U.S. manufacturing 'czar' to headline Purdue summit

John Sullivan

Advancing Manufacturing V: The Future of Midwest Manufacturing takes place May 23 on campus and will examine current and future issues confronting Indiana manufacturers from regional and national perspectives. The conference is expected to attract 400 manufacturers, policymakers and academics from across the Midwest.

A complete summit schedule and free online registration is available.

Moderating the summit is Gerry Dick, host of "Inside Indiana Business" who also is president of Grow Indiana Ventures Inc.

John Sullivan, director of Purdue's Center for Advanced Manufacturing, said: "While Indiana has made strides in developing new industries in the last few years, we are still a manufacturing state.

"There is a future for manufacturing in Indiana in our core automotive, wood processing, pharmaceutical and aerospace industries, but we have to work smart — in education, technology and innovation — and work together to compete in the global economy. That's what advanced manufacturing is all about."

Sullivan will welcome attendees at 9 a.m., and Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will discuss the goals of the summit at 9:15 a.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Frink, U.S. Department of Commerce assistant secretary for manufacturing and services, International Trade Administration, will give the keynote speech at 9:30 a.m.

Frink will be followed by a panel discussion, "Why Manufacturing Matters." Panelists include John Byrd, Association of Manufacturing Technology president; Eric Mittelstadt, National Council for Advanced Manufacturing CEO; Phyllis Eisen, National Association of Manufacturers vice president; and Leo Reddy, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, Next Generation Manufacturing Initiative CEO.

There is a luncheon program that includes a talk by William A. Strauss, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago senior economist.

In the afternoon, attendees can choose to attend interactive sessions at 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. on issues Indiana manufacturers must deal with to remain globally competitive. Topics include:

• Education: "The Cornerstone of Advanced Manufacturing."

• Public perception: "Manufacturing Image and Awareness."

• Legislation: "Foundations for Manufacturing Success."

• Health care: "Health Care's Role in Manufacturing."

• Globalization: "Thriving in the Global Economy."

• Innovation: "Looking at Tomorrow's Ideas Today."

A poster session on manufacturing-related research by Purdue faculty and others will be available all day, starting at 8 a.m. The summit wraps up at 5 p.m.

Sullivan said, "The goal is to have a high-level discussion on manufacturing and to enable Indiana manufacturers to leave with new ideas, contacts and resources. Indiana is still a manufacturing state, but there also are reasons to think regionally about manufacturing.

"For example, there's a tremendous amount of supply-chain activity that extends beyond the borders of Indiana. Think of the wood products industry in southern Indiana that has sources and does business in Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. In the northern part of the state, auto parts makers source and send materials and finished parts to Michigan, Ohio and Illinois."

In addition to Purdue, summit sponsors include the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Indiana Manufacturers Association and Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. Associate sponsors include TechPoint, Indiana Health Industry Forum, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and Purdue's Technical Assistance Program.

Purdue's Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Discovery Park supports research to develop and improve manufacturing processes, productivity and materials in conjunction with Indiana manufacturers. The center for the last two years has sponsored regional manufacturing summits to address local issues and challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Discovery Park is Purdue's hub for interdisciplinary research and enterprise. The Center for Advanced Manufacturing is one of 10 centers within Discovery Park.

Writer: Mike Lillich, (765) 494-2077,

Sources: John Sullivan, (765) 494-1279, sulivan@purdue.edu

Steve Shade, Center for Advanced Manufacturing managing director, (765) 494-5183, sashade@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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