Fostering unity, resiliency and growth was the theme of the first-ever Northern Illinois Manufacturing Leadership Roundtable held recently at Ultra Stamping and Assembly plant in Rockford.
The event, organized by Rockford Manufacturing Collective founders Derek Sherman and Eric Canada, included tours of three Rockford-based, family-owned manufacturers, remarks from local leaders and a roundtable with Rockford industry leaders and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives.
“Manufacturing is critically important to Rockford and Winnebago County.” Canada said. “It is a $4.4 billion annual infusion of cash from outside the local market, with $2.78 billion going directly into payroll and benefits for Winnebago County resident. However, since 1990, the Rockford metropolitan area has lost almost 20,000 manufacturing jobs, due in part to automation and enhanced productivity.”…