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Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

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IMEC is a team of improvement specialists and technicians dedicated to providing 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, Customers, Operations, Workforce, and Results.

With more than 50 full-time staff and partners positioned statewide, IMEC delivers the local expertise to not only PLAN and strategize, but to IMPLEMENT those processes and EXCEL the effectiveness of client improvements. In fact, IMEC assists more than 700 companies each year with successful business improvement projects. As a result, IMEC has demonstrated a return on investment that exceeds 19:1. This is made possible as organizations become more effective and efficient - and together with IMEC – grow their competitive futures. 

Manufacturers throughout the state of Illinois have turned to IMEC to help tackle some of the industry’s most difficult topics like:  Skilled Labor, Continuous Improvement, Technology, Risk Management, Leadership Development, Supply Chain, Process Design, and much more!

View the One Pager for Illinois

Success Stories

Manufacturer Connects with IMEC to Help Develop a Continuous Improvement Process

Reported Year
2025
Founded in 1883, Rutland became a leading manufacturer of products for fireplace, chimney, and stove maintenance. Over the past 140+ years, Rutland has grown from a small family-owned business in Rutland, Vermont, into an industry-leading manufacturer. Its headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Jacksonville, Illinois. Rutland products are

Lean Daily Management System Implementation Improves Workforce Culture

Reported Year
2025
Meyer Tool, a precision manufacturing company serving advanced industries, saw an opportunity to strengthen its competitive edge by improving internal operations and building a resilient culture of continuous improvement. To expand its OEM customer base, including new ventures into quantum computing, leadership recognized that sustainable growth

Leading Precision Die-Cutting Manufacturer Connects with IMEC for Digital Growth

Reported Year
2025
Plitek LLC is a contract converter specializing in precision die cutting, custom film extrusion, release liner coating, and adhesive coating. With a primary focus on the medical device manufacturing sector, Plitek's components and finished parts serve critical applications such as diagnostics, microfluidics, wound care, and cardiovascular

Manufacturing reports

Created March 18, 2019, Updated April 13, 2026
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