Plant Engineering to mark 60 years, look at the future at NMW gala

National Manufacturing Week is always a special time for PLANT ENGINEERING magazine. After all, the event and the magazine grew up together throughout the 1950s. On the occasion of the magazine’s 60th anniversary, PLANT ENGINEERING has several major events planned for this year’s NMW, to be held Sept.

By Plant Engineering Staff September 15, 2007

National Manufacturing Week is always a special time for PLANT ENGINEERING magazine. After all, the event and the magazine grew up together throughout the 1950s.

On the occasion of the magazine’s 60th anniversary, PLANT ENGINEERING has several major events planned for this year’s NMW, to be held Sept. 25-27 in Rosemont, IL.

PLANT ENGINEERING editor Bob Vavra will present the results of the magazine’s exclusive study, “The Changing Role of the Plant Engineer,” at a press conference and presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. Immediately following the presentation, there will be a cocktail party to mark the 60th anniversary. Representatives from IBM, ARC Advisory Group and Motorola also will be on hand to discuss the study’s results and its implications in a changing global manufacturing environment in a live Roundtable presentation.

“The study yielded some interesting results that solidify our belief that the plant engineer, by whatever title, has a critical role to play each day in protecting and enhancing not just the physical processes of manufacturing, but also the business success of the entire enterprise,” said Vavra. “The results demonstrate how the plant engineer is pivotal to manufacturing’s growth and sustainability, and how that role has changed and grown in the three years since we last conducted the study.”

PLANT ENGINEERING will have a visible presence at the show as well. At Booth 2650, NMW attendees can pick up invitations to the Wednesday press conference and gala, discuss the study and other important issues with the magazine’s staff. Managing editor Jack Smith will moderate a panel discussion, “OEE: Put Overall Equipment Effectiveness to work for you” on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. Joining Smith on the panel will be James Feltman, Lean trainer for Vorne Industries; David Brochu, executive vice president of Accumence LLC; and Dennis Cocco, founder and chief product strategist for Activplant Corp.

National Manufacturing Week is also incorporating some major changes, including the addition of the Assembly Technology Expo, the Electronics Assembly Expo and the Quality Expo to NMW’s traditional areas of emphasis:

Plant Engineering and Facilities Management, featuring better methods and techniques to run the factory floor more productively, at higher utilization, and at lower cost

Industrial Automation, highlighting new factory automation integration, control methods and product applications

Manufacturing Enterprise Management, with a focus on issues and success factors to drive sustainable business growth in a global economy

Design Engineering, featuring the latest tools, techniques and methodologies for product and process design to reduce design cycle times, improve quality and exceed customer expectations

Enterprise IT, including e-business, enterprise and supply-chain management advancements.

Several hundred exhibitors will be on hand, and an extensive conference program runs the duration of the show. Special features in the expo hall include a CAD/CAM and enterprise technology software section, a plant engineering and maintenance pavilion and concentrations in contract manufacturing and outsourcing services and industrial automation. Attendees will have access to all shows with their NMW badge. For more information on National Manufacturing week, go to www.manufacturingweek.com .