As the Strategic Marketing Manager for the last 5 years at CIFT, I’ve been blessed to get to see how innovation can only truly make an impact when it’s successfully implemented in Food and Manufacturing. At CIFT, innovation is something we take seriously, working hard to ensure that new ideas get beyond the conceptual stage to deliver tangible results with our partners. As a proud partner of the Ohio and National MEP, we’re able to provide support every step of the way, from the initial assessment and feasibility studies to the integration of advanced technologies like Industry 4.0 and Industrial AI. Our drive is simple: to turn your challenges into opportunities, with solutions tailored to the unique needs of your business.
A Proven Approach to Delivering Results
One thing I’ve learned in my career is that decisions made without data will fall flat, so at CIFT, we make sure everything we recommend is backed by real-world evidence. We’ve been fortunate to work with hundreds of manufacturers and food processors across Ohio, partnering to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver higher-quality products. What makes me especially proud is the relationships we’ve built—relationships that show just how effective and sustainable our approach is. Often not a single project, but many over the years helping them scale, grow, and compete. These partnerships are a testament to the real, measurable growth and competitive edge our clients achieve through our working with us.
Leveraging Strategic Partnerships
One of the things that sets CIFT apart is our ability to tap into a vast network of resources and expertise through our role as an MEP partner. This means we’re not working in a silo. We collaborate with partner academic institutions, industry experts, and government agencies to utilize resources and deliver the best possible solutions. This approach allows our partners to benefit from cutting-edge innovation and best practices that are often not available to businesses working alone.
Ensuring Compliance and Quality Assurance
For those of you in the food processing industry, you know that compliance with safety and quality standards isn’t optional—it’s foundational. At CIFT, we don’t just help our clients meet these standards; we work with them to go above and beyond. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements or implementing robust quality systems, our team has the experience to help your operations run even more smoothly and compliantly. For manufacturers, our expertise in quality certifications can open doors to new markets, allowing you to scale while maintaining your competitive position.
Tailored Solutions for Unique Challenges
No two businesses are the same, and I believe this is where CIFT truly has a unique value proposition. We understand that what works for one company may not work for another. We know this because our team often has real-world experience working at and for a large swath of companies. That’s why we design every solution to the specific needs and goals of each client. Whether you’re a small manufacturer exploring lean initiatives or a food processor bringing a new product to market, our approach is flexible, customized, and designed to deliver the optimal solution for your challenges. And as sustainability has become more critical and often a requirement, we help our partners integrate environmentally friendly practices that enhance operational efficiency and long-term growth.
Workforce Development and Training: Building for the Future
In today’s competitive landscape, having a skilled workforce is essential. A workforce built on having and enhancing skills creates a culture that both attracts but also retains your people. That’s why we offer workforce development programs that provide training, certifications, and skills development to ensure your team is ready to meet today’s challenges and continue to grow Whether it’s upskilling current employees or training new hires, we make sure to provide you with unique options that fit your needs to grow and succeed.
The CIFT Difference: Customized Support for Lasting Results
The challenges facing manufacturers and food processors may share similarities, but we recognize that the solutions can’t be one-size-fits-all. Our position as an MEP partner, combined with our specialized focus on innovative and tailored solutions, allows us to deliver real impact. Whether you’re looking to boost efficiency, integrate new technologies, or ensure compliance, CIFT is here to help you navigate these complexities and come out stronger.
I’m proud of our team and organization, where we don’t measure our success by the bottom line or profit margins, but by quantifiable metrics that show growth and competitiveness for our partners. If we can help you, please don’t hesitant to reach out to our team today to start the conversation.
