Organizations, Programs + Podcasts Supporting Illinois Manufacturing
As an Illinois manufacturer, you have many valuable resources available. Here are some of the most beneficial organizations, programs and podcasts you should consider while growing your manufacturing business.
Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center
As a public-private partnership, the IMEC team provides manufacturers throughout Illinois with the tools and techniques necessary to ignite Illinois manufacturing excellence and global competitiveness. Offering insight and guidance across many sectors of manufacturing, IMEC enables companies of all sizes to acquire training, certifications, and strategic planning to reach their growth goals.
IMEC at-a-glance:
- Demonstrated ROI exceeding 19:1
- Assists more than 1100 Illinois manufacturers annually
- Average cost savings of $79,640
Technology & Manufacturing Association
As an independent trade organization, TMA focuses exclusively on assisting and promoting small and mid-size manufacturers in all aspects of their business.
TMA at-a-glance:
- Advocacy to create a positive image of the manufacturing industry
- Provide manufacturers with value-added programs to support their path to success
- Developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals with philanthropic programs
Valley Industrial Association
As a manufacturing membership organization founded nearly 120 years ago, VIA serves the entire industrial sector of the industry, including logistics and warehousing. VIA provides resources for members in three distinct aspects: Tools for Best Practices, Education, and Connections for Growth.
VIA at-a-glance:
- Benchmarking program encouraging year-over-year measurement and growth
- Excellence-focused programs to support company growth strategies
- Survey Data, Hotline Support, Health Plan Options and Partnership Discounts for members
PROGRAMS
MADE IN ILLINOIS PEER COMMUNITY
The MADE IN ILLINOIS Peer Community brings manufacturing companies, colleagues and industry experts together in one, incredible online experience. This community supports a collaborative platform with Virtual Forums, Peer-to-Peer Connections, high-impact Events and industry-specific tools in the KnowledgeHub.
WOMEN IN TMA Grant for Women in Manufacturing
The WOMEN IN TMA organization assists women in advancing their manufacturing careers. As a hallmark program, The Women in TMA Grant for Women in Manufacturing, addresses the unique barriers women often face within the manufacturing industry and provides support for women as they pursue additional training, equipment, or other resource needs in their manufacturing career development.
To learn more about financially supporting this program, click here. To apply for The Women in TMA Grant for Women in Manufacturing, please look here.
BENCHMARKING FOR EXCELLENCE SURVEY
Benchmarking is an integral methodology for measuring and encouraging company growth. Valley Industrial Association has developed the VIA Benchmarking for Excellence Survey, providing manufacturing companies an online tool for measuring their achievements in these key areas: Company Culture, Innovation, Operational Excellence, Safety, Social Responsibility and Workforce Development. The Survey serves as both a benchmarking tool and a roadmap. By identifying accomplishments throughout the year, companies create a strategic plan and path to excellence for continued growth. This Survey is available for any company to review and through membership in VIA, companies can submit their Survey for consideration in the annual VIA Spark Awards, a celebration of benchmark accomplishments.
Details on the VIA Benchmarking for Excellence Survey can be found here.
