“Made in the USA” is a hot pursuit for manufacturing CEOs these days. By 2015, the Boston Consulting Group predicts that cost advantages over parts of Asia and Europe will drive more companies back to the U.S. generating as many as 5 million manufacturing jobs by the end of the decade.
Manufacturers are constantly looking at new technologies to improve processes, cut costs and expand the breadth and depth of products they provide to customers. But how do you decide on the best way to get access to the needed technology?
Everyone is talking about reshoring these days. Last week, there was an entire conference dedicated to the subject at Mississippi State University. In attendance was the Mississippi Merchandise Manager for Walmart, who said, “We have made the commitment that in the next 10 years, we are going to purchase an additional $250 billion of U.S. manufactured goods.”
Factory equipment is becoming increasingly Internet-enabled (part of the much referenced “Internet of Things” or “IoT”), and digital technology is helping engineers improve turnaround and uptime, while giving companies more tools to improve delivery time forecasting and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in production waste, loss productivity and energy.
You would think that Hollywood would be the largest employer in the LA market. Not so. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, manufacturing is the No. 1 job category in LA, with 510,000 manufacturing jobs, outpacing Chicago and New York.
Have questions about whether you would benefit from onshoring? This case study from bicycle manufacturer Kent International might help answer them.
On Day One of the 2014 Smart Manufacturing Summit, May 20th in Peoria, Ill., Chief Executive’s CEO Marshall Cooper presented Doug Oberhelman, CEO of Caterpillar, with the 2014 Leadership in American Manufacturing Award.
The University of Tennessee set out to research some of the world’s most successful strategic partnerships—including those at P&G, McDonald’s and Microsoft—to see how and why these relationships added value. The research identified five principles that CEOs everywhere can use to transform supplier relationships.
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.
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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.
