Iowa Manufacturing Plan 4.0

Iowa Manufacturing Plan 4.0

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has launched a year-long study of Iowa’s Manufacturing sector, with support from Teconomy Partners, to identify the challenges facing Iowa’s Manufacturing industry as it transitions to Industry 4.0. The result of this study will be Iowa Manufacturing 4.0 Plan which will be an action plan with recommended strategies and tactics to help facilitate the use of digital technologies by providing a path to address trends, technology challenges, customer demands and talent issues that Iowa manufacturers are facing with digital transformation.

Throughout April, May and late summer, Teconomy will be convening working groups established in five focus areas. The working groups will be asked to provide input on Teconomy’s data and policy assessments and shape the goals and strategies for the Iowa Manufacturing 4.0 Plan. Individuals who wish to be a part of the working group conversations can apply to participate in one or more of the groups, focused on:

• Tech Adoption and Utilization
• Improved Supply Chain Linkages
• Accelerating Startups, Scale-ups by Fostering Innovation
• Effectively Trained Workforce
• Infrastructure for Digital Tech and Sustainable Manufacturing

Applications are being accepted now through February 28^th. Working group members will be selected to represent manufacturing expertise and stakeholder interests within the state, with a balance within each group to ensure it represents urban and rural interests, academic representatives, and public, private and non-profit representatives. Members will be notified by March 13^th of their working group selection, with working groups expected to convene in early April.

Please pass the application on to manufacturing company representatives in your area who may be interested in participating in a working group. And/or, if you are interested in serving on a working group and can represent the voice of manufacturers within your area, please feel free to submit an application.

Applications should be returned to jill.lippincott@iowaeda.com by February 28th.