NORBIC's client base consists of Illinois manufacturers in the Governor's Northeast Economic Development Region (Cook, Lake, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Kankakee and Will counties). Illinois' Northeast Economic Development Region has the nation's largest manufacturing sector. There are over 13,000 manufacturers in this region, representing a gross regional product in manufacturing of more than $59 billion. The area's manufacturing base is diversified across many industrial sectors, from metal and machinery, to printing, food and beverage, computers, furniture, transportation and everything in between. Manufacturing in Illinois’ Northeast Economic Development Region is dominated by older, privately held companies with fewer than 100 employees. These companies are struggling with challenges related to products at the end of their life cycles, older inefficient manufacturing processes, shrinking customer bases, and ownership succession. Since 2000, the region has lost over 100,000 manufacturing jobs with a disproportionate impact upon workers who are minorities and women, many of whom are residents of low income communities. While foreign competition contributed, a significant portion of the loss is attributable to failure of these businesses to adapt to a rapidly changing global marketplace. Owners and senior management of these manufacturers tend to operate in isolation and are not aware of the steps that they can take to renew their organizations. NORBIC assists Northeast Illinois manufacturers in making this adaptation so that they will remain a viable source of jobs in our community. In addition to providing its clients with thousands of hours of free and low cost consulting assistance, NORBIC has awarded over $2.3 million in grants since 2000. Through these programs, over the past 10 years NORBIC has had a significant impact upon its clients, including helping them win over $250 million in new government contracts and increasing international sales by $260 million. Through recent improvements in its business model, NORBIC expects to sharply increase the number of clients that it serves and the range of services it provides. NORBIC works with approximately 800 clients per year. Sample NORBIC clients include: DMS Pharmaceuticals, S&C Electric Company, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Radio Flyer, Mellish & Murray, Spectra Merchandising Inc., Howe Corporation and IRMCO.