On December 11, 2025, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC) along with approximately 100 industry manufacturing professionals, attended the CESMII Smart Manufacturing Roadshow hosted by the Digital Foundry in New Kensington, PA, an event highlighting the power of Smart Manufacturing for small to large manufacturers across Pennsylvania.

Participants explored the latest technologies, heard real-world success stories, and learned how Smart Manufacturing drives efficiency, growth, and competitiveness. Industry leaders including JV Manufacturing, MSA Safety, Pulva Corporation, Zoll Medical Device Company, and Pittsburgh’s iconic Mancini Bakery shared how assessing needs and applying Smart Manufacturing technologies helped them meet, and often exceed, their operational goals.

Experts from the Collaborative Ecosystems Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII) and other industry related representatives also outlined opportunities for manufacturers to assess their readiness and develop a customized Smart Manufacturing Roadmap with support from organizations like the IMC, Digital Foundry, and other CESMII-certified professionals.

IMC is proud to be home to one of only six Certified Smart Manufacturing Roadmap Professionals in Pennsylvania. Contact IMC Business Advisor, Rick Terry, to learn how Smart Manufacturing can benefit your operation or to schedule a consultation.

Celebrating Manufacturing: October Is Manufacturing Month & Friday Is National Manufacturing Day

Every October, manufacturers across the U.S. are spotlighted for their vital role in innovation, jobs, and regional growth. While National Manufacturing Day (this Friday) offers a special moment to rally attention to the sector, Manufacturing Month provides the entire span of October to highlight achievements, challenges, and opportunities across manufacturing.

At the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), this observance resonates deeply. We partner with manufacturers in Central Pennsylvania to drive innovation, operational excellence, growth, and resiliency. As we mark this annual celebration, we want to reflect on why it matters — and how IMC helps regional manufacturers gain the competitive edge year-round.

Why Manufacturing Month / Day Matters

• Raise awareness: Many don’t realize how central manufacturing is to local and national economies — to supply chains, innovation, skill development, and exports. October gives us a focused moment to tell that story.
• Inspire future talent: Highlighting manufacturing helps attract students, career-changers, and underrepresented groups toward high-skill roles in advanced manufacturing.
• Encourage continuous improvement: The cadence of awareness spurs companies to review processes, adopt new technologies, and revisit training investments.
• Strengthen collaboration: It offers a chance for regional partners (economic development, education, workforce, government) to align better with manufacturers’ needs.

As a public-private partnership, IMC is deeply committed to ensuring Central Pennsylvania manufacturers don’t just survive — they thrive.

IMC’s Role in Supporting Manufacturers During & Beyond October

1. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

One of IMC’s core pillars is helping manufacturers optimize process flows, reduce waste, and unlock productivity gains. Our offerings include, but are not limited to:

• Lean Manufacturing Level One Practitioner Certification
• Transformation and deployment of Lean Systems
• Problem Solving with Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Supply Chain Optimization

These tools help manufacturers move from reactive firefighting to strategic, sustainable performance improvement — a perfect theme for Manufacturing Month.

2. Innovation & Technology Enablement

Staying ahead in 21st-century manufacturing means embracing new tools and approaches. IMC provides:

• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
• Digital transformation / SMART-PA Programs
• Clean Energy Manufacturing Consulting
• Technology Scouting and Innovation Systems

These help local manufacturers explore smarter production, energy efficiency, and R&D-driven differentiation.

3. Business Growth, Sales & Marketing

Producing excellent goods is only half the battle — finding customers, scaling, and sustaining margins is equally critical. IMC assists with:

• Sales development and marketing strategy
• Brand development
• Business continuity planning
• Export / international trade & compliance support

By integrating growth strategies with operations, we help manufacturers translate capability into revenue and resilience.

4. People & Leadership Development

Advanced processes and technologies require not just investment — but skilled people. IMC offers training in:

• HR best practices tailored to manufacturing
• Supervisor & leadership development
• Change management and culture building (e.g., “Winning Teams” approach)
• Safety, environmental compliance, and certification readiness

Manufacturing Month shines a light on training — a chance for organizations to close skill gaps and empower their teams.

Ideas for Manufacturers to Leverage the Month

Here are a few ideas your operations or leadership teams could consider during October:

• Host a shop floor open house or virtual factory tour to show local schools, civic groups, or partners what modern manufacturing looks like.
• Run a “continuous improvement blitz” for a small but visible process (e.g., reduce setup time, streamline changeovers).
• Offer a mini training or lunch-and-learn (e.g. basic root cause analysis, 5S) to raise internal awareness of operational excellence.
• Conduct a technology audit or pilot — identify one small digital or automation upgrade you can trial before year’s end.
• Use the month as a talent recruitment window — promote manufacturing careers, internships, apprenticeships, or job shadow days.

If you’d like help designing or executing any of these ideas, IMC is ready to assist!

What’s Coming Up at IMC This October

Here’s a snapshot of select upcoming training events you might find beneficial:

• Manufacturing Your Way to a Pennsylvania Tax Credit Webinar — October 8
• Problem Solving with Root Cause Analysis (Williamsport) — October 9
• Problem Solving with Root Cause Analysis (Altoona) — October 16
• Strategic Succession Planning for Supervisors — October 22
• IMC & Tasseron Sensors PM Exchange — October 23
• OSHA 10-Hour Training — October 29

These are just a few of the offerings scheduled throughout the month. Click here to visit the full schedule of IMC’s upcoming training and events.

A Call to Action

As we observe National Manufacturing Day and celebrate Manufacturing Month, we encourage you — whether as a manufacturing leader, employee, or community stakeholder — to reflect on how we can push the boundaries of what “manufacturing” means today.

Ask yourself:

• What process or system could we challenge or improve?
• Which new technology or automation could we pilot?
• What training does our workforce need to stay competitive?
• How can we better tell our manufacturing story to partners, young talent, or local communities?

If you’d like to meet with IMC to ideate, plan, or initiate any initiatives tied to Manufacturing Month (or beyond), we’re here as your partner. Let’s use this October momentum to build stronger, more innovative, and more resilient manufacturing in Central Pennsylvania. Contact IMC today by emailing info@imcpa.com or calling 800-326-9467.

The Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC) is proud to announce that Frederick (Rick) Terry, Business Advisor, has successfully earned the CESMII Smart Manufacturing Acceleration Roadmap Professional Certification from Rensselaer at Work, a division of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The CESMII developed certification recognizes professionals who demonstrate advanced knowledge and practical skills in designing and implementing customizable strategies that accelerate digital transformation within manufacturing operations. Through the program, participants learn to align emerging technologies with business objectives, streamline production processes, and drive innovation across manufacturing systems.

“Rick’s achievement reflects not only a personal commitment to professional growth, but also IMC’s dedication to advancing modern manufacturing practices,” said Dennis Gilbert, President at IMC. “This expertise will further strengthen IMC’s ability to deliver smarter, more efficient, and more resilient solutions for our partners and clients.”

Rensselaer at Work is recognized for its focus on equipping professionals with future-ready skills in engineering, science, and technology management. The Smart Manufacturing Acceleration Roadmap Certification is designed for leaders who are driving transformation in an increasingly data-driven and competitive industry.

Terry will apply this certification to enhance IMC’s initiatives in process optimization, data integration, automation strategies, and digital innovation, helping position the organization and our manufacturing clients at the forefront of smart manufacturing.

Contact Rick Terry at rickt@imcpa.com or (570) 329-3200 and discover how this certification can help your company accelerate your digital transformation!

In Centre Hall, PA, Hanover Foods—a 100-year-old, family-owned food manufacturer—understands that sustaining excellence isn’t just about what’s grown in the field or produced on the line. It’s also about growing people. With a wide portfolio that spans frozen vegetables, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals, Hanover Foods is committed to continuous improvement in every corner of its operations.

During an initial outreach meeting, IMC engaged Hanover in a deeper conversation about one key area of opportunity: strengthening frontline supervisory skills. Like many manufacturers, Hanover recognized that while its supervisors excelled in technical knowledge, many lacked the leadership and communication tools needed to manage today’s dynamic plant environments.

Plant-Floor Leadership: Tools Beyond the Toolbox

Hanover’s leadership team knew that just as a technician uses the right wrench for a specific repair, supervisors need the right “soft skill” tools to effectively lead, resolve conflict, and maintain morale. In response, IMC proposed a customized “Pathways to Team Success” development program, designed specifically for Hanover’s frontline supervisors.

The multi-session training series focused on practical, immediately applicable skills—leadership fundamentals, clear and empathetic communication, problem-solving, time management, and change management. A strong emphasis was placed on building trust, managing conflict, and coaching – all critical capabilities during Hanover’s intense seasonal production cycles.

To maximize impact, training was held during the off-season, giving participants time to reflect, prepare, and build confidence before peak harvest operations resumed. Each session was designed with real-world plant scenarios in mind, enabling supervisors to return to the floor with both insight and actionable strategies.

Measurable Impact, Human Results

The results were clear. Supervisors reported feeling more confident and equipped to manage daily operations and team dynamics. Participants showed notable improvements in communication, time management, and decision-making. More importantly, the program fostered a stronger, more supportive workplace culture – critical for both employee retention and production performance.

Hanover Foods now has a cohort of emerging leaders ready to help drive productivity while creating a work environment rooted in respect, collaboration, and accountability. The investment wasn’t just in people – it was in long-term performance and organizational health.

Advancing Pennsylvania’s Strategic Vision

This initiative aligns directly with Pennsylvania’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy, launched by Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration. The strategy prioritizes workforce development, manufacturing resilience, and creating competitive, future-ready businesses.

By equipping supervisors with leadership tools, Hanover Foods is contributing to the strategy’s vision of strengthening the manufacturing sector, building a modern workforce, and enhancing talent retention in a rural food manufacturing and agricultural business. The program also supports the state’s broader goals of encouraging people-first practices and sustainable growth within legacy industries.

In the heart of Northumberland County, Function of Beauty—a fast-growing manufacturer of personalized luxury haircare—has built its brand around customization, innovation, and direct-to-consumer excellence. With its corporate headquarters in New York City, the company chose Paxinos, Pennsylvania, as the home for its manufacturing facility, where approximately 75 employees craft a growing line of hair, body, and skincare products. Since its founding in 2015, the veteran-founded business has experienced remarkable expansion, including major retail partnerships with Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon.

That growth brought new challenges. As production demands increased and new product lines emerged, Function of Beauty recognized the need to improve operational efficiency through automation and leaner processes. Leadership identified a gap in team-wide understanding of Lean manufacturing principles—a critical skillset for eliminating waste and scaling up sustainably. The plant manager turned to the IMC to help launch their Lean journey.

IMC began by delivering a hands-on, full day “Introduction to Lean with Simulation” course, designed to give the team a practical, foundational understanding of Lean thinking. Through simulation and real-world examples, the training covered core concepts like waste elimination, value stream mapping, standard work, and visual management. The team quickly began identifying inefficiencies in their own processes, laying the groundwork for meaningful improvements across the plant.

Encouraged by the success of this initial training, Function of Beauty has committed to deeper development. The team will next complete IMC’s 7-module Lean Manufacturing Level One Practitioner Certification, demonstrating a clear and ongoing investment in process optimization and workforce capability.

Advancing Pennsylvania’s Strategic Vision

Function of Beauty’s Lean initiative reflects the goals of Pennsylvania’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy, unveiled by Governor Shapiro. The strategy emphasizes strengthening the manufacturing sector, modernizing workplace practices, and building a resilient, future-ready workforce. By upskilling their employees and streamlining production, Function of Beauty is aligning directly with these priorities, positioning itself as a competitive, high-performing manufacturer rooted in Pennsylvania.

Moreover, the company’s focus on continuous improvement and waste reduction supports the strategy’s goals of enhancing operational agility, improving productivity, and ensuring long-term sustainability for manufacturers throughout the Commonwealth. With IMC’s guidance, Function of Beauty is proving that growth and efficiency can go hand-in-hand—and that innovation in manufacturing starts with investing in people.

In early 2025, Andritz Feed and Biofuel—a Muncy, PA-based manufacturing site of the global Andritz Group—took a significant step toward strengthening its commitment to employee health and safety. With more than 80 employees producing bulk material handling equipment, the site has long maintained ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. However, the company set a new corporate goal: achieving ISO 45001 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management by the end of the year.

ISO 45001 is an internationally recognized standard that helps organizations proactively improve their occupational health and safety performance. It provides a framework to reduce workplace risks, enhance employee well-being, and foster a culture of continuous safety improvement. For companies like Andritz, ISO 45001 certification is more than a milestone—it’s a strategic investment in workforce safety, operational efficiency, and global credibility.

Zachary Robb, the site’s Inventory and Methods Manager, recognized that while some progress had been made, the path to full compliance with ISO 45001 remained unclear. Robb had already implemented certain procedures but needed guidance to understand the remaining requirements and how best to align the facility’s operations with the standard.

That’s where IMC stepped in.

Partnering closely with the Andritz team, IMC conducted a comprehensive discovery process. This included a thorough review of documentation and records, interviews with key members of Andritz leadership, and onsite evaluations of day-to-day operations. The focus was on identifying the current level of compliance with ISO 45001 and assessing the existing Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

The result was a detailed and actionable Gap Analysis report that categorized Andritz’s compliance into three areas: fully compliant, partially compliant, and non-compliant. Just as important, the report offered tailored recommendations to close the gaps and build a clear roadmap toward certification.

Thanks to this collaboration, Andritz now has the direction and confidence needed to continue its journey toward ISO 45001 certification. With insights from IMC’s analysis in hand, the team is well-positioned to meet its corporate safety goals by the end of 2025—demonstrating a deep commitment to a safe, healthy, and sustainable workplace.

Supporting the Commonwealth’s Economic Vision

The partnership between IMC and Andritz Feed & Biofuel reflects how statewide economic strategy can be realized through focused, local action. By helping Andritz—a long-standing, 80-employee manufacturer in Muncy—pursue ISO 45001 certification, the project strengthens Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector through higher safety standards and global-quality alignment. This investment supports not only compliance but also operational excellence, workforce resilience, and long-term competitiveness.

ISO 45001 certification is about more than safety; it’s a strategic move that positions companies like Andritz to thrive in a modern economy. It enhances employee well-being, fosters a culture of accountability, and equips businesses with the tools to adapt and grow. This directly supports the Commonwealth’s goals to build a safer, more agile business climate, modernize the workforce, and ensure manufacturers are ready to compete in a global marketplace—key pillars of Pennsylvania’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy.

A new federal initiative is creating powerful opportunities for Pennsylvania manufacturers to modernize their operations, reduce emissions, and strengthen competitiveness. Through the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program, small and mid-sized manufacturers may be eligible for grants of up to $500,000 to cover 50% of total project costs, including equipment, labor, and related costs. The application process for these funds requires a no-cost Energy Assessment by a qualified Assessor, provided by IMC.

Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, RISE PA is designed to help manufacturers reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving energy efficiency, and operational performance. With $40 million allocated specifically to support manufacturers in Pennsylvania, the program will fund high-impact projects that advance sustainable manufacturing practices and drive long-term cost savings.

Who’s Eligible?
To qualify, manufacturers must operate active facilities in Pennsylvania with fewer than 500 employees. Projects must aim to reduce industrial emissions through strategies such as:

• Energy efficiency improvements
• Electrification of systems and processes
• Integration of low-carbon or renewable fuels
• On-site renewable energy installations
• Carbon capture technologies
• Reduction of fugitive or process-related emissions

What’s Covered?
Projects may focus on upgrading core energy systems such as boilers, compressed air, HVAC, motors, lighting, process heating, or refrigeration. Waste reduction and resource efficiency initiatives are also eligible—providing an added path to operational improvements and cost reductions.

Why Act Now?
This is a competitive grant program, and funding will be awarded to applicants with the most compelling, impactful projects. A required first step is the completion of a qualified site assessment to identify energy savings and emissions reduction opportunities. These assessments also provide valuable insights that can help strengthen your grant application and prioritize investments that offer the greatest return.

Benefits of Participation

• Up to $500,000 in funding to support capital improvements
• Reduced energy and operational costs
• Enhanced environmental performance and compliance
• Increased market competitiveness and supply chain appeal
• Accelerated progress toward sustainability and carbon reduction goals

This grant opportunity comes at a critical time for manufacturers facing rising energy costs, increasing regulatory pressure, and growing customer demand for sustainable practices. RISE PA funding can help de-risk your next capital investment and ensure that your facility is equipped for the future of manufacturing.

Get Started
The path to funding starts with a site-level assessment and strategic planning. Now is the time to identify potential projects and prepare for a strong application.

Don’t leave money on the table.
If you’re planning facility upgrades, considering equipment modernization, or aiming to reduce your carbon footprint, this is the time to act.

For more details on how to qualify and prepare for the RISE PA Grant Program, contact IMC today at info@imcpa.com or (570) 329-3200.

IMC President, Dennis Gilbert had the honor of joining the kickoff episode of Survive and Thrive—a timely podcast series featured on The Quality Hub.

In this first episode, Dennis joins hosts Xavier Francis and Scott Dawson, of Core Business Solutions, to dive into what it really takes for manufacturers and other businesses to stay resilient amid today’s economic uncertainty. From navigating shifting federal policies to managing supply chain disruptions, the conversation is packed with real-world insights and practical strategies that manufacturers can put into action immediately.

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or contractor, this series will help you build a proactive mindset and stay ahead of the curve. Click here to listen!

From predictive maintenance to generative design, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how manufacturers improve efficiency, enhance quality, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. While some manufacturers are already utilizing AI in their operations, others face barriers to implementation. In this infographic, discover the impact of AI on manufacturing today and in the future, and learn how IMC, as part of the MEP National Network, connects manufacturers with expert guidance, hands-on support, and access to cutting-edge AI solutions tailored to their needs.

As Central Susquehanna WSCM’s Best of PA nominees, Mount Carmel Area and Huntingdon Area Middle Schools recently joined IMC’s Lauri Moon, Manager of the Central Susquehanna WSCM program, at the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® 7th Annual Statewide Awards held at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA. Mount Carmel was partnered regionally with Dyco, Inc. with Huntingdon partnered with Gardners Candies, Inc. This prestigious event celebrates student creativity, innovation, and storytelling in highlighting careers in manufacturing across the state.

Central Columbia Middle School featuring Strong Industries from the Central Susquehanna contest, was recognized for garnering the largest number of regional vote totals across the state, during three days of online voting where all Pennsylvania teams competed to win their regional Viewers Choice Award.

Also, in attendance from the Central Susquehanna region was Central Columbia Middle School who teamed up with Strong Industries, a leading local manufacturer, to create a compelling video that captured what makes manufacturing both cool and essential.

Their hard work paid off — the team was recognized for receiving the highest number of regional Viewers Choice votes in the entire state of Pennsylvania! Over a three-day online voting period, schools from across the commonwealth competed for this honor, and Central Columbia Middle School’s entry stood out with the most enthusiastic support. This recognition not only highlights the talent and teamwork of the students but also shines a spotlight on the innovative work being done at Strong Industries and the vital role manufacturers play in our communities. We’re incredibly proud of our students and grateful to Strong Industries for being a fantastic partner in this inspiring educational initiative.

Congratulations to the three teams representing the Central Susquehanna region!

Click here and visit our Facebook post for more pictures from the event.