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To manufacturers, the “flat” world is synonymous with globalization. Although globalization is sometimes heralded as a good thing for the consumer, many North American manufacturers are not so sure. One thing is certain: with free trade, rationalizing businesses and re-evaluating economies of scale is key.
Companies have had mixed experiences venturing into foreign lands:
• How to re-balance cost, quality and delivery in a global environment?
• What about business risks and supply chain uncertainties? Are organizations prepared to manage an off-shore supply chain?
• What core competencies should stay in-house and which should be off-shored?
• Will the total system cost eventually reveal many hidden costs? Does off-shoring really save money?
These are some of the questions that will be raised by manufacturing leaders with solid track records in global manufacturing businesses. Speakers representing the tooling, machining, part fabrication and assembly businesses will discuss their experiences on, “what should stay and what should go,” and how to approach planning for a global manufacturing strategy.
Chair:
Jay S. Baron, Ph.D., President & CEO, Center for Automotive Research, and Director, Manufacturing Engineering and Technology
Speakers:
Tim Leuliette, President and CEO, Dura Corporation
Laurie Harbour-Felax, President, Harbour-Felax Group Presentation
Thomas Saeli, Chief Executive Officer, Noble International, Ltd. Presentation
Kimberly Rodriguez, Principal, Co-Leader, Automotive Services Group, Grant Thornton Presentation
Milton Roye, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, TATA Autocomp Systems Limited
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