Study will benchmark state's manufacturers on world-class manufacturing practices and strategies
State's manufacturers urged to participate
PEORIA, Ill., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A ground breaking research study to
assess the progress of state's manufacturers in adopting strategies to win in
the global economy was launched today by IMEC. The study is part of a national
survey being sponsored by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition as a
first step in a long-term effort to help Illinois and all U.S. manufacturers
to weather today's recession and improve manufacturing competitiveness over
the next decade. The web-based Next Generation Manufacturing Study
questionnaire can be accessed at http://www.NGMStudy-Illinois.com.
Any manufacturing owner, CEO or senior level executive is eligible to
participate. Participation in the study is confidential and takes
approximately 30 minutes to complete. Responses can also be anonymous.
Deadline for participation is March 15, 2009. Study participants will receive
a customized benchmarking report comparing their progress to the overall
results as well as to other respondents of similar revenue and number of
employees.
The study asks manufacturers to rank their progress toward the world-class
performance benchmarks of Next Generation Manufacturing, a framework of
strategies that will drive manufacturing growth and profitability in the 21st
century. The elements of Next Generation Manufacturing include customer-
focused innovation, systemic continuous improvement, advanced talent
management, global engagement, extended enterprise management and sustainable
products and processes.
"What we see here in the U.S. and around the globe is that the adoption of
these strategies aligns with better business performance," said John Brandt,
CEO of the Manufacturing Performance Institute (MPI), a global research firm
that is conducting the study. Brandt noted that a recent Wisconsin study of
more than 500 manufacturers confirmed the strong correlation between next
generation strategies and readiness to compete globally.
"Especially in tough economic conditions, progressive manufacturers are
looking for new approaches to differentiate themselves and win market share,"
said Lachlan Perks, Vice President of Rockford-based Eclipse, and Chairman of
IMEC's Board of Directors. "One important step in the growth process is to
assess where your company stands against companies which have implemented
leading-edge business strategies. The Next Generation Manufacturing Study
will give us this comparison and I strongly encourage manufacturing leaders
in Illinois to participate."
The study results will provide a wealth of valuable data for
manufacturers, business leaders and state and national policymakers.
Manufacturers can see how they rank against world-class performance
benchmarks, and target improvements where needed. The results will also
provide information for use by IMEC and Illinois economic development
policymakers strengthen and improve programs and services supporting
manufacturers.
"The study results will provide a scorecard that will enable
manufacturers to compare their operations and strategies with other companies
in Illinois and throughout the U.S.," said Bob Weinstein, IMEC President.
The study is part of a coordinated multi-state effort that will include
manufacturers throughout the country. "It's an opportunity to strengthen and
improve the Illinois' manufacturing base and achieve a long-term competitive
advantage across all industries and sectors," continued Weinstein. "With the
change in administration and attention focused on industry, manufacturers in
this state who participate in the survey will have an unprecedented
opportunity to shape programs that will provide them with the resources and
support that they truly need to accelerate their success."
Currently manufacturing is the single largest contributing sector to the
state's economy at roughly 13 percent of state GDP. Illinois is the nation's
4th largest industrial state, with Value Added manufacturing reaching $94.1
billion.
Partners for the study include the State of Illinois, Employers
Association, the Peoria Area Economic Development Council's Manufacturing
Strategy Team, the Rockford Manufacturers Council, Illinois Manufacturers'
Association, and the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association. For more
information on the Next Generation Manufacturing Study, call Tucker Kennedy,
at 309-677-4633.
About IMEC
Globalization has created a fiercely competitive environment for domestic
manufacturers. Firms of all sizes, and particularly smaller firms in
particular are challenged by a fast-paced market with high demands for
quality, cost and delivery. Since 1996, IMEC (the Illinois Manufacturing
Extension Center) has helped Illinois' manufacturers meet these challenges and
many more. IMEC's team of 32 manufacturing specialists assists more than 400
manufacturers each year. Major solutions include operating cost reduction,
quality improvement, continuous improvement (Lean/6 sigma), technology &
innovation, and growth strategies. IMEC is a non-profit corporation with 10
office locations throughout Illinois. IMEC is part of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership, with over
1,400 manufacturing specialists throughout the U.S. IMEC's headquarters is
located in Peoria at Bradley University.
