WMEP: Wisconsin’s May 19 Manufacturing Matters!Conference targets competitive strategies to help manufacturers survive, grow and prosper
5/3/2004

Contact:
Linda Abbott
Phone: 608-826-6215; email: abbott@chorus.net

Conference brochure link: www.wmep.org

MADISON, Wis. – The latest tactics and strategies to help Wisconsin manufacturers “reinvent” their businesses to gain competitive advantage are the focus of this year’s Manufacturing Matters! Conference. The conference, expected to draw 500+ manufacturing executives, will be held Wednesday, May 19 at Milwaukee’s Midwest Airlines Center.

Lean manufacturing, strategic repositioning and business innovation are among the major topics that will be explored at the conference. To register, call 877-800-2114 or visit www.wmep.org. Cost is $279 for manufacturers and $349 for others.

Improving productivity and reducing costs are always a central focus of the conference, said Michael Klonsinski, executive director of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), which organizes the annual event. “What’s new this year is the emphasis on business transformation, or helping manufacturers “reinvent” their companies to meet the challenge of intense global competition,” Klonsinski said.

This process, called “strategic repositioning,” encourages manufacturers to target emerging and high growth markets; bundle services or add hard-to-duplicate features to products; and incorporate rapid innovation as part of their business model. Strategic repositioning relies heavily on market intelligence and a manufacturer’s ability to create solutions to meet fast-changing customer needs.

Conference highlights include:
30 workshops, including lean manufacturing; lean office; building an innovation culture; environmental and energy management; exports; new product development; business finance; IT solutions; quality; logistics and health care cost reduction.

Keynote speaker John DiFrances, managing partner of Wales, Wis.-based DiFrances & Associates, LLC, will provide real world examples of how breakthrough innovation and effective leadership can help manufacturers respond to today’s challenges.

Luncheon speaker Dan Ariens, CEO of Brillion-based Ariens Company, will share the company’s experiences six years into its enterprise-wide lean transformation, and provide keys for success.

Michael P. Collins, author of “The Manufacturer’s Guide to Business Marketing” will present a pre-conference workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 18. (there is an additional fee for this workshop.)

Conference sponsors are: Ariens Company; CNH Global N.V.; Harley Davidson Motor Company, Inc.: Deere & Co., Kohler Company; Oshkosh Truck Corp; Trane; Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC); Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Focus on Energy; and MRA –The Management Association.

Other sponsors are C & H Distributors LLC; Virchow Krause Consulting; Wisconsin Business Bank; Bentley World Packaging; BT2 Inc. Environmental Engineering and Science; Clifton Gunderson Technology Solutions; D & S Manufacturing; Fastenal Company; GENCO; Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates; Guardian Business Solutions, Inc.; IceCentric LLC; IKON; Madison Valuation Associates, Inc.; Mercury Marine; Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center; Orion Energy Systems; Strattec Security Corp.; Total Energy Services, Inc.; Vrakas/Blum; WhiteLight Group; Wick Building Systems, Inc.; Widen Enterprises, Inc.; Wisconsin Innovation Service Center; WorkWise, Inc.; XPEDX and Advertising by Design.

WMEP is a non-profit consulting organization that provides technical expertise and business assistance to help small and mid-size manufacturers become more competitive. WMEP is a leader in lean manufacturing, ISO and supplier development. For more information visit www.wmep.org.