Episode 21: Tremendous Opportunity Amid Tremendous Change: Illinois’ Manufacturing Excellence w/Ray Ziganto​

Episode Overview:

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ray Ziganto, Partner Relations Manager at IMEC (Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center), to discuss why the future of our manufacturing sector depends on innovation, collaboration, and a national strategy. Ray didn’t hold back in sharing his passion for bringing real, lasting change to the industry. We talked about the crucial role of IMEC and how they’ve been helping small and medium-sized manufacturers not just survive but thrive by adopting new technologies and building stronger businesses. 

One of Ray’s key points is how we’ve got to engage the next generation early—starting at the grade-school level, not just with high schoolers. He shared how nonprofits like GCAMP in Chicago are making that connection between students, parents, and the exciting world of modern manufacturing. We also dove into some big challenges, like the decline in casting and forging for defense manufacturing, and why we need to rebuild that capability to keep America’s defense industrial base strong and resilient.

Ray also stressed the importance of a growth mindset in the manufacturing world. Too many companies hesitate to innovate, but as Ray pointed out, sticking your head in the sand is not a strategy. You’ve got to invest in your future. We wrapped up by talking about the need for a cultural shift—manufacturing has to become a core part of our communities, and companies need to stay engaged with their ecosystem of support to succeed. This episode is packed with insights on how we can all work together to strengthen American manufacturing for the long haul, thanks Ray!

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Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Participants:

• Ray Ziganto, Partner Relations Manager, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center
• Matt Bogoshian: Executive Director, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and host of the podcast.

💡 Key Ideas:

• Start Early with Workforce Development: It’s not enough to reach high schoolers anymore. We need to connect with grade-school students and their parents to show them what modern manufacturing really looks like and how exciting those careers can be.
• Adopt a Growth Mindset: Manufacturers can’t afford to stay stuck in the past. Ray made it clear that if you’re not looking for ways to innovate and improve, you’re falling behind. Embracing technology is crucial for long-term success.
• IMEC’s Role in the Ecosystem: IMEC is doing great work supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers by helping them adopt new tech and improve operations. Ray’s team is driving real impact, proving that even small investments can lead to big returns.
• Collaboration is Key: No one can do it alone. Ray emphasized the importance of manufacturers, government, and community organizations all working together to build a stronger industry and a more connected manufacturing ecosystem.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Ray on Linkedin
• Learn more about IMEC.

• Read IMEC’s survey on advanced technology adoption rates by their SMMs.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.