Manufacturing chiefs are increasingly eager, however, to expand U.S. production for a variety of reasons, ranging from the relative improvement in domestic labor costs compared with places like China, to the fact that only highly skilled American workers can handle some manufacturing tasks now; to the relatively weak dollar; to the reward that many brands still get from American consumers when goods are stamped “Made in the USA.”
“Being able to brand something ‘Made in the USA’ is an important thing that consumers really do pay attention to, and it’s a big part of the consideration set of a lot of CEOs for moving back to America or making it here in the first place,” Dick Sheehy, director of advanced planning and site selection for CH2M Hill, told CEO Manufacturing Briefing. “Even middle-class consumers in China now are preferring ‘made-in-the-USA’ and are willing to pay the higher costs.”
An impact also is being made by local companies that have succeeded, such as WeatherTech, a Chicago-area maker of digitally measured, premium-priced automotive floor mats. Founder and owner David MacNeil ponied up $4 million for the $400-million-plus company to tout its domestic-manufacturing message in a Super Bowl TV ad last February.
Another big enabler of the made-in-America “movement” is Shinola, a Detroit-based company that makes watches and other fashion accessories. Last year, the company came up with a “Makers Monday” campaign for consumers to buy American on the first day after Thanksgiving. It also encourages consumers to share their spending pledge—and, later, their American-made purchase—on their social networks.
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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.
