PMA to host International Congress of Manufacturers.
Press Release Summary:
The International Council of Sheet Metal Presswork Associations (ICOSPA) 16th International Congress will take place September 14-17, 2008, in Grand Rapids, MI. It will convene over 400 metalforming executives from more than 10 countries to discuss key industry business issues, review new technologies, and share industry-specific management practices. The theme of the 2008 Congress is "Shaping the world of metalforming - connecting ideas, best practices, and people."
Original Press Release:
Global Metalforming Executives to Gather in Grand Rapids for International Congress on Manufacturing Issues
CLEVELAND, OH - March 20, 2008 - The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) announced today that it will host the world's foremost gathering of international metalforming manufacturers, the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. The International Council of Sheet Metal Presswork Associations (ICOSPA) 16th International Congress will take place September 14-17, 2008, in Grand Rapids, MI.
Held in the United States for the first time since 1993, the ICOSPA Congress will convene over 400 metalforming executives from more than 10 countries to discuss key industry business issues, review new technologies and share industry-specific management practices. ICOSPA comprises metalforming trade associations from the United States, Germany, France, England, Japan and the Netherlands.
ICOSPA holds its International Congress every three years, hosted and organized on a rotating basis by one of its six member organizations. The theme of the 2008 congress is "Shaping the world of metalforming-connecting ideas, best practices and people."
The Congress will incorporate interactive sessions with well-known keynote speakers and panel presentations, opportunities to showcase the facilities of local metalforming companies, and a number of social and networking events. Among the events scheduled:
o John Snow, chairman/CEO of Cerberus Capital Management and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, and Jack Perkowski, chairman/CEO of ASIMCO (and featured in The World is Flat), discuss the impact of world economics on the metalforming industry (Mon. 9/15).
o Gary Convis, senior executive advisor for Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., and Fred Keller, chairman/CEO of Cascade Engineering, review the world market of metalforming-products, devices and beyond (Tues. 9/16).
o James Hackett, chairman/CEO of Steelcase Corp., and John Kennedy, chairman/CEO of Autocam Corp., will conduct presentations highlighting the latest innovations in metalforming (Wed. 9/17).
The worldclass manufacturing companies opening their doors to attendees during the conference are: Trans-Matic Mfg. Co., Haworth Inc., Grand Haven Stamped Products, Shape Corp., GR Spring and Stamping, Irwin Seating Co., Pridgeon and Clay, and Steelcase Inc.
The conference also will feature a special reception for next-generation leaders from each participating country.
The 2008 ICOSPA Congress would not be possible without the generous support of several worldclass companies who have sponsored the event. The title sponsors are National City Bank and Nucor, and day sponsors are Plexus Systems, Seyi Presses, Komatsu America Industries, Mill Steel and AIDA America.
Anyone wishing to register or learn more about this unique opportunity to meet worldclass metalforming manufacturers should visit www.icospa.com/2008 or contact PMA at 216-901-8800.
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America-the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating and other value-added processes. Its nearly 1200 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Members are located in 30 countries, with the majority found in North America-in 41 states of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.
Contact:
Christie Carmigiano
Government, Safety & Public Affairs Manager
Precision Metalforming Association
Phone: 216/901-8800
Fax: 216/901-9190
E-mail: ccarmigiano@pma.org
Web site: www.pma.org
