A key part of the workforce solution for Iowa businesses is building a pipeline of talent. Taking that first step can be overwhelming for small businesses. “Companies recognize that engaging with high school students can help build a future workforce, but most lack a focused strategy on how to effectively reach younger people,” said Mayra … Continue reading Building The Workforce of The Future
Tag: CIRAS News
CIRAS Marks 60 Years of Service
This year the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) celebrates its 60th anniversary. The Board of Regents and Iowa legislature established CIRAS in 1963 to counsel industry on special problems, advise on appropriate procedures for growth, and conduct research and testing programs where necessary. In the last 10 years alone, CIRAS has had a … Continue reading CIRAS Marks 60 Years of Service
ALMACO Preserves Heritage with Advanced Technologies
Sometimes it takes the latest technology to restore some of the oldest things. CIRAS recently partnered with ALMACO in Nevada to recreate ornate metalwork on Nevada’s Briggs Terrace-Evergreen Lane house, which was built in 1879 and is on the National Historic Register. During the 2020 derecho, a tree fell into the front porch, damaging its … Continue reading ALMACO Preserves Heritage with Advanced Technologies
Climbing the Government Contract Ladder
ePATHUSA, an Iowa software consulting and staff augmentation firm, has achieved remarkable success as a federal contractor, securing the 2023 National Small Woman-Owned Business of the Year award from the National 8(a) Association and HUBZone Contractors National Council. They are now well positioned to pursue contracts with the Department of Defense. Graduating from their … Continue reading Climbing the Government Contract Ladder
Partnership with APEX Pays Off
Bryan Christopherson, Midwest regional manager at Floodproofing.com, attended the 2022 Small Business Industry Day at Rock Island Arsenal hoping to learn more about doing business with the federal government. It didn’t take him long to connect with Julie Fagle, a government contracting specialist with CIRAS. With her guidance, Floodproofing.com was eventually awarded a $236,000 … Continue reading Partnership with APEX Pays Off
Addressing Production Issues in Advance Saves Time, Money
A Dyersville manufacturer is saving time and money by implementing a strategy that identifies potential breakdowns before they occur. JEDA Polymers, maker of engineered resins for the injection molding industry, was using a “homegrown solution” to anticipate issues in their extrusion lines. Though their efforts were moderately successful, the company couldn’t resolve all their issues … Continue reading Addressing Production Issues in Advance Saves Time, Money
Candymaker Finds Sweet Success
An enticing aroma greets you at the Fairy Tale Cotton Candy factory in Des Moines. It’s sugar, but it could also be considered the sweet smell of success. Inside the factory, more than 50 varieties of cotton candy are produced and shipped far and wide to small stores and big box outlets, and under private … Continue reading Candymaker Finds Sweet Success
COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson Ensure Best Practices during Pandemic
Like most responsible companies navigating a pandemic, Larson Manufacturing worked hard to secure its Lake Mills manufacturing facility against COVID-19. Among other things, and the company posted signs, upgraded its cleaning procedures, and installed social distancing barriers. But was that enough? To make certain, Larson last summer became one of Iowa’s first companies to receive … Continue reading COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson Ensure Best Practices during Pandemic
CIRAS Helps Goodwill Assemblers Get More Efficient
One of the manufacturing arms of a Cedar Rapids job-training agency increased revenue by $675 per day after CIRAS helped make one of its assembly lines more efficient. Tom Cavanagh, production manager for Goodwill of the Heartland, said he sought help from CIRAS last summer out of concern that Goodwill wouldn’t be able to meet … Continue reading CIRAS Helps Goodwill Assemblers Get More Efficient
Schramm Electric Plants Seeds, Reaps Derecho Contract
A Sioux City electrical firm landed more than $190,000 in state contracts after their owners followed CIRAS advice to register as a vendor with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security. Stephanie Schramm, office manager at Schramm Electric, said her company has a long history of dealing closely with the CIRAS Procurement Technical Assistance Center. So that was the first place the Schramm family looked for answers in early 2020 when they had questions about how to register for business with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).