PHOTO: Dan Janka, President of MAG IAS, LLC left, Brian Krzyaniak, Caterpillar-Aurora Powertrain Factory Manager, Jim Blass, Caterpillar Director of Product Validation and Global Technology and IVCC President Jerry Corcoran at a recent meeting at the Caterpillar Technology Center in Mossville.

IVCC partners with manufacturing giants to enhance CTC technology

Oct. 8, 2012: Illinois Valley Community College announced today a historic partnership with MAG IAS, LLC, the largest machine tool manufacturer in the United States, and the Caterpillar-Aurora, facility on a machinist program that will result in major equipment donations to the college.

“IVCC Machinist Training for Caterpillar” – a program already underway that is tailored specifically to meet Caterpillar’s training and production needs, will be strengthened with the installation of a $300,000 vertical machining center from MAG to the Computer Numerical Control Learning Lab in the new Peter Miller Community Technology Center.

In addition, a large horizontal machining center valued at $600,000 donated by Caterpillar will be consigned to MAG and retrofitted with MAG’s patented thru-spindle thru-tool Cryogenic Machining Technology at the new MAG Cryogenic research and development technical center located in Sterling Heights, Mich.

While consigned to MAG, the Cryogenic horizontal machining center will be used to develop Cryogenic machining processes specific for Caterpillar applications, said MAG President Daniel Janka, a native of La Salle and an IVCC alumnus.

“At the end of the consignment period, we will mutually decide where to move the Cryogenic horizontal machining center to support student training and to continue Cryogenic process development for Caterpillar,” said Janka.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said the partnership underscores IVCC’s commitment to meeting the needs of world-class manufacturers through high-quality training.

“Caterpillar and IVCC have become corporate partners with MAG in support of Cryogenic machining and training,” said Corcoran. “Our students will receive the high-tech, cutting-edge training that will put them in high-demand here at home with two of the world’s leading manufacturers.”

The donations are part of the $2.1 million CTC capital campaign launched in November by a $1 million pledge from Miller Group Charitable Trust.

MAG, one of the largest machine tool manufactures in the world employs 3,500 people at 32 facilities and is the market share leader in the heavy equipment, oil and gas, automotive power train, and aerospace industries and is one of Caterpillar’s global strategic technology partners.

Caterpillar, with 2011 sales and revenues over $60 billion, is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

The 30-week CNC training program, customized for Caterpillar by Jennifer Scheri of IVCC’s Business Training Center, was key to solidifying the partnership. Following 14 weeks of classroom and hands-on lab instruction and four weeks of machine- and tool-specific training, the first class of 10 employees will have 12 weeks of on-the-job training at Caterpillar-Aurora.

 “Programs like this are becoming very popular across the country as our industry has experienced the need for trained technical resources,” said Brian Krzyaniak, Caterpillar-Aurora Powertrain Factory Manager. “These programs coupled with the STEM programs, will enable our country to maintain its position as a world leader in manufacturing.

“We need to use these programs to teach our future employees the manufacturing jobs available today are much different than previous generations experienced. New technology such as Cryogenic machining will enable us to manufacture parts more efficiently,” Krzyaniak said.

 Jim Blass, Caterpillar Director of Product Validation and Global Technology, said “Innovation has always set Caterpillar apart and there’s a lot more to do, which is why we are pleased to partner with IVCC to enhance our machinist program.”

Corcoran said up to 600,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs remain unfilled as manufacturers desperately search for skilled machinists, welders, operators and engineers.

“Manufacturers need employees with math skills and the ability to use technology, computers and high-end electronics,” he said.

 “At a time when the Governor and General Assembly are being forced to make difficult choices regarding the sustainability of programs and services, I am proud of our board’s decision to move forward with this project. It will transform our training facilities and fortify our alliances with industry leaders like MAG and Caterpillar.

“As a member of the Illinois Network of Advanced Manufacturing, we are going to do everything we can to support specialized training to produce a workforce that will contribute to Illinois’ economic recovery,” he said.

 Corcoran credited the three graduates of IVCC’s mechanical technology program: Janka, Blass and Krzyaniak for making the partnership possible.

 “IVCC’s long reputation for quality is directly tied to its faculty and the fact Dan, Jim and Brian were all graduates of our program before moving on and achieving greatness is not just a coincidence,” said Corcoran.

 “They’ve all gone on to highly successful careers after being trained at IVCC and now they’re demonstrating their appreciation by giving back to the college and our community in a very significant way. Hall of fame instructor Don Haas deserves much of the credit for building our manufacturing technology program and now Tim Bias is carrying on that legacy.”