Center for Industrial Research and Service • Iowa State University

Resource Spotlight: Expert Advice on Exporting

March 27, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

Only about 15 percent of small- to mid-sized manufacturers in Iowa consider exports as one of their top three growth strategies. Yet in most industries, there are substantial opportunities for growth and profit outside of the United States.

  One of the leading reasons that companies, especially smaller ones, avoid exporting is the potential complexity and risk associated with international sales. In Iowa, we have a great set of resources to help de-risk the process at any stage.

Iowa State Capstone Students Find Companies Savings, New Efficiencies

March 23, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

Workers at a Des Moines maker of fuel and lubricant delivery trucks now have more efficient workstations thanks to ongoing ties to students at Iowa State University.

Government Contracting Specalist Spotlight: Andy Alexander

March 20, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

CIRAS government contracting specialists know a lot about Iowa businesses. Here are a few questions and answers to help you learn a little more about them:

New EDM Will Help Students, CIRAS Additive Manufacturing Projects

March 16, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

Iowa State University students have gained even more valuable experience with manufacturing technology thanks to CIRAS’ recent purchase of an electrical discharge machine (EDM).

Partner Spotlight: Iowa Economic Development Authority (TSB)

March 13, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) offers a variety of programs and services to individuals, communities and businesses to attract and grow business, employment and workforce in Iowa.  One of these programs is Iowa’s Targeted Small Business (TSB) program, which is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa. 

CIRAS Food Industry Survey Shows Diversity, Interest in Improvement

March 9, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

The Iowa companies manufacturing human and animal food are mostly small firms with well-established histories. Despite that history, some appear to be ripe for large-scale change.

Service Highlight: Productivity (and getting recognition for it)

March 6, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

Every manufacturer has tried to get better. Many have set goals to be great. Some even aim for world class.

Iowa manufacturers have employed a variety of tools to get there: Lean, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, Total Quality Management, and countless others.

But how do you know if you are “there”? What is great? What is world class? Here are three ways to measure yourself against the best in the nation and potentially get global recognition for your achievements:

‘MFG Day’ Means Iowans Learning about Manufacturing

March 2, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

Thanks to CIRAS and its partners, more than 8,000 Iowans ended October with a greater appreciation for the people who make a living making things.

CIRAS Service Spotlight: SWOT

March 1, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

It sounds so basic: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. SWOT. We’ve all heard it before, but few of us stop to take the time to do this critical first-step of strategic planning correctly.

CIRAS Resource Highlight: Small Business Development Centers

February 22, 2017 • Jeff Eckhoff

There are a vast number of resources available to Iowa businesses. One of the roles of CIRAS is to help companies connect with the right one of those resources at the right time. One entity that CIRAS partners with a great deal is the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).