Manufacturing is one of the top three industries in Lake County. Many manufacturers continued operations throughout the pandemic. One of those was SAI Infusion Technologies, a manufacturer in Lake Villa, IL. SAI was founded in 1995 with the goal of helping researchers develop and implement reliable infusion techniques.
The past several years have been incredibly difficult for the healthcare industry. With the Covid pandemic and the ensuing healthcare, economic, and staffing challenges, hospital systems have struggled with a myriad of issues. Freeport Health Network (FHN) has done a tremendous job not only surviving, but thriving and innovating during times of challenge.
It is our pleasure to nominate the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce for the IWP Business Leadership Award. We have worked with the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce since 2018. They have demonstrated outstanding leadership in workforce development and made significant contributions to our area workforce.
Founded in 1994 and active with our Kane County Workforce Development Division since 2016, Eagle Flexible Packaging is an innovative printer and converter of flexible packaging specializing in Preformed Pouches, Roll-Fed Film, Rollstock with pre-applied zippers, and Laminate Structures. An in-house Prepress Department enables us to provide the utmost in quality printing, control, and flexibility. Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as Direct Laser Engraving (in-the-round-imaging, seamless plates, etc.) and a defect detection system ensures the highest quality and consistency.
Big Bolt is an ISO-certified, and premier manufacturer and supplier of high-quality and specialty fasteners in the Midwest. Family-owned and headquartered in Bloomingdale, IL for almost 50 years, Big Bolt has the built its reputation on its capability to do 24/7 emergency manufacturing. Their state-of-the-art 110,000 sq. ft. facility houses more than 12 CNC machines with supporting tools and equipment to manufacture and distribute their in-house products effectively and safely.
Freedman Seating Company (FSC) has been a long-time partner of JARC and has gone above and beyond to support the mission of JARC, as well as the manufacturing sector, and the Westside community. In September 2020, JARC launched its facility on the Westside, on the second floor of Freedman Seating Company’s building. FSC knew JARC was struggling to find a Westside space and offered up unused space, free of charge. JARC worked closely with FSC staff to build the space to be able to launch an impactful program. FSC has worked closely with JARC to create training in Mechanical Assembly that included industry knowledge, and allowing JARC to use its blueprints as an example to be incorporated into the curriculum. This ultimately sets up graduates of the program for jobs not only at Freedman Seating Company, but at other manufacturing companies because they now have relevant industry knowledge.