April 25, 2005

MiBiz West

Presentations from CAR’s David E. Cole and MMA’s Chuck Hadden highlight the week’s events.

MUSKEGON — The Muskegon Area Manufacturers Council is spreading the word about manufacturing during Muskegon’s Manufacturing Week celebration May 9-13.

Backed by Muskegon Area First and the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, the weeklong event will touch on a variety of manufacturing topics, from government purchasing programs to environmental management practices.

The week kicks off strong Monday, May 9 with a luncheon presentation from David E. Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. This is a rare West Michigan visit for Cole, who is a nationally recognized in automotive industry circles.
Muskegon Area First President and CEO James Edmonson said Cole will discuss new technologies and innovation and national policies affecting the auto industry.

A special reception will be held Monday evening for Michigan Manufacturing Association Vice President Chuck Hadden, who will give an update on the 2005 Michigan Manufacturers legislative agenda.
"The primary idea behind the reception is to give our Manufacturers Council a chance to meet with the Muskegon Area First board in a relaxed social setting," Edmonson said.

On May 10 the Procurement Technical Assistance Center will hold a half-day workshop on what it takes to be a supplier to the federal government’s main purchasing agency, the General Service Administration.
"The world’s biggest buyer is the federal government. They buy everything from potato chips to nuclear submarines. This is an opportunity for not just manufacturers, but all businesses — service industry, seller or reseller of goods or manufacturers," said Edmonson.

The next day, May 11, the manufacturers council’s global users group has scheduled a luncheon featuring Gary Giallonardo, president and founder of Industrial Visions Co. of Troy. The luncheon topic is "Strategic Market Planning: Using Your Supply Chain to Diversify Sales for Top Sales Growth."

Thursday, May 10, area manufacturers will hold open houses and the chamber’s Lakeshore Business Expo will be held at the Trillium Banquet and Conference Center in Spring Lake.

The environmental performance users group wraps up the week with a morning presentation on environmental management practices at ADAC Plastics.

Edmonson stressed that discounted prices to all Manufacturing Week events are available to chamber of commerce members from any chamber of commerce in the state.

Manufacturing contributes considerably to the Muskegon County economy. Over 300 manufacturers employ nearly 14,00 people in Muskegon County.
Manufacturing enterprises pay over $3 million in taxes to support local schools and contribute nearly $500,000 in corporate community giving. Muskegon County manufactures generate nearly $3 billion in sales.

For complete Manufacturing Week details and registration information, contact the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce at 231-722-3751 or online at www.muskegon.org.

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