Government Contracting Specialist Spotlight: Beth White
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:
Iowa Vendor Conference Answers Questions, Offers Guidance
Mark Baker eventually concluded that government contracting was worth a shot.
No, the CEO of Des Moines-based Endless Supplies Corporation acknowledged, it was probably not going to become his company’s primary business strategy. Becker still has difficulty reconciling the fast-moving, products-always-changing world of information technology with sometimes-lengthy government procurement processes. But after a full day at the Iowa Events Center last fall spent hopping between educational presentations and asking questions of the speakers, Becker concluded that Endless Supplies ought to at least get certified so his company can show that it’s ready and able to do business with the government.
CIRAS joins with American Welding Society (Iowa) to host Successful Seminar
A partnership between the American Welding Society’s Iowa Section and CIRAS’ problem-solving metallurgists led to record attendance at an April event aimed at educating engineers about the best ways to design long-lasting products.
Iowa’s Governor Officially Launches ‘Year of Manufacturing’ Initiative
Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and a host of other Iowa governmental and business leaders have unveiled a plan to boost Iowa factories during a “Year of Manufacturing.”
The Year of Manufacturing initiative, which was announced in January during Branstad’s Condition of the State address, is designed to be a 12-month, concentrated focus on improving Iowa’s manufacturing Gross Domestic Product. Led by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and CIRAS, business leaders plan to fan out across the state to visit with companies and make certain that each firm is aware of the resources available to help them improve.
CIRAS Helps Frog Legs Make Smooth Transition to Carbon Fiber Wheelchair Wheels
An Iowa manufacturer of wheelchair wheels and caster forks has begun selling stronger and lighter versions of those products—thanks partly to CIRAS’ help in testing and refining what the company describes as “the world’s first carbon fiber wheel set.”
Ottumwa-based Frog Legs Inc., which has sold aluminum wheelchair wheels and suspensions since 1997, began selling a new carbon fiber version of its products earlier this year.
Account Manager Spotlight: Sean Galleger
CIRAS account managers know a lot about Iowa businesses. Here are a few questions and answers to help you learn a little more about them:
Partner Spotlight: Iowa Sustainable Business Forum
Continuing our sustainability theme in line with Earth Day on April 22, today, we’re highlighting one of our newest partners, the Iowa Sustainable Business Forum (ISBF).
CIRAS Assessment Finds That Iowa Manufacturers Need Strategy, Technology Help
Iowa manufacturers need help developing strategies, exploring new markets, implementing proven ways of dealing with workforce constraints, and wielding technology as a competitive advantage.
Service Spotlight: Sustainability
With Earth Day on April 22, we wanted to take this time to remind companies of a few different ways we can help Iowa businesses with environmental sustainability.
Resource Spotlight: Expert Advice on Exporting
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.