Manufacturing Hub
Women in Manufacturing

Helping companies grow, diversify and stay competitive

QC, That's Where our manufacturing industry is forged in a legacy of agricultural innovation and excellence in automation integration. Local manufacturers can feel confident that the Chamber is a constant advocate for the industry and a connector for new businesses and investment in the QC.

The Quad Cities Chamber is one of four Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium (ILDMC) community members who share a grant to help local manufacturing companies and defense contractors grow. Through our Manufacturing Hub programs and services, we connect our industry partners to resources and incentives to help you gain a competitive advantage with civilian and government contracting opportunities. We want to uncover opportunities, promote best practices, support professional development and reinforce the organic industrial base in the Quad Cities.

  • Our outreach efforts are focused on identifying issues, supporting operational excellence, encouraging investment in innovative technologies and developing a workforce inclusive of underrepresented populations.
  • Your manufacturing business can benefit from our access to a network of industry partners interested in research and development, prototyping, government contracting, education and training, centers of excellence and manufacturing extension partnerships to help you take your business to the next level.

Get involved with the Manufacturing Hub to access 

  • Outreach visits focused on providing introductions to resources for technical assistance, workforce development, supply chain, innovative technologies, education and training programs, financial incentives, business expansion, international trade, government contracting, and local/state economic development partners.
  • Potential government contracting business and recommended partnership opportunities through the Supply Chain Mapping Tool.
  • Financial resource awareness and assistance. 
  • Introductions to workforce partners. 
  • Introductions to education and training partners.
  • Connections to America Makes and ASTRO America

Manufacturing Hub events

Manufacturing Hub events are designed to convene local manufacturers for networking and industry-specific programming. The goal is to connect with one another and discover partnerships, resources, technologies and markets that will be key to industry growth now and into the future. Events are sponsored by Assured Partners and Rouse Consulting Group.

  • Hub Huddles are morning sessions to connect on topics most pressing for manufacturers and to meet peers, partners and suppliers critical for business growth. See the event calendar for the next Hub Huddle. 
  • Hub Brews are late afternoon open networking gatherings focused on peer-to-peer conversations and business development. See the event calendar for the next Hub Brew.
  • Women in Manufacturing Peer Roundtable Group is a confidential structured discussion group that provides a platform in which you can examine business challenges, discuss economic and employment issues and build relationships with a network of supportive peers.  

The bi-state Quad Cities region is served by two manufacturing extension partnerships (MEP): the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS).


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CIRAS

CIRAS is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University, Ames. Since 1963, CIRAS has delivered proven services to enhance the performance of the industry in Iowa through applied research, education and technical assistance. 

The CIRAS approach "Engage. Educated. Embed." creates specific solutions that allow each business along with its community to prosper and grow. A vast network of university and industry experts bring years of professional experience to CIRAS, making them the leading solutions integrator in Iowa.

Services and assistance available:


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IMEC

IMEC has 6 locations throughout Illinois and is headquartered at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. IMEC’s team of improvement specialists and technicians provides organizations in Illinois with the tools and techniques to create sustainable competitive futures. The experienced hands-on team at IMEC works closely with its clients to plan critical business improvements in the areas of leadership, strategy, customer engagement, operations and workforce.

With more than 50 full-time staff and partners positioned statewide, IMEC assists more than 700 companies each year with successful business improvement projects.

Services available:

  • Customer engagement: competitive marketing intelligence, sales training, marketing, lean product development, customer relationship management
  • Leadership: change management, financial planning, executive coaching, succession planning
  • Operations: automation, rapid prototyping, supplier research, sustainability
  • Strategy: policy, risk assessment, strategic planning
  • Technology: Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, R&D
  • Workforce: change management, training
Chris Caves
Contact
Chris Caves
Vice President, Business & Economic Growth
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