In this episode we pack 5 VIP guests into one MakingChips episode.  We start with Ray Ziganto, President of Bi-Link, a global manufacturing company with 1,500 employees, sharing his take-aways from the Crain’s Manufacturing Summit.  We want you to ask yourself these 3 questions:

* Are you on the "leading-edge"?

* Are you re-thinking the education of your workforce?

* Are you investing with small steps or big steps?

Cary Wood, President and CEO of Sparton, talks about how to train and relate to the new workforce generation.

Dr. David Boulay, President of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), discusses how public-private partnerships like IMEC support small and midsize manufacturing companies.

** For more information on organizations like IMEC, search for US Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) **

Dave Szczupak, Executive Vice President of Whirlpool, discusses the importance of local manufacturing companies to their supply chain and workforce development for the new generation.  Dave also tells us about the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Jim Schultz, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, discusses the importance of manufacturing to state commerce.

MakingChips.com/BiLink

Guest names: Ray Ziganto, Cary Wood, David Boulay, Dave Szczupak, Jim Schultz