Monday and Tuesday Morning Sessions, August 1 & 2, 7:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

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Competing in the Global Economy

Brought on principally by global competition, the requirements for manufacturing performance have never been so high. Today’s most competitive manufacturers have learned how to produce extremely high quality at low cost, both consistently and repetitively. The consumer has been the winner with extensive product choices at incredibly low prices.

With global access to low-cost labor, no aspect of manufacturing can afford to remain static. Leading manufacturers assess their global strategies while they simultaneously consider the optimal combination of advanced technologies. Unfortunately, lower volumes and operating margins today often limit the choices and increase the risk of poor decisions. Operationally, world-class manufacturers have to address product and process standardization (to promote lean), need a broad systems life-cycle perspective of cost, and need to remain agile. No one ever said it was going to be easy–but very few thought it would be this hard.

This year, the world-class manufacturing seminars will focus on presentations and discussions about how manufacturers are addressing these challenges. Key topics will include global manufacturing strategies, systems planning, and building and sustaining technological competitiveness. We will discuss new business models involving collaborative relationships between customers and competitors. We will also present specific case examples on manufacturing cost reduction through design and implementing new manufacturing technologies.

This year, the world-class manufacturing seminars will focus on presentations and discussions about how manufacturers are addressing these challenges. Key topics will include global manufacturing strategies, systems planning, and building and sustaining technological competitiveness. We will discuss new business models involving collaborative relationships between customers and competitors. We will also present specific case examples on manufacturing cost reduction through design and implementing new manufacturing technologies.
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