Manufacturers convene for Manufacturing for Growth meeting.
Press Release Summary:
On March 3-6, more than 650 manufacturing executives attended inaugural Manufacturing for Growth Meeting, which was organized by AMT, AMTDA, NTMA, and PMA. Associations comprise more than 4,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers and distributors that provide products for aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, and medical industries. By sharing resources, meeting enabled attendees to exchange best practices as industry seeks to reassert and expand its U.S. economic footprint.
Original Press Release:
Hundreds of Manufacturers Convene for Inaugural "Manufacturing for Growth" Meeting
Plans Already Set for Next Meeting in Orlando, FL
CLEVELAND, OH- Based on the success of the first "Manufacturing for Growth" Meeting, four manufacturing trade associations announced plans today to hold a second conference next year on March 8-11, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, FL.
More than 650 manufacturing executives attended the inaugural MFG Meeting, held March 3-6, 2011, in Chandler, AZ. The event was organized by AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA), the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).
Together, the four associations comprise more than 4,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers and distributors from all 50 states that provide products for the aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, medical and many other industries in the United States and abroad. By sharing resources, the MFG Meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to exchange best practices as the industry seeks to reassert and expand its U.S. economic footprint.
Manufacturing has made its way to the big screen recently, and the MFG Meeting featured the highlights. Friday led off with a Tom Brokaw feature from a recent episode of NBC Nightly News that discussed the changing face of manufacturing - and featured some of the companies in attendance at MFG. On Saturday, the debut of "The Edge Factor Show" drew an emotional response from the audience with an episode about the manufacturing process behind the drill used to rescue the Chilean miners last October. That drill was made by Center Rock, Inc., of Berlin, Pa., and the company was cited by President Barack Obama in his State of the Union address. Center Rock COO Dan Bagley also made a presentation at MFG. The event also featured numerous dynamic business sessions, including a keynote from noted demographer and futurist Kenneth Gronbach, as well as roundtable discussions and social events for participants to network with their peers.
"As the sponsor of MFG, our expectations were set very high," said Brian Norris, Vice President of Marketing for Sandvik Coromant, a conference sponsor. "I can say without a doubt that the conference delivered. The mix of customers, machine tool partners and industry associations was unique and I was impressed by the high quality speakers and interesting topics. Most importantly, I had plenty of networking opportunities with other attendees."
AMTDA President & CEO Peter Borden said, "It was energizing to see the nearly 700 manufacturing leaders gathered together, hearing a positive message about the importance of manufacturing; how to grow it, and networking on how we all improve it. The MFG Meeting provided great interaction and energy. I'm excited to see us build on this event in 2012."
"The MFG Meeting was an outstanding opportunity for top manufacturing leaders from the four associations to develop new business relationships; learn from cutting edge speakers about markets, management and technical developments; and hone their personal insights about the critical success factors for their business and for manufacturing," said PMA President Bill Gaskin.
"The MFG Meeting was a resounding success for our members and business partners," said NTMA President Dave Tilstone. "The networking opportunities were cited as one of the most important and engaging aspects of the conference. The speakers provided timely and insightful information to lead our members through the business challenges and exciting market opportunities in the coming months. This meeting was a pivotal point for those companies that are ready to improve profitability and capitalize on the growth potential made available to our manufacturers."
"I believe that MFG accomplished exactly what it set out to do - bringing together a broad spectrum of the manufacturing industry for networking, collaboration and discussion," said AMT President Douglas K. Woods. "Coming together in this way is essential to revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing industry. The feedback we received from our members was overwhelmingly positive, and the conference content was first-class. We look forward to being part of an even bigger event next year."
For more information on The MFG Meeting, visit the web site: www.theMFGmeeting.com
About AMT:
Founded in 1902 as the National Machine Tool Builders' Association, AMT supports and promotes the U.S. manufacturing technology industry. The association provides U.S. builders of manufacturing systems with the latest information on technical developments, trade and marketing opportunities, and economic issues. www.AMTonline.org
About AMTDA:
Founded in 1925, AMTDA is a trade association dedicated to advancing the marketing of machine tools in the United States through distribution. The 250 machine tool distributor members represent the latest in manufacturing technology and machine tools in the international marketplace. These companies encompass over 80 percent of all distribution sales in the United States and serve as a vital link between builders and end-users of machine tools and related products. www.AMTDA.org
About NTMA:
NTMA is the national association representing the precision custom manufacturing industry, which employs more than 440,000 skilled workers in the United States and generates sales in excess of $40 billion a year. NTMA's nearly 1,300 member companies design and manufacture special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, gages, special machines and precision-machined parts. Some firms specialize in experimental research and development work. www.NTMA.org
About PMA:
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $113-billion metalforming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1,000 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. www.PMA.org
