CIRAS News: Meet Mark Facile

Mark Facile has joined CIRAS as a project manager specializing in productivity. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Iowa State University and a master of business administration from Drake University. He joins CIRAS after spending more than 27 years in manufacturing, using his broad engineering experience to improve process efficiencies and drive … Continue reading CIRAS News: Meet Mark Facile

Marketwise Helps Leaders Face Challenges Together

A networking group launched seven years ago by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry in partnership with CIRAS continues to help its members learn from people who do the same work they do. MarketWise provides marketing and sales leaders opportunities to expand their skills through education, shared experiences, and best practices with their peers. … Continue reading Marketwise Helps Leaders Face Challenges Together

Did you know? There is a Resource Available to Help You Understand Doing Business with Other States

By Julie Fagle In recent weeks we have been discussing doing business with state/local Governments, some specific options for the surrounding states including their direct websites, as well as the relationship driven nature of marketing and contracting with these organizations.  There is also a resource available to help you develop these potential customers even further … Continue reading Did you know? There is a Resource Available to Help You Understand Doing Business with Other States

2021 DBE Conference Debrief

A conference focused on connecting Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) with numerous resource partners was held November 3 in Des Moines. The well-attended event provided opportunities for businesses to learn best practices, meet and identify potential business partners, increase their business exposure with other DBE companies, and collaborate with other contractors. CIRAS partnered with the Iowa … Continue reading 2021 DBE Conference Debrief

COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson Ensure Best Practices during Pandemic

Like most responsible companies navigating a pandemic, Larson Manufacturing worked hard to secure its Lake Mills manufacturing facility against COVID-19. Among other things, and the company posted signs, upgraded its cleaning procedures, and installed social distancing barriers. But was that enough? To make certain, Larson last summer became one of Iowa’s first companies to receive … Continue reading COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson Ensure Best Practices during Pandemic

CIRAS Expands Supplier Scouting Capabilities through IEDA Partnership

By Melissa Burant The risks of having a global supply chain have never been more apparent. Severe weather events, the pandemic, and geopolitical issues have disrupted the global supply chain. The impacts of this are felt by every Iowa manufacturer. Finding new suppliers, especially local ones, is hard. A Google search is a great starting … Continue reading CIRAS Expands Supplier Scouting Capabilities through IEDA Partnership

X-ray Imaging Positions PowerFilm to Quickly Fix Potential Problem

An Ames manufacturer of solar panels avoided scrapping $30,000 of incorrect work after Iowa State University experts helped the company find a way to inspect 750 problem panels for a potential defect. Dan Stieler, president of PowerFilm, said he turned to CIRAS and Iowa State’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) after discovering that one of … Continue reading X-ray Imaging Positions PowerFilm to Quickly Fix Potential Problem

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