Navigating Iowa DOT’s Bidding Opportunities: A Step-by-Step Guide

• gmallen

If you’re looking to do business with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), it’s important to understand the two distinct bidding opportunities available: Purchasing and Contracts & Specifications Bureau. Each has its own processes, requirements, and focus areas, and neither intersects with the other. 1. Iowa DOT Purchasing The Iowa DOT Purchasing division manages bids … Continue reading Navigating Iowa DOT’s Bidding Opportunities: A Step-by-Step Guide

CIRAS Is a Quality Connection for Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer

• jmearp

Company History In 1988, Kooima Company started making replacement parts for agricultural equipment in a 1,200-square-foot rented building. At that time, their inventory included one part number. The company has since grown and now has 4,000 different part numbers. About five years ago, Kooima Ag split from Kooima Company. A leading agriculture knife maker, Kooima … Continue reading CIRAS Is a Quality Connection for Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer

Unlock Short-Term Engineering Expertise: How Iowa Companies Can Benefit from International Student Talent

• jmearp

Imagine hiring a trained engineer for a short-term project without long-term commitments. CIRAS connects Iowa companies with international engineering graduate students through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. “CPT and OPT offer Iowa companies the chance to hire degreed engineers for defined periods, without long-term commitments,” says Gary Mirka, director of … Continue reading Unlock Short-Term Engineering Expertise: How Iowa Companies Can Benefit from International Student Talent

Challenge to Innovation: Timberline Manufacturing Overcomes Workforce Shortages With Automation Support

• jmearp

Timberline Manufacturing faced a difficult challenge. The Marion-based electronics contract manufacturer, like many employers in today’s economy, struggled to find assembly-line employees for its wire harness department. As a solution, they began exploring ways to augment their current workforce putting together the harnesses, which organize and protect electrical wires. Wire harnesses are just one of … Continue reading Challenge to Innovation: Timberline Manufacturing Overcomes Workforce Shortages With Automation Support

Leadership, Change Speakers to Headline ILC Annual Conference in 2024

• jmearp

At the Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) Annual Conference in 2023, an exhibitor told Tracy Schuster, ILC program director, that they had never seen so much hugging at a conference. “People enjoy this conference because they connect with friends and meet like-minded people who understand the challenges they face in their work of improving people, processes, … Continue reading Leadership, Change Speakers to Headline ILC Annual Conference in 2024

Innovative Work Aids Reduce Physical Strain on Employees

• jmearp

A growing number of employees prioritize supportive work environments equipped with the right tools for safe performance. Category 5 of the Baldrige Excellence Framework® highlights this trend, revealing a shift in employee preferences that, combined with Iowa’s population demographics, presents both challenges and opportunities for companies. To attract and retain employees, especially those beyond the … Continue reading Innovative Work Aids Reduce Physical Strain on Employees

Elevating Quality and Supply Chain Resilience

• jmearp

As Puck Custom Enterprises, a Manning-based manufacturer of liquid transfer equipment, continues to grow, they need to ensure their business practices continue to meet their needs. Recently, this meant upgrading their quality systems and their approaches to managing their supply chain. “We are always striving to produce a higher quality product, and after being in … Continue reading Elevating Quality and Supply Chain Resilience

Online Assessment Supports Workforce Attraction and Retention

• jmearp

Iowa companies looking to meet the evolving needs and expectations of their current and future workforce now have a valuable tool offered by CIRAS. The Job Quality Assessment online self-assessment enables companies to identify their strengths and opportunities. Using the assessment results, companies can work with CIRAS advisors to develop effective workforce strategies that improve … Continue reading Online Assessment Supports Workforce Attraction and Retention

APEX: Your First Call for Government Contracting Support

• jmearp

The general manager of an Iowa cleaning company was ready to throw in the towel on government work until someone suggested connecting with CIRAS. “I was passed from person to person and organization to organization until someone finally mentioned CIRAS,” said Brent Hugen of Absolute Cleaning Systems. “I decided I’d make one more call, and … Continue reading APEX: Your First Call for Government Contracting Support

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