Global manufacturing forum to highlight 2010 Summit

Even as American manufacturing leaders work to emerge from the two-year recession, many already are looking to expand operations to new markets in every part of the world. And manufacturing leaders in every part of the world are taking a fresh look at the U.S. manufacturing landscape to get closer to their customers and deliver quality products to the rest of the world.

February 1, 2010

Even as American manufacturing leaders work to emerge from the two-year recession, many already are looking to expand operations to new markets in every part of the world. And manufacturing leaders in every part of the world are taking a fresh look at the U.S. manufacturing landscape to get closer to their customers and deliver quality products to the rest of the world.

The interdependency of the U.S. and global manufacturing markets will be the subject of a Global Manufacturing Forum that will be part of the 2010 Manufacturing/Automation Summit.

The 2010 Manufacturing/Automation Summit, hosted by Plant Engineering and Control Engineering, will be held March 28-30 at the Hotel Sofitel in Chicago. The three-day event will bring together some of the top industry experts to tackle key issues facing manufacturing in the U.S.

The Global Manufacturing Forum will feature speakers from IBM, Siemens, Hannover Messe and other industry leaders. “We want to lay the groundwork for the post-recession manufacturing expansion,” said Plant Engineering editor Bob Vavra, who will moderate the Forum. “In order to do this, we need to take an in-depth look at why some high-quality manufacturing is making its way to the U.S., and what opportunities may be available for U.S. companies to bring their products to emerging markets.”

For the fifth straight year, IBM will be the platinum sponsor of the Manufacturing/Automation Summit. Other sponsors for the 2010 event include Infor, Mobil Industrial Lubricants, Siemens and Hannover Messe.

The 2010 Manufacturing/Automation Summit will begin on Sunday, March 28 with a cocktail reception and awards event for the 2010 Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Awards. The evening will continue with a night of entertainment at Chicago’s famed Second City comedy club.

On Monday, March 29, the Summit’s work begins at 9 a.m. with a discussion of enterprise asset management led by Plant Engineering editor Bob Vavra. At 10:30 a.m., a panel of experts will look at ways to turn your maintenance operation from a cost center into a profit center.

After lunch, Control Engineering editorial director David Greenfield will lead a discussion on issues surrounding energy and sustainability, an issue of growing importance to manufacturers of all types.

At 6 p.m. on Monday, a cocktail reception will precede the presentation of the 2009 Plant Engineering Product of the Year awards. Winners in 17 categories will be honored with this year’s trophies.

On Tuesday, March 30 at 8 a.m., the 2009 Top Plant award winner, Siemens Industry Inc. in Norwood, OH will receive its award. That will be followed at 9 a.m. by a look at global manufacturing and how U.S. manufacturers can grow their existing business in a changing international environment. As part of that discussion, Plant Engineering will present findings of its 2010 Changing World study.

The 2010 Summit will conclude with a box lunch and tour of the S&C Electric plant in Chicago. S&C Electric is Chicago’s largest manufacturing operation and a past Top Plant award recipient.

The $395 conference fee includes passes to all events and all meals on-site at the Hotel Sofitel. For 2010, attendees who pay the $395 conference fee can bring a friend or colleague at no additional cost.

To register for the 2010 Manufacturing/Automation Summit, go to the 2010 Summit registration page at www.plantengineering.com/summit or www.controleng.com/summit .