"Over 3 million American manufacturing jobs were lost in the last four years," commented Peggy Smedley, founder and editorial director of Start Magazine, a leading manufacturing industry publication. "At the first Manufacturing and Economic Recovery Conference last spring, the US Secretary of Commerce was confronted by frustrated and angry manufacturers who demanded change. At this conference, executives will discuss how to develop a roadmap to survival in this tough economic climate and address how to overcome competitive hurdles in an effort to become more viable and profitable. In addition, there will be presentations showing which candidate, Bush or Kerry, will do more to help the plight of American manufacturers."
Executives speaking at the conference include: Panasonic Management Information Technology Services Co. President, Bob Schwartz, Warren Featherbone Company President, Gus Whalen, American Productivity Design president, Dwight Carey. In addition to these qualified speakers some of the many associations that support this event and plan to attend include: PeopleSoft, Syspro, We Employ America, Flexware Innovation, Inc., Robotics Industries Association, Porcelain Enamel Institute, United States Business & Industry Council, and the Tool, Die, and Machining Association of Wisconsin.
Bob Schwartz said, "Although government is important because international trade issues are involved, the manufacturers gathering at the Manufacturing and Economic Recovery Conference believe the real answer to the job drain does not lie solely in Washington. As a result, one of the important focuses of the conference will be the leading manufacturers themselves discussing what they can do to overcome this problem and leverage outsourcing to their advantage."
Additionally, the book, "Mending Manufacturing: How America Can Manufacture Its Survival" will be available for the first time.
On Wednesday, September 15 manufacturers, politicians, and press will have an opportunity to tour local plants to see first-hand what US manufacturers are still producing in America.
