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MiMfg Magazine
May 2019
2019 MFG Forum Recap: Lessons
to Be Learned for an Uncertain Era
Manufacturers face new challenges every day.
These challenges can include talent scarcity, questions
about new technology and how to implement it, and
a growing uncertainty of what manufacturing’s
future will look like. The MFG Forum held last
month continued its tradition of discussing emerging
manufacturing trends like these and helping
executives take on current and future problems.
“We’re here to make sure you all stay strong and
competitive,” said Chuck Hadden, MMA president &
CEO, as he welcomed attendees to the annual Forum
in Novi on 4/23/19. “Today’s speakers are leaders in
manufacturing and great partners to your businesses.”
Continuing, Hadden said that “together, we’ll
learn new strategies to embrace technology, discover
how mid-sized manufacturers are addressing future
downturns, hear about an exciting, employer-driven
talent program in West Michigan, and explore how
new data can prepare you for long-term success.”
Forum emcee Delaney McKinley and
Brose North America’s Joe LaRussa
Challenges and Potential Solutions
Conversations surrounding Industry 4.0 and
digitalization focus heavily on the technology and tools
entering the industry but often gloss over the everyday
challenges that no longer have simple solutions.
“Answering the question ‘how do I get 50 more
pieces per hour out of this line’ is no longer just a
matter of redistributing the work among the
operators or putting an extra station in,” said Joe
LaRussa, Brose North America’s director of
industrial engineering. “It can require weeks of new
software development because the machines are
programmed to work a certain way.”
How can a manufacturer stay ahead of the
customers who demand quick changes in an
economy full of uncertainty?
“Define your key performance indicators (KPI)
and be aggressive in your decision-making,” suggested
LaRussa. “What do you want to get out of it? Cost
reduction, higher productivity and transfer of
knowledge — those are the KPIs that I focus on.”
Reinventing Life As We Know It
Eckhart Inc. grew from a small group of local
leaders to become one of the world’s leading
innovators thanks to their focus on a few key
areas — processes and values — to fully embrace
a new era of manufacturing possibility.
Offering his insight into long-term strategy
development, Eckhart President & CEO Andy
Storm told attendees to consider “What is the
biggest competitive threat you face? What do you
want to be in five years? Think critically about the
Tom Stewart from National
Center for the Middle Market
MFG Panel led by Wolfson Bolton’s Adam Kochenderfer (far left) and
featuring Varroc Lighting Systems, NYX Inc. and Gibbs Die Casting