When people think of Iowa, they should think of industry and manufacturing.

At least that’s what Ron Cox, director of the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) believes.

CIRAS is celebrating 40 years of service to Iowa’s manufacturers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Howe Hall Thursday. Iowa manufacturers, ISU faculty, students and staff are invited to the celebration.

“Manufacturing is the largest economic sector in Iowa,” Cox said. “The state depends on manufacturing.”

CIRAS provides education and individualized technical assistance in engineering, management practices, procurement, productivity and quality management to 5,000 manufacturers in Iowa.

“The primary goal [of CIRAS] is the main mission of a land grant university,” Cox said. “To help people in Iowa have a great quality of life.”

The 40th anniversary celebration will include displays of CIRAS achievements, current projects and a display of the new Segway Human Transporter, a self-balancing human transporter being used by the College of Engineering to give campus tours to freshmen. There will also be a short program in the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium with talks from Cox, James Melsa, dean of the College of Engineering, Mike Ouart, associate vice provost for Cooperative Extension Service, and Mike Goble, chair of the CIRAS advisory council. A reception will follow the program.

Melsa said CIRAS is important to Iowa because of the huge percentage of small manufacturing companies within the state that often need expert advice and assistance.

“CIRAS can help connect them with the experts and help the companies be more competitive,” he said.

The division also serves an important purpose in helping ISU students get real world experience, Melsa said.

The original model for CIRAS was developed in 1962 by George Town, then dean of the College of Engineering. The following year it was formally established by the Iowa Legislature.

CIRAS is the third oldest industrial extension system in the country and a forerunner in technical assistance, said Cox.

“CIRAS, since interception, has adapted to its clients’ needs and the industry’s environment,” Cox said.

“Based on how the industry changes, we adapt. We are constantly adapting.”