For Sam and Karissa Hunt, working with the CIRAS APEX Accelerator program has been a family affair. Sam is the owner of Hunter Quality Contracting, a mulching, land-clearing, and timber maintenance company. He connected with Julie Fagle, an APEX government contracting specialist, three years ago for assistance. She proved to be so helpful that he … Continue reading From Dream to Success: How Apex Helped A Family Business Thrive
Sometimes, finding the best solution requires first identifying what isn’t the solution. That was the case at Paper Systems in Des Moines. Paper Systems manufactures liquid bulk packaging— cleverly designed bags enclosed in recyclable, disposable cardboard boxes, making the transport of nonhazardous liquids more convenient and economical. The company aimed to streamline the box-laminating process … Continue reading Paper Systems Automates In-house Process, Saves $118,000 Annually with CIRAS Guidance
Based in Peosta, Mi-T-M Corporation specializes in industrial equipment, including pressure washers, air compressors, and generators. Many parts go through a deburring process, which can cause production bottlenecks. Mi-T-M was considering purchasing an automatic deburring machine but needed assurance that it was the right financial move. They also wanted to know if it would help … Continue reading Iowa State Capstone Project Helps Manufacturer with Key Production Decision
For more than a decade, Walsh Door & Security has relied on CIRAS as a trusted partner, leveraging its expertise to enhance operations, improve employee retention, and design innovative solutions tailored to the company’s evolving needs. That has been Walsh Door & Security’s experience with CIRAS. They’ve found CIRAS to be an ideal one-stop shop, … Continue reading Retaining Talent and Expanding Capabilities Collaboration for Workforce Excellence and Facility Innovation
Attending a lab tour of the CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab Powered by Alliant Energy proved invaluable for Mid-States Steel Corporation when they faced a critical equipment issue. “It was a great use of our time,” said Duane Vander Weff, purchasing manager. “The tour exposed us to technologies we wouldn’t usually encounter, which proved crucial when … Continue reading Mid-States Steel Overcomes Critical Equipment Failure with CIRAS Support
The Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) Annual Conference remains Iowa’s premier event for continuous improvement professionals. Three hundred forty attendees from 96 organizations participated in this year’s event on October 24 in Altoona. Organizers attribute the event’s continued success to three key factors: engaging keynote speakers, breakout sessions led by national experts and local members, and … Continue reading ILC Annual Conference Delivers Continued Success
For Iowa companies ready to expand internationally, having a strategic export plan is essential for effectively reaching new markets. CIRAS offers ExporTech, a structured 12- week program equipping companies with insights and resources to grow exports in a targeted, intentional way. ExporTech provides companies with a blueprint to enter or expand their presence in international … Continue reading ExporTech: Building a Strategic Path for Export Success
Nestlé Purina, a manufacturer of dog and cat food and treats located in Clinton, was ready to address some long-standing factory improvement needs. They chose a path that has proven beneficial for many CIRAS clients: a capstone project involving Iowa State University College of Engineering students. “Having new perspectives to review our processes was beneficial, … Continue reading Iowa State University Students Drive $3.1 Million in Improvements for Nestlé Purina
Mental health awareness is gaining momentum, especially in construction, where high stress, long hours, and physical demands create significant challenges. Workers in this industry face unique pressures, including physically intense tasks, tight deadlines, rising costs, and dangerous conditions. This mix often leads to heightened stress, anxiety, burnout, decreased productivity, and compromised safety if left unaddressed. … Continue reading Mental Health in Construction: Building a Resilient Workforce
The construction industry and the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) understand the importance of maintaining qualified employees in the construction workforce. Better trained and more qualified workers produce a higher quality product. Experienced workers retire and skilled people to replace them are difficult to find. As a result, training employees working on Iowa DOT let … Continue reading Navigating Construction Industry Training (CIT) Funding Reimbursement: A Step-by-Step Guide