ISU and DMACC Announce New Venture to Help Manufacturers
Posted 08/23/07

The Iowa State University Extension Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) have announced a new joint venture that will provide central Iowa businesses with engineering education and workforce development services.

“This enhanced partnership will allow us to offer a broader array of educational services and improve communication between our staff,” said Larry Grubisich, Executive Director of DMACC Business and Industry Training.

He said this venture will help companies increase profitability through assistance and mentoring in their LEAN manufacturing journey.  DMACC will provide the necessary training while ISU will provide the mentoring and coaching of the companies through this process.

“The assistance will be offered to central Iowa manufacturers of all sizes from those with only two employees up to Fortune 100 companies,” said Grubisich. 

DMACC and CIRAS will work to identify those businesses willing to receive their services.

CIRAS Director Ron Cox said this collaborative venture will assist central Iowa businesses in several ways.

“Part of our work will be targeted at companies that want to begin a transformational journey to decrease costs and increase market share so that they can better compete in a global marketplace,” said Cox.

The DMACC/CIRAS relationship will include shared professional positions and development of new curricula. Services will range from early skill training and LEAN implementation to access to engineering technology and new market-growth programs.

There will be additional opportunities for businesses in advanced manufacturing and biosciences as well as traditional manufacturers. CIRAS and DMACC can leverage federal and state resources to help support the training and engineering education needs of companies. There are also special opportunities for companies with less than 500 employees and for rural manufacturers.

“The potential to make a significant difference in a company’s success and bottom line is there, we just need to approach it with the combined strength of ISU and DMACC” said Rob Denson, DMACC President.

Companies interested in exploring this opportunity should contact Joe Papp, an account manager for CIRAS at jpapp@isstate.edu or (515) 231-1452 or Larry Grubisich at lsgrubisich@dmacc.edu or  (515) 965-7064.

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