Explore the new millennium of manufacturing at the National Show and Conference

As the world waits for the new century to begin, plant engineers are grappling with the fast-paced changes occurring in industry — and what the result will be for American manufacturing. The National Plant Engineering MRO & Management Show and Conference — part of National Manufacturing Week — is fully prepared to help plant engineers remain on the cutting edge of American manufacturing and compete globally in the new millennium.

First, and most comprehensive, show

The National Plant Engineering Show has the distinction of being the first, as well as the most comprehensive, industry event of the new century. It offers innovative ideas for cutting costs and improving reliability and productivity while meeting or exceeding required quality standards. It is North America’s only event that provides a mix spanning the entire spectrum from maintenance and repair to operations and systems solutions.

At the 1999 event, more than 650 companies displayed at least 50 product categories and vital services to help maximize plant productivity and profitability. From CMMS/software-based management systems, energy management, fluid handling, and HVAC & refrigeration systems to environmental control equipment, industrial packaging, and power transmission, the National Plant Engineering Show delivers everything needed for successful plant operation and facility management.

For easy product sourcing, a number of specialty pavilions and halls will be available. These special product areas include Safety, Health & Environmental; Software; Tools; Fluid Handling; Lighting; Energy & Power; Material Handling & Logistics; Buildings & Grounds; and — new for 2000 — the Global Manufacturing Solution Center.

Information for the new century

Progressive plant and facility managers and engineers are expected to attend this market-leading conference in search of hot technologies, new solutions, and professional development. E-commerce, cost-cutting measures, productivity, integration, and quality issues are among the critical topics that will be addressed during more than 120 sessions. The conference program is the only one in industry to offer eight cross-functional tracks, allowing and encouraging professionals to learn more about the closely inter-related disciplines that impact their own positions and decisions.

Manufacturing professionals can select sessions from any combination of the tracks to create a customized course schedule to meet their own personal and professional needs. There are several tracks of critical importance to plant engineers.

Asset Utilization & Facilities Management — Improving the effectiveness of plant and facility equipment is the first step toward maximizing contributions to corporate profitability. Learn the best-practice methods that will gain the greatest value and flexibility for the enterprise.

Manufacturing Process & Quality — Conferees will be brought up to speed on the latest strategies for quality and manufacturing improvement. Leading industry experts will show how to improve technology, manufacturing processes, and team capabilities.

IT in the Enterprise — From CIO to manufacturing manager, everyone who must evaluate and leverage existing and emerging technologies will find the sessions in this track a valuable resource. Understanding the changes and impact of IT will help improve strategies for greater enterprise growth.

Management in a Global Economy — The new global economy is here — and continually evolving. Discover the proven management strategies for better enterprise performance in the current international environment and the skills required by the workplace for the next generation manufacturing enterprise.

Supply Chain Management — Find out how to reduce carrying costs, increase forecast accuracy, achieve flexibility in manufacturing, and ultimately improve cash flow in a changing global economy as well as how to enhance the company’s competitive global advantage.

This year’s conference will also offer Certification Programs enabling plant engineers and facilities managers the opportunity to gain valuable certification in select job function areas. Offered through the Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE), the Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) program guides the participants in preparing for the CPMM exam.

In addition to the conference program, industry visionaries will present three special conference keynotes. William Reedy, vice president of Transaction Systems IBM Software Group will discuss “Business Integration;” Eric Marks, principal consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, will share “Information Darwinism — The Internet and Its Impact on Manufacturers;” and Earle Steinberg, vice president, Supply Chain and Manufacturing, A.T. Kearney, will present “Asset Productivity: Finding Hidden Value for Shareholders.” For the complete course schedule and to register, visit www.manufacturingweek.com.

Special events

A large array of special features and events is one of the hallmarks of National Manufacturing Week and the National Plant Engineering Show. These programs are designed to provide insight and counsel from industry’s innovators.

The week will kick-start at 9:00 a.m. on Monday with an industry-wide keynote presentation by Dow Bauknight, global manufacturing partner, Anderson Consulting’s Supply Chain Practice. Attendees will hear first-hand where the new manufacturing is headed. The industry-wide keynote is free to all badge holders.

Tuesday brings the New Millennium CEO Panel offered as an event-wide keynote from 8:00-9:30 a.m. A panel of industry visionaries will offer their predictions for the future as it relates across all areas of manufacturing. This presentation will provide a glimpse of what manufacturers can expect as they compete in the fast-paced, increasingly global world of manufacturing. This first-of-its kind CEO panel discussion will be moderated by Fortune magazine and will include Chip Drapeau, CEO, PSDI/Maximo; Keith Nasbusch, president/CEO, Rockwell Automation; John Mazzola, president, Unigraphics; and Jerry Jasinowski, president, National Association of Manufacturers.

The 2nd Annual IT Town Meeting will be held from 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Key IT executives will gather to share how information technology will be the enabling force taking manufacturers to even greater heights of productivity in the 21st Century. This year’s topic will be “Evaluating Your E-Commerce Strategy,” and will be moderated by Industry Analyst Bill Swanton, Advanced Manufacturing Research, Boston, MA.

Fortune magazine will be celebrating the “Heroes of Manufacturing” during a special reception on Tuesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. in McCormick Place’s South Hall Grand Ballroom. All badge holders are invited to attend this special presentation where Fortune editors will reveal this year’s recipients and discuss the contributions those individuals have made to advancing manufacturing in today’s marketplace.

Technology continues to play an important role in this year’s National Manufacturing Week through two presentation theaters offering in- formative and educational vendor presentations to industry professionals across all four days. In the Global Manufacturing Solutions Theater, attendees can hear 45-min vendor case histories that could be applied to help save time and money, while improving productivity. The Design Technology Theater will offer 45-min vendor sessions on new technology, next generation applications, and solutions that can put product development into high gear.

Industry professionals can navigate around National Manufacturing Week and have the opportunity to win great prizes by mapping their route to integrated manufacturing with the “Great American Getaway Sweepstakes.” To participate in the Sweepstakes, pick up a “Passport” at any of the three express check-in locations on the show floor.

If exporting is a priority for your company, learn from the United States Department of Commerce’s Export Center. The Center will offer the latest information, computer demos, and counseling from the export professionals of the Trade Information Center. “Using the Internet to Boost Your Exports” will be offered Wednesday to those manufacturers looking to compete globally. Industry professionals can visit the STAT USA/USDOC booth for time and place details and to preview this key service offered through the U.S. Government.

Key concepts

The 51st presentation offers cutting-edge solutions, technical information, and special events for today’s plant engineer.

About 700 companies encompassing at least 50 product categories and services will be available.

Over 120 technical sessions in eight cross-functional tracks will provide valuable insight for the new millennium.

National Manufacturing Week 2000

N ational Manufacturing Week, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2000, is the umbrella for four market-leading events: National Plant Engineering Show and Conference, National Industrial Automation Show and Conference; National Industrial Enterprise IT Show and Conference; and National Design Engineering Show and Conference. Together they comprise North America’s #1 industrial marketplace with over 2000 exhibitors showcasing products and solutions needed to integrate and support the discrete and process manufacturing industries in the millennium.

Last year 52,228 industry professionals made this event their first stop for education, technology, innovation, new products, and the best networking in business. The event is sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and supported by more than 35 other trade journals, industry associations, and societies, including the Association for Facilities Engineering, ASME International, ASMMA, Hydraulic Institute, MIMOSA, National Safety Council, and Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals.

National Manufacturing Week is produced and managed by Reed Exhibition Companies, one of the world’s largest organizers of trade events. Complete exhibitor listings, conference descriptions, and special event details are available by visiting the National Manufacturing Week web site at www.manufacturingweek.com . The site is continually updated to be as comprehensive as possible and to provide visitors with the opportunity to fully plan their visit and make the most efficient use of their time.

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