Taylor Construction, based in New Vienna, Iowa, has emerged as a key player in the state’s road and bridge infrastructure development. Under the leadership of Krista Thier, president of Taylor Construction, the company has grown steadily through strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to community and collaboration. Thier, who holds a background in business, joined … Continue reading Building Bridges to Success in Government Contracting
M’s Machine and Manufacturing, based in Monona, produces precision metal and plastic parts for the agricultural, asphalt, automotive, and electrical industries. Keeping up with demand during peak production had become a challenge due to labor shortages and the time-consuming process of changeovers on intricate lathes. The company has nine lathes, each averaging 75 changeovers per … Continue reading Beyond Automation: M’s Machine Invests in People to Improve Productivity
CIRAS exists to make Iowa industry better. For more than 60 years, we’ve worked alongside Iowa leaders, providing perspective, expertise, and connections to help you make informed decisions and implement change. Today’s business environment can feel like walking through dense fog. You know where you’re trying to go, but the path forward isn’t always clear. … Continue reading Director’s Update
CIRAS recently expanded its Digital Manufacturing Laboratory Powered by Alliant Energy, offering Iowa companies even more opportunities to explore how Industry 4.0 technologies can address their unique challenges. At the lab, visitors are invited to discuss specific pain points, test various technologies, and determine a path forward with support from CIRAS staff. The lab showcases … Continue reading Learn, Test, Innovate: Inside the CIRAS Digital Lab Powered by Alliant Energy
The first affordable consumer microwave oven, the Amana Radarange®, became available in 1967. Today, Accelerated Cooking Products (ACP), based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, produces commercial microwave ovens under the Amana® brand and others for the professional food-service industry. That commitment to reliable, high-performance products remains unchanged. Casual dining and quick-serve restaurants worldwide depend on Amana … Continue reading Capstone Program Helps ACP Develop Affordable, Efficient Proof of Concept
American Power Systems (APS), a leading supplier of DC-power solutions, partnered with CIRAS to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system. The Davenport, Iowa-based company pursued this internationally recognized standard to demonstrate its commitment to quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The rigorous certification process included on-site audits and extensive reviews of policies and … Continue reading American Power Systems Boosts Quality and Efficiency by Achieving ISO Certification
The Midwest Manufacturing Competimates is a networking event designed for people who may be wary of traditional networking. Held in eastern Iowa, the CIRAS-hosted one-day event turns manufacturing competitors into collaborators—and removes the awkwardness that often accompanies networking. Attendance is capped at 100, allowing participants to meet everyone in the room. Connections and conversations are … Continue reading From Competitors to Collaborators: How Manufacturers Are Networking with Purpose
Giving feedback at work is never easy, but it can be better. That’s the message behind The Civil Feedback Toolkit: Speak Up, Build Up, a recent CIRAS virtual event featuring speaker Mike Wagner. The session helped leaders and employees alike develop tools for providing feedback in a way that is direct, respectful, and constructive. … Continue reading How to Give Feedback That Builds Up, Not Breaks Down
If you are involved in federal government contracting, you’re probably familiar with North American Industry Classification System Codes, better known as NAICS codes. But government buyers also use a lesser-known type of code, called Product and Service Codes, or PSCs. For contractors, understanding PSCs and effectively using them in their public profiles, capability statements, and … Continue reading Understanding and Effectively Using Product and Service Codes
What DBE Firms Need to Know Starting July 1, 2025, Iowa drivers will be required to go hands-free. The new law prohibits holding or manually operating a phone or other electronic device while driving. This effort is aimed at improving road safety and reducing distracted driving—a critical concern for companies that spend significant time on … Continue reading New Iowa Hands-Free Law Takes Effect July 1, 2025