Date Posted: 6/12/2008
Regional Manufacturing Shows Much Easier for CFO’s to Cost-Justify
By Thomas R. Cutler
Manufacturing CFO’s are constantly being asked to trim the budget, apply lean principles to spending. Tradeshows and conferences often seem like a logical first place to eliminate waste. Ironically when these events are most effective, there is a direct-bottom line impact ranging to time-to-market improvements to negotiated supplier discounts. With rapidly increasing airfares, hotel stays, car rentals, the big manufacturing tradeshows, like Manufacturing Week among others, may not have the cost-justification to cover the travel, let alone cost of entry fees. The same is not true for local manufacturing expos.
According to Kati Olson, who produces nearly two dozen Amcon Contract Manufacturing Expos annually, “Local manufacturing events are probably the most cost-effective way to find new suppliers and to compare current suppliers’ pricing. Since the shows are regional, travel expenses are minimal, as is time out of the office. The face-to-face interaction, the hands-on atmosphere, and the technical qualifications of the booth staff make these events a far better alternative to seeking sources for custom parts on the internet.”
Regional manufacturing events allow attendees to find multiple sources to take a project from prototype to finished product very quickly. Whether seeking a single part or extensive production runs, these regional conferences provide multiple supplier choices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof.
Olson suggested that, “In just a few hours both purchasing managers and manufacturing engineers can get quotes on current projects, compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors. These data can be reported to the CFO who will quickly assess this time as well spent.” It helps that the AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues. Engineers and buyers can attend the seminars and then visit the exhibits to see how the various processes are being applied.
Geographically most attendees of regional manufacturing expos come within a 200-300 mile radius, and attendees should not come looking for machinery or equipment.
Do not go to a regional manufacturing expo looking for machinery or equipment; the show is strictly about custom parts and manufacturing services. It is a very focused and a serious working show. Randy Hernandez, a Mechanical Engineer with Semiconductor Diagnostics, Inc., applauded his AmCon regional manufacturing expo experience commented that, “We had good results. We found some new vendors and also learned about some new technology that will help us out. It’s a relaxed environment, very courteous and very professional.” Similarly, Richard Carr, Mechanical Designer for Telecommunications Systems, Inc. reported that he attended an expo, “To see what’s new and exciting. I stopped in to see the seminar on molded plastic design. It was very educational. I got a lot out of it.”
Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, it is possible for the attendees to have comprehensive discussions regarding their projects including critical design, materials, and production issues. The value of attending these regional events should not require much CFO arm-twisting or convincing.
Upcoming Fall 2008 Regional Manufacturing Expos will be held:
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 17-18
Fort Lauderdale, FL - Sept. 23-24
Minneapolis, MN - Oct. 7-8
Phoenix, AZ - Oct. 14-15
Houston, TX - Oct. 29-30
Greensboro, NC - Nov. 18-19
Author Contact:
Thomas R. Cutler
TR Cutler, Inc
Email: trcutler@trcutlerinc.com
Website: www.trcutlerinc.com
About Author
Thomas R. Cutler is the President & CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based TR Cutler, Inc, (www.trcutlerinc.com). Cutler is the founder of the Manufacturing Media Consortium of three thousand journalists and editors writing about trends in manufacturing. Cutler is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist, Online News Association, and American Society of Business Publication Editors, as well as author of more than 300 feature articles annually regarding the manufacturing sector. Cutler can be contacted at trcutler@trcutlerinc.com.
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