MassMEP and CONNSTEP Host New Internet Radio Program, “Manufacturing: America’s Economic Future”
A new Internet radio program covers ‘hot topic’ manufacturing issues this fall at www.business.voiceamerica.com. Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) President Jack Healy and CONNSTEP President Gerry Ward are hosting the weekly program, Manufacturing: America’s Economic Future. The show runs for 13-weeks, airing live each Wednesday beginning September 28, 2005, at 9:00am ET.
Manufacturing: America’s Economic Future covers manufacturing topics that highlight how this sector’s contributions are vital to the United States’ economy. Ward and Healy talk with business and political leaders who are shaping America’s industrial future; they engage legislators, economic development leaders, and business officials in a lively discussion regarding manufacturing issues and real ways to solve the challenges facing the industry.
“Manufacturing is far from finished in this country; however, a web of policy and strategic decisions are limiting manufacturing’s options for the future. We look behind the headlines to understand why manufacturing really does matter and how it can once again be an international leader,” said Gerry Ward.
Online radio listenership has sky-rocketed in the last few years. According to the Arbitron/Edison Media Research study released in March of 2004, the estimated monthly Internet radio audience is approximately 38 million Americans, and the weekly audience is nearly 19 million Americans. CONNSTEP and the MassMEP are taking the opportunity to reach the segment of this audience that is interested in learning more about our region’s perspective on the state of manufacturing.
Program Schedule
October 26, 2005 Foreign Sourcing: Good for America?
Sam Miller, product and service development team leader at the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, will discuss understanding the nature of innovation, strategic repositioning, and innovation blitzes. Outsourcing and importing are two different things. Many firms outsource to domestic firms, but more and more seem to be going to overseas suppliers. In addition, work that was previously outsourced to domestic suppliers is being shifted to foreign sources. Can U.S. suppliers compete with low-cost countries? Is this a good thing for U.S. industry and future competitiveness? Gerry will talk with two industry executives who are working successfully to address these questions for their own firms.
November 2, 2005 The Perfect (Manufacturing) Storm; New Perspectives on the Asian Tigers
Shawn He, MeetChinaBiz
Many think that China represents both a great opportunity and significant threat to the US economy and national security. Which is right? Is China exploiting the U.S.? How do manufacturers take advantage of the opportunities raised by a growing consumer market?
November 9, 2005 American Manufacturers: Innovate or Evaporate
No manufacturer is safe. For instance, defense business is good today, but what about in a few years? Hoping for ‘good times’ to continue won’t cut it. You have to innovate or evaporate. But what does that really mean?
November 16, 2005 Under Competitive Pressure? Take Two ‘Lean’ Tablets and Call Me in the Morning
Ken McGuire
Lean thinking is revolutionizing American manufacturing. The Toyota Production System has become fully Americanized and accessible to even the smallest manufacturer. What is this ‘Lean’ stuff all about and why is it so darn effective?
November 23, 2005 A View from DC, Part I
Senators from CT and RI
‘Free Markets’ exist only in the dreams of economists. A web of policies, tax laws, environmental regulations, R&D investments, and more shape US industrial policy. We have one; they have one. Can ours be tweaked to be more effective? Part I will explore why a push for fair trade does not mean protectionism.
November 30, 2005 A View from DC, Part II
Senators from Mass, NH, VT, and/or RI
‘Free Markets’ exist only in the dreams of economists. A web of policies, tax laws, environmental regulations, government R&D investments, and more shape US industrial policy. We have one; they have one. Can ours be tweaked to be more effective? Part II will explore the current agenda in DC for US manufacturing.
December 7, 2005 Skills Training – Growth through grants
Stephen Willand, Ph.D., Regional Employment Board Greg King, H1B grant program
Ted Bauer – MOST Grant
Joe Szocik – Youth training grant
December 14, 2005 A View from the State Capitol; Economic Development Strategies that Work; Part II
Global and national economic forces can overwhelm individual firms, regional economies, and entire industry sectors. Still, state governments can and do play a significant role in shaping the business climate for many small and mid-size manufacturers. Large state investments and aggressive economic development programs, including large investments in technology-based economic development, are aimed at building local and regional competitiveness and adding jobs. Join us as we try to uncover what’s working and what isn’t.
December 21, 2005 Putting it all Together: What does the Future Hold for Manufacturing in the US?
Can manufacturing ever be the driver of economic well being that it once was? Is America’s defense industrial base secure enough? Jack and Gerry will discuss these and other ‘big questions’ as they wrap up their series on Manufacturing Matters.
Listen to one of the exciting past shows:
October 19, 2005: Hosted by Jack Healy Guerilla Marketing
in the Industrial Markets with Shari Worthington
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) program helps manufacturers identify and implement advanced manufacturing and management technologies. It is supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US Dept. of Commerce.
Over the past year, MassMEP clients have reported $108 million in increased sales, $18 million in new investments, $17.2 million in cost savings, and over 780 created or retained jobs, all due in part to the services that MassMEP provides.
The MassMEP offers affordable solutions through seasoned project managers who provide proven manufacturing, management and technological solutions that positively affect the bottom line. The MassMEP is committed to meeting the needs of manufacturers and help companies to become high performance enterprises.
Jack Healy, Director of Operations of MassMEP can be reached at (508) 831-7020. More information on MassMEP and its services can be found at http://www.massmep.org.
About CONNSTEP
CONNSTEP’s mission is to help Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced technology and modern management techniques to become more competitive. For over 10 years CONNSTEP’s innovative programs have helped hundreds of manufacturers each year and have assisted in the creation or retention of thousands of jobs.
Its team of more than 20 manufacturing specialists provides business, technical, growth, and process improvement assistance. Core service areas include Lean Manufacturing, Quality Management Systems, Enterprise Growth, People Systems, environmental, and business assistance. CONNSTEP provides some on-site engineering assistance or, more frequently, helps companies access the technical or scientific help they need.
CONNSTEP is a trusted partner to many manufacturers. In the last fiscal year CONNSTEP’s services generated $33 million in new company investments, $18 million in cost reductions, $177 million in sales impact, and created or retained 1,524 jobs.
CONNSTEP is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce through the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
For more information about the Manufacturing: America’s Economic Future internet radio program, contact CONNSTEP at 800-266-6672.
