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Helping business and industry succeed Two organizations at Iowa State University Extension help Iowa businesses and industries succeed. The Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership (IMEP) and the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) strengthen the state’s business climate by helping companies improve their systems and products. IMEP provides support to small- and mid-sized manufacturers through technical and business assistance, assessments, training and awareness events. IMEP account managers, a network of professionals across Iowa, help answer client questions, identify areas for improvement and provide links to resources that companies can use to increase productivity and competitiveness. CIRAS specialists, located around the state, provide educational seminars and individualized technical assistance to Iowa’s 5,000 manufacturers in the areas of engineering, management practices, procurement, productivity and quality management. In 2003 CIRAS celebrated 40 years of providing knowledge and assistance to Iowa business and industry. IMEP and CIRAS have produced an annual financial impact on Iowa manufacturers
in excess of • Clients reported that as a result of IMEP assistance they retained 870 jobs and created 548 jobs. CIRAS helped companies across Iowa obtain federal contracts valued at nearly $23 million. The Department of Defense estimates that these contracts resulted in creation and/or retention of 546 jobs in Iowa. • CIRAS assisted Centerville Machining Inc. with its management techniques, improving cash flow and reducing lead-time. These efforts resulted in annual cost savings of $290,000 and increased sales of $440,000. In addition, 12 jobs were saved. • IMEP trained more than 6,000 employees in LEAN principles over the past two years. LEAN helps companies eliminate waste so they can produce more with less. • Mastercraft called on CIRAS for assistance with moving its production facility from Omaha to Council Bluffs. CIRAS specialists worked with the company on a plant simulation and layout process. As a result, the company moved to a new, more efficient plant approximately half the size of the former facility. The relocation created 50 jobs in Iowa and investments of more than $2 million in plant operations and equipment. • IMEP and CIRAS partnered with Iowa Energy Center and MidAmerican Energy in a U.S. Department of Energy plant-wide assessment of North Star Steel Iowa in Wilton. The team identified potential savings of more than $1 million. The project will serve as a case study for all steel producing mini-mills. • IMEP ranks first in bottom-line impact, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). IMEP outranked 59 similar centers nationwide. • Extension and CIRAS conducted the Iowa Industries of the Future project in 2002. More than 500 farmers, industry leaders, economic development professionals, environmental advocates and public officials developed a vision and roadmap to develop the bioeconomy in Iowa. Gov. Tom Vilsack formally adopted the plan in June 2003. As a result, BIOWA was formed, a new nonprofit trade association. Goals include developing at least 10 regional biorefineries in Iowa by 2020, building at least five new bio-businesses per year or expanding existing bio-businesses, and providing investment and employment opportunities. • In 2003, IMEP received notification from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that the IMEP “ranked first in the overall MEP system in bottom-line impact.” This is from a benchmarking against 59 other centers nationwide. |
Annual Report Edition homepage The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension. Send a message: Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures Last update: January 2004
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