Regional manufacturers are ‘teaming’ to be more competitive when it comes to bidding on government and large company contracts.

The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois (EDC) and two of its industry strategy groups (specialized manufacturing and global trade) are looking for new ways to create and retain jobs as well as find a new customer base to sustain regional businesses, and they believe ‘teaming’ may be the key.

Vickie Clark, Chief Operating Officer of the EDC says, the ‘teaming’ concept is not new, but we are looking to enhance it and make it common place in the Peoria Metro. “One company by itself may not be able to do an entire project from start to finish, but by ‘teaming’ up with other regional businesses, that have different skillsets, the project can be completed in one place, right here in the Peoria Metro.” Traditionally, Clark says, local manufacturers have had a steady flow of business from within the region, but with the downturn in the economy regional businesses are looking for additional customer bases. “Pooling our resources and our talents like this makes our region more competitive. ‘Teaming’ expands business opportunities and creates jobs as regional companies are collectively able to pursue larger contracts with the
government or big companies like Boeing or Lockheed Martin.”

Linda Krendick with ICC’s IL Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) says this is the perfect time to incorporate the teaming concept. “I can’t stress enough just how diversified our manufacturing industry is.” Krendick says the Peoria Metro is a model for the rest of the country. “We have quality suppliers and a quality workforce because companies like Caterpillar won’t accept any less. The government and larger companies recognize the quality of our manufacturing industry and it’s time we go after this $500,000 billion market for government
and big business contracts.”

Clark and Krendick say there is a pilot team in place that is going after a government contract right now. This pilot team could serve as a ‘teaming’ template for the entire region in more than just manufacturing. Clark cited the collaboration of organizations like EDC, IL PTAC, ICC, Bradley University’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center, IMEC and private sector businesses and the value this brings to our regional manufacturers. “We’re leveraging all our specialties to facilitate these teaming opportunities.”