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IMEC & World Business Chicago Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive the Future of Manufacturing in Chicago

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CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — IMEC and World Business Chicago (WBC) announce a new partnership aimed at aligning strategies and resources to strengthen Chicago’s manufacturing sector and drive inclusive economic growth. As global trends reshape the manufacturing landscape—from evolving technology and shifting supply chains to workforce dynamics—this partnership is focused on preparing Chicago for the future of manufacturing while leveraging the city’s deep industrial roots. 

The partnership will focus on key initiatives designed to elevate Chicago’s position as a global manufacturing hub. This includes the third annual Manufacturing Month Series in October, where IMEC will serve as a planning partner, participate in tours of local manufacturers, and provide the keynote address at the DPD-WBC Manufacturing Award Ceremony. The series will spotlight more than a dozen manufacturers and bring together industry stakeholders. Additionally, IMEC and WBC will co-host three manufacturing roundtables through the end of 2024, creating a platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on topics like leadership, workforce development, and the rapidly evolving technology landscape that is reshaping the sector. 

“Our nation is experiencing a pivotal manufacturing moment, driven by shifting geopolitics, supply chain realignments, and the transition toward next-generation technologies,” said David Boulay, President, IMEC. “This partnership with World Business Chicago allows us to address these changes head-on by supporting small and mid-sized manufacturers—the backbone of Chicago’s manufacturing ecosystem—while preparing them for what’s next.” 

Chicago has a rich manufacturing tradition, and this partnership aims to harness that legacy while looking forward. The collaboration also addresses key challenges such as the demographic shift, as retiring boomers pass ownership to a more diverse next generation, and the need for increased productivity through investments in skills and automation. 

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center to build on our shared vision of supporting local manufacturers,” said Kyle Schulz, Chief Growth Officer, World Business Chicago. “As the manufacturing sector evolves, it’s critical that we focus on workforce development, embracing new technologies, and ensuring that the next generation of manufacturing is driven by innovation and inclusivity.” 

As part of the partnership, IMEC and WBC’s Research Center will jointly develop bi-monthly infographics analyzing subsectors of the Chicagoland manufacturing economy, and they will release a co-branded digital newsletter to engage a network of over 250 manufacturers, agencies, and partners with insights and updates. 

For more information on upcoming events and related research follow the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center and World Business Chicago online.

About Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center: 

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) serves as the state’s U.S. Department of Commerce NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. IMEC is a team of industry improvement specialists dedicated to providing Illinois Manufacturers with the solutions, tools, and resources to create sustainable, competitive futures. IMEC drives growth through enterprise excellence, helping organizations become more effective and efficient through tailored solutions and support. In 2023, they assisted over 2,500 companies and helped create or retain over 5,200 jobs, resulting in over $650M aggregate impact to the Illinois economy. For more information, visit https://www.imec.org

About World Business Chicago:
World Business Chicago (WBC) is the City of Chicago’s public-private economic development agency focused on driving inclusive growth and job creation, supporting businesses, and promoting Chicago as a leading global city. WBC’s mission is to position Chicago as the most business-friendly global city by advancing equitable economic growth that benefits all Chicagoans. www.worldbusinesschicago.com

Contact: Megan Altmyer, maltmyer@imec.org

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SOURCE IMEC

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Michael Johnson Promoted to VP of Technical Services for Astro Pak

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Astro Pak promotes Michael Johnson to Vice President of Technical Services, now overseeing both the Technical Services and Engineering Services Groups. A seasoned expert in spaceflight hardware cleaning, Johnson aims to drive innovation in high-purity cleaning and support Astro Pak’s growth. The Technical Services Group focuses on pioneering industry processes, while the Engineering Services Group advises on facility design for longevity and safety.

COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Astro Pak announces that Michael Johnson has been promoted to its Vice President of Technical Services. He is stepping up from his previous role as Director of Technical Services for the company. His new role places both the Technical Services Group (TSG) and the Engineering Services Group (ESG) under common leadership. The TSG is Astro Pak’s Research and Development group made up of subject matter experts with deep knowledge gained through many years of experience in their respective fields. This team is dedicated to developing new, industry-leading processes and chemistries, some of which become the industry standards. Additionally, the group also serves as an internal consulting resource for Astro Pak’s Field Services and Cleanroom divisions in providing expert advice on resolving its clients’ most challenging projects. Meanwhile, the ESG is a relatively new, customer-facing resource which can be engaged to consult on best practices when designing new facilities to maximize their maintainability to ensure longevity and product safety.

“Our mission is to position Astro Pak on the technological forefront of precision and high-purity cleaning, providing ongoing support for sales, operations, and business development.”

Mr. Johnson himself is a recognized subject matter expert in the highly specialized field of precision cleaning of spaceflight hardware. He joined Astro Pak in March of 2021 after a career of nearly 30 years at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, his work included serving as General Manager of the Chemical Analysis Laboratory and Spaceflight Hardware Precision Cleaning and Refurbishment Operation which included the Space Shuttle program. His other work included designing facility equipment and solvent delivery system as well as working with Boeing and NASA to replace the environmentally hazardous Freon 113 solvent. He also led a team collaborating with Lockheed to clean a contaminated titanium tubing system onboard the Orion space capsule without the need to remove it.

In his new role, Mr. Johnson plans on continuing his mandate “to build and lead a department whose mission is to position Astro Pak on the technological forefront of precision and high purity cleaning and to provide ongoing technical support for sales, operations, and business development.

Media Contact

Mary Cheng, Astro Pak, 9492700812, marketing@astropak.com, https://astropak.com/ 

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SOURCE Astro Pak

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Revolutionizing Heart Health: Frontier X Plus Gains FDA Clearance

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NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fourth Frontier, a medical technology company based out of New York and Bangalore, announced the 510(k) clearance of the Frontier X Plus from the U.S. FDA. The Frontier X Plus is an innovative single-lead, continuous ECG monitor that is worn around the chest and wirelessly relays the user’s ECG instantly to remote dashboards. A range of advanced algorithms identify and classify cardiac rhythm as Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Normal Sinus Rhythm, or Atrial Fibrillation. The device demonstrated best-in-class signal quality during a range of motions including during intense exercise. The wearable ECG monitor further demonstrated equivalence in the classification of cardiac arrhythmias when compared with the conventional 12-lead ECG, through clinical trials in India and the US.

According to the Center for Disease Control, one person dies every 33 seconds from Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and CVDs are responsible for one in every five deaths in the US. The American Heart Association reports that between three to six million Americans have reported an incidence of Atrial Fibrillation. This number is expected to rise to 16 million by 2050. Atrial Fibrillation has been described as a global epidemic and is a key indicator of reduced morbidity and mortality in individuals of all age groups. Globally, the incidence and prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been increasingly observed in younger individuals and is one of the leading reasons for premature death.

“We have seen cardiac arrhythmias develop in individuals of all ages, and the incidence is significantly higher for individuals who are both active and have cardiac health risk factors. The percentage of population that falls in the confluence of these categories is continuously rising. Since the FX+ is able to capture ECGs during all kinds of motion and activity, we think this will be a game changer and significantly improve the early detection of cardiovascular disease,” said Manav Bhushan, co-founder and CEO of Fourth Frontier.

With this clearance, the company plans to enter the US market as a prescription based, class II medical device. Fourth Frontier will partner with Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) and cardiac rehabilitation centers to offer at-home remote monitoring services. In the near future, the company has plans to introduce AI algorithms which analyse the ECG for early diagnosis of different kinds of heart conditions, a potential breakthrough for people using the device in their everyday lives.

About Fourth Frontier:

Fourth Frontier is a pioneering health tech company that builds and offers products and services for monitoring and improving heart health for people across the world.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality across the globe. Despite its importance, affordable products and services to monitor and improve heart health from the comfort of the home have not been available to consumers. Fourth Frontier is committed to solving this important problem.
With over 150 million minutes of data, 120,000+ users, and a presence in 4,000+ cities across 50+ countries, the device is trusted by people who want to enhance their heart health and fitness.
To learn more about Fourth Frontier, please visit www.fourthfrontier.com, or follow us on Linkedin or Twitter.

Media Contact: pr@fourthfrontier.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556495/Frontier_X_Plus.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556496/Fourth_Frontier_Logo.jpg

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/revolutionizing-heart-health-frontier-x-plus-gains-fda-clearance-302303932.html

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/R E P E A T — MEDIA ADVISORY- Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories to Make Critical Minerals Infrastructure Announcement/

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YELLOWKNIFE, NT, Nov. 8, 2024 /CNW/ – Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, will make a critical minerals infrastructure announcement on behalf of the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, alongside Caroline Wawzonek Northwest Territories Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Media availability will follow.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Time: 2 p.m. MT

All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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