Fifty years ago, during the high-water mark of American economic dominance, 29% of the workers in the U.S. were in manufacturing. Today that figure is closer to 11%. Historically, “invented in the USA” meant made in the USA. Today, that no longer holds true. Apple can design and distribute iPods, iPhones and iPads in the U.S. without having any significant production facilities here at all.
How big do you need to be to make intelligent machinery and processes work for your company?
Every time a site consultant or state economic-development official turns around, some automaker or large supplier is expanding a plant, ordering tooling for a promising future model, domesticating production that occurred offshore or even plotting a whole new facility. It’s happening across America’s increasingly prosperous auto belt.
It’s no secret that American manufacturing has faced a number of significant obstacles. People say the industry is known for low wages, subpar working condition, and continual quality control issues, none of which help attract new workers — but are those actually the biggest challenges facing manufacturing right now?
A new report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors details the impact the energy sector has had on manufacturing in the nation’s metropolitan areas since 2010, and shows how the new availability of inexpensive natural gas has ignited manufacturing industries and chemicals. Manufacturing CEOs are at the sharp end of the spear in reviving the country’s economic fortune.
Is crowdsourcing the new front line for demand-driven manufacturing? Foodmanufacturing.com editor Holly Henschen reports that food processors are trying to use social media to identify new product formulations and hopefully boost new customers and advertisers.
Battery technology is at the heart of the future of electric vehicles because range is still a limiting factor. Michael Bernstein of the American Chemical Society reports on recent research on the latest advances that could render not only a significant boost for electric vehicles, but other sectors that benefit from extended battery life.
Both Walmart and 3D Systems announced initiatives that will hopefully bring about new manufacturing jobs or reshore some production in the U.S. over the next ten years.
Best known for its use in prototypes, additive manufacturing — better known as 3D printing — is being used by companies big and small for developing the latest products. With additive manufacturing technology becoming more accessible and cheaper every year, one can easily envision a time when every hospital –maybe every doctor’s office–has one on-hand.
The list hasn’t changed much in recent years, but it highlights the need to improve safety on the plant floor.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
