SME collaborates on webinar for manufacturers.
Press Release Summary:
SME, along with other associations that produce FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show, have collaborated to produce 60 min webinar that discusses economy and how it impacts manufacturers. Webinar is presented by Chris Kuehl, PhD, economic analyst with FMA, who states, rather than make drastic cuts or take desperate measures, greater efficiency can best benefit companies in getting through recession. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicts upturn in economy later this year.
Original Press Release:
When the Recession Ends, Will America's Manufacturers Be Ready?
Free Webinar Shows Manufacturers How to Survive the Recession and Prepare for the Recovery
DEARBORN, Mich., May 27, 2009 - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently announced before Congress that the economy should experience an upturn later this year. Welcome news after a year that has been unwelcoming. And history shows that it's the period immediately following a recession that offers the most opportunity for businesses.
In the case of manufacturers, being prepared can be the difference between succeeding or failing when the recession does end.
The industry associations that produce the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, including METALFORM tradeshow - Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), along with the American Welding Society (AWS), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) - are working together to help manufacturers survive the recession and be ready for the turnaround. For example, a 60-minute webinar, which is available now at www.fabtechexpo.com/video/webinar.cfm discusses the economy and how it impacts manufacturers. The webinar is presented by Chris Kuehl, PhD, an economic analyst with FMA.
"During tough times there's often a tendency to go into survival mode to ration or cutback on everything. Rather than making drastic cuts or taking desperate measures, greater efficiency can be your best bet for coming out on the other side of the recession," said Kuehl.
"Now is not the time to abandon product lines or stop promotions such as advertising or attending tradeshows. Now's the time to keep your customers in mind, keep your service standards high and play up your strengths while working on your weaknesses," added Kuehl.
Around the time Bernanke projects an improvement in the economy, FABTECH will bring the metalforming, fabricating and welding industries together to discover new products and vendors and gain valuable business-building knowledge at McCormick Place in Chicago, November 15-18, 2009.
"FABTECH will provide manufacturers great opportunities to take their businesses to the next level. By far, the U.S. is still the world's leading manufacturer and the value of our goods is about $1.6 trillion with manufacturing making up about 12 percent of our GDP. We can't achieve a healthy economy without it," said Kuehl.
To register for the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, including METALFORM, call 800.733.4763 or 313.425.3000, ext. 4500 (outside the U.S. and Canada), or online at www.fabtechexpo.com.
About FMA
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA), is a professional organization with more than 2,300 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, and networking events, while providing the resources needed by companies to improve operations. FMA's technology affiliate, the Tube & Pipe Association, Intl (TPA), focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating. Visit www.fmanet.org for more information.
About AWS
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 sections and student chapters. For more information, visit www.aws.org.
About SME
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events and activities, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning all manufacturing industries and disciplines, plus the key areas of aerospace and defense, medical device, motor vehicles, including motorsports, and oil and gas. A 501(c)3 organization, SME has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of technical communities and chapters worldwide.
About PMA
The Precision Metalforming Association is the full-service trade association representing the $91-billion metalforming industry of North America. Its 1100 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. Through advocacy, networking, statistics, the Educational Foundation, METALFORM tradeshows and MetalForming magazine, PMA helps lead innovative member companies toward superior competitiveness and profitability. Visit www.pma.org.
