“Manufacturing Ecosystem” and a New Definition to Support Inclusive, Equitable Community Development
If you’re working in a space that is similar to the space Manufacturing Renaissance works in you’ve started to hear the words “manufacturing ecosystem” thrown around quite a bit. As a former ecologist, my interest was piqued at the notion. I quickly imagined the manufacturing ecosystem to mean the diverse mix of stakeholders, participants, practitioners, […]
Supply Chain and Policy: Past, Present and Future
Panelists in the event, clockwise from bottom right: Dan Swinney, Founder of Manufacturing Renaissance; Harry Haney, a supply chain and operations expert; Haven Allen, CEO and Co-Founder, mHUB, an independent hard tech and manufacturing innovation center; David Boulay, President of IMEC (the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center). Top right, moderator, Jeff Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist, Fifth […]
Ministers for Manufacturing Stepping Into Leadership for Inclusive Manufacturing Development
On December 14, the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC), program operated by Manufacturing Renaissance (MR), held its first in-person Ministers for Manufacturing (M4M) committee meeting since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was hosted at Matot, Inc., manufacturing company in Bellwood, IL in the western suburbs of Chicago. Jim Piper, President of Matot and CeCe […]
Perspective: ShoreBank co-founder calls expansion of manufacturing sector a “once in a lifetime opportunity”
This year, Manufacturing Renaissance has played a leading role in a national coalition that is advancing an agenda to transform the manufacturing sector in this country. Earlier this fall, the coalition’s efforts reached the national stage when Cong. Jan Schakowsky introduced the Manufacturing Reinvestment Corporation Act in Congress. Ron Grzywinski has a distinctive perspective on […]
New Bill Proposes Major Reinvestment in Manufacturing Communities
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Manufacturing Reinvestment Corporation Act. The legislation will ensure that a revitalized manufacturing sector can create the products, processes, and transition opportunities that are necessary to […]
Rep. Schakowsky Shares Progress on Introduction of Key Legislation to Grow Manufacturing Sector This Summer
A growing movement for a stronger and more equitable manufacturing sector in this country is gaining momentum. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) has indicated she will introduce legislation in the coming weeks that will lay out plans and funding to support innovation, sustainability, supply chain resiliency, and equal opportunities and inclusion in the manufacturing sector. “We […]
Towards a New Paradigm of Development: MR’s Theory of Change
In recent months, Manufacturing Renaissance and many partners have come together to advocate for a stronger and more equitable industrial policy in this country. Meanwhile, the organization’s dynamic work in Chicago (and other communities) continues. Now, a new report shares what Manufacturing Renaissance has learned and how the manufacturing sector in this country can be […]
Green Town Hall: IVI-IPO’s Focus on Economic and Environmental Health
The growing focus on the connection between manufacturing and urgent environmental issues was a key topic at The Green Town Hall, a virtual event held on May 10 by IVI-IPO (the Independent Voters of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization). David Robinson, Director of External Affairs for Manufacturing Renaissance, was one of three panelists at the […]
Too Good An Opportunity To Miss
As you probably know from my other posts, Manufacturing Renaissance (MR) has been advancing the potential for manufacturing to be the foundation of rebuilding our society and rebuilding communities like those on Chicago’s West Side. Over the last three years, I’ve been working on a paper—Towards a New Paradigm of Development that articulates our larger […]
Update: Re/Cast, Advisors in Ownership Succession
The Manufacturing Renaissance’s RE/CAST program provides advising services to companies that face ownership succession issues and want to stay open and thrive. One look at the demographics of Illinois manufacturing companies tells a compelling story about why ownership succession is a timely issue. Far more often than not, company ownership is older, overwhelmingly lacking in […]