Matthew Wagner, CATI’s executive director, said the group piloted two services in 2006 with Kenosha-area manufacturers.
One of the services, called InovaDRIVE, is designed to assist manufacturers with identifying new product development opportunities or to evaluate the expansion of their current production line into higher margin industries. The second service, called InovaSOURCE, is for companies seeking information on trends, new research and technologies and individual and corporate contacts within their industry.
Wagner said he and other CATI officials began designing the services after speaking with several small and midsize manufacturers who couldn’t afford to staff a research and development team or didn’t have the manpower to search online for business expansion opportunities.
CATI worked with Vista International Packaging, L.L.C. in Kenosha in 2006 using InovaDRIVE. Vista International Packaging is a food packaging supplier to the meat, poultry and cheese industry.
David Hagman, Vista’s chief executive officer, came to CATI looking for a “think tank,” he said.
“CATI came to the rescue,” he said. “The relationship between us has evolved into a strategic partnership that will flesh out new market opportunities in packaging.”