Advisors

As 2025 draws to a close, NWIRC CEO Sara Hanks reflects on a year of transition — a true season of discovery, inspiration, and collaboration working with manufacturers in the region. nwirc.org/season-of-disc…

Manufacturing challenges often begin long before production—at the design stage. NWIRC's new training, 'Design for Manufacturability' guides you through proven DFM principles. The class is scheduled for January 13 in Erie: nwirc.org/events/design-…

DIFM26 (Driving Impact for Manufacturers) conference may be next year, but technically it's only 3 months away! Hear directly from keynote speaker, Garrison Wynn, about his plan for the conference in Erie on March 25, 2026. nwirc.org/difm26-manufac…

NWIRC's Employee Training & Development Catalog is on it's way to a mailbox near you. If you are at a manufacturing company in northwest or north central PA and not on our mailing list, you can request a catalog to be mailed or download a PDF copy here. nwirc.org/training-event…

Introducing the Keynote Speaker for DIFM26 (Driving Impact for Manufacturers) - a manufacturing conference hosted by NWIRC coming on March 25, 2026. Read more... nwirc.org/change-is-mand…

"When companies support employees in earning credentials, they’re not just checking a training box—they’re building a culture of problem-solvers who drive real, measurable impact. The SME Lean Bronze certification is a prime example." nwirc.org/lean-thinking-…

"As we get ready to turn the page into a new year, many of us feel the familiar pull to get organized, be more productive, or finally manage our time better. But what if the real shift isn’t about doing more—it’s about thinking differently?" nwirc.org/time-managemen…

Can we think about time - not as something we “manage” - but something we choose? For years, we’ve been told that better calendars and endless productivity hacks are the answer. But what if the real challenge isn’t the clock at all - it’s our mindset? nwirc.org/events/time-ma…

Last newsletter of the year - check out the December 2025 issue! nwirc.org/resource-cente…

NWIRC’s powerhouse duo of Operational Excellence Specialists - Shane Cantrell and Chad Courtney - are raising the bar. On Dec 17, Chad leads a deep-dive on 5S & the 8 Wastes. Say goodbye to tangled workflows, cluttered workstations, and wasted time. nwirc.org/events/unlocki…

Hours become days, days become months… and suddenly 2025 is nearly gone. How did you spend your time this year? We have a session on Dec 11th to shift how you think about time management. nwirc.org/events/time-ma…

Our Maintenance Master facilitator is back for another session in this six month program! For the past 2 days, they've been at the The Warren Company in Erie - spending some time in the classroom and on the shop floor discussing the fundamentals of maintenance management.

If you missed getting in on the AI Explorer training series that is currently off and running - here's another chance. We have another group starting January 29. Space for this series is limited to 20, so important to sign up early. nwirc.org/events/ai-expl…

Get your team aligned and your strategy dialed in. This workshop, led by NWIRC's Lisa Pustelak, will provide the launch pad to get started with a new or updated strategic plan - just in time for the new year! nwirc.org/training-event…

On this Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who’ve served our country, and are pausing to think about those currently serving. A heartfelt thanks to NWIRC’s own Veteran's: Jennifer Baker, Michael Griffith, and Tom Weible. Your dedication makes a difference every day.

SMART-PA offers Pennsylvania manufacturing companies free assessments, expert guidance, and mini-grants to help you adopt smart technologies like automation, data analytics, and IoT. Read more about the program... nwirc.org/smart-pa-accel…

To those having leadership challenges within their teams - is it because of will (unwilling to do what's needed to shift culture) or skill (lacking the skills to do so)? Read more... nwirc.org/are-your-leade…