October is National Manufacturing Month, but in Iowa and Illinois it should be celebrated and recognized every month, if not every day. Unfortunately it is not. That’s why we appreciate what the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) do this time of year to help put the spotlight […]
October is National Manufacturing Month, but in Iowa and Illinois it should be celebrated and recognized every month, if not every day. Unfortunately it is not.That’s why we appreciate what the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) do this time of year to help put the spotlight on the most important industry to both states.The IMA did a “Makers on the Move” bus tour through the state to celebrate manufacturing month, stopping in the Quad Cities at Midwest Ale Works in East Moline on Oct. 9 and Parr Instrument Company in Moline on Oct. 10. And ABI hosted its annual Manufacturing Conference in Ankeny, Iowa, earlier this month.The “Makers on the Move” bus tour featured a fully wrapped, 56-foot bus that traveled to nearly every region of Illinois.According to the IMA, Illinois’ manufacturing industry generates between $580 billion and $611 billion in economic investment every year. It’s the largest share of any industry to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Manufacturing directly employs 662,298 workers but ultimately supports as many as 1,771,928 jobs, generating up to $150 billion in labor income for Illinois residents annually.In all, it’s estimated that the manufacturing industry supports nearly 30% of all jobs in Illinois, making it among the state’s largest industry sectors.Iowa’s manufacturing industry has a similarly impressive economic importance.According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, advanced manufacturing is Iowa’s largest industry, accounting for 18.2% of the state’s total GDP. Iowa’s 4,100 manufacturers produce everything from food products and medical devices to aerospace products and construction machinery.
Special kudos to John Riches
At ABI’s Oct. 4 Manufacturing Conference, John Riches was honored with a Legends in Manufacturing award in the category of companies with more than 300 employees.It is a well-deserved honor for Mr. Riches, who has spent over 31 years as the community relations manager for Arconic, and has been a steadfast champion for manufacturers across the Quad Cities and Iowa and Illinois.The other ABI Legends in Manufacturing award winners were: Jack Hasken with Jackson Manufacturing in Maquoketa (under 100 employees); Heather Bruce with Osmundson Manufacturing in Perry (100-300 employees); and Cindy Dietz as Manufacturing Champion with Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids.“As one of Iowa’s largest industries, manufacturing contributes $38 billion annually to the state’s economy,” ABI President Mike Ralston said. “It’s an honor to recognize the founders and leaders of these amazing Iowa companies, and to thank them for the outstanding contributions they make to our state.”
