ING Celebrates 10 Years: An Interview with Founder Chris Simmons

The Industrial Networking Group (ING) is celebrating 10 years. GroundBreak Carolinas recently sat down with ING founder Chris Simmons to discuss the group’s growth and success.

What is ING? 

The Industrial Network Group is a network of industrial professionals focused on improving their skills, increasing their network, and gaining more opportunities for their company.  This is accomplished through joining a local chapter and having access to a variety of meetings and events designed to build relationships and increase connections.

What moved you to start ING?

I was responsible for driving business to the Mechanical Contractor that I represented.  Our primary targets were manufacturers and industrial facilities.  I was unable to find a group of individuals that was focused on maintenance, capital projects, expansions, and new construction within the industrial sector.

What is your value proposition?

By joining an ING chapter, industrial professionals will automatically increase their sales force, resulting in an opportunity to generate new business through valuable local connections.  Our motto is that your net worth often is a reflection of your network.

In addition, by building strong relationships with other amazing industrial professionals, members are able to become a valuable resource to their clients who are needing support from other product or service providers.  Members become the “go to person” for their clients.

How can a company benefit from joining ING?

The company benefits in multiple ways.  First and foremost, their business development and sales professionals will be able to gain more knowledge of current and future industrial projects as well as gain valuable information regarding the key people within their targeted prospects.  Secondly, the company will gain by receiving qualified leads each month from their chapters which in turn will help their salespeople become more productive and effective.  Lastly, the company will benefit tremendously by growing their sales force without increasing their payroll.

Where do you have chapter locations?

The ING is currently in the following states: South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and North Dakota with plans to move to new states in 2025.

What can a company do to learn more or get engaged?

Visit the IndustrialNetworkGroup.com or send an email to Andrea Sipka.