March 12, 2009

Annual Purdue summit spotlights sustainability manufacturing

The daylong summit, titled The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Sustainable Manufacturing, will feature policy leaders from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency and industry executives, as well as discussions and presentations by university and state government leaders.

More than 200 attendees from across the Midwest are expected to attend the annual summit, hosted by Discovery Park's Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

John Sullivan
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"Sustainable manufacturing is more than a trend, it's a reality in a global marketplace facing some of its toughest obstacles in years," said John Sullivan, director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. "This summit features some of the brightest minds in this arena to examine sustainability through the lens of creating economic opportunity for manufacturers, providing security for the U.S. work force and reducing and eliminating negative environmental impacts."

The event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Purdue's Stewart Center and is free and open to the public, includes discussions about the current economic climate for sustainable policies and the role of state and federal governments, in partnership with industry, to advance and implement these measures.

A morning discussion on sustainable production and policy issues will feature panelists Eric Mittelstadt, chief executive officer of sustainable manufacturing for the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing; Alex Folk, center operations manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and Kris Pierre, manager of the EPA's Green Suppliers Network.

E. Mitchell "Mitch" Roob Jr., Indiana's secretary of commerce and chief executive of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., also is scheduled to speak.

The luncheon offers a debate on sustainable manufacturing between members of Purdue's Petticrew Student Debate Team. An afternoon session will focus on the benefits of computer modeling and simulation in reducing energy use at small and large manufacturing facilities.

Sustainable manufacturing is defined as the creation of manufactured products using processes that are non-polluting and conserve energy as well as natural resources that are economically sound and safe for employees, communities and consumers.

Sullivan said Indiana manufacturers are making advances and becoming more competitive despite the toughest economic conditions in a generation. Despite current economic pressures, manufacturing accounts for $70 billion, or 30 percent, of Indiana's annual gross domestic product.

In addition to Purdue's Center for Advanced Manufacturing, summit sponsors include the Access Technology Across Indiana Network (ATAIN), Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Rolls-Royce Corp. Conexus Indiana, the Indiana Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Purdue's Technical Assistance Program also have provided support for the summit.

Purdue's summit coincides with Indiana Manufacturing Week (March 23-29), which includes events to recognize manufacturing's past, present and future importance to the state economy.

Manufacturing Week will begin with a conference hosted by Conexus Indiana from 7:30-11 a.m. Monday, March 24, at the Westin Downtown Indianapolis. Keynote speaker is Charles Gassenheimer, chairman of EnerDel's parent company Ener1, a manufacturer of advanced lithium ion batteries in the midst of an expansion at its northeast Indianapolis production facility.

The event includes a panel discussion on Indiana's "Cleantech Opportunity" with Michael Brylawski, vice president of corporate strategy at Bright Automotive; Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue's vice provost for engagement; Joe Loughrey, vice chairman of Cummins Corp.; Paul Mitchell, president of the Indiana Energy Systems Network; and Kay Pashos of law firm Baker & Daniels.

In addition, Conexus will release its second annual Indiana Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card, designed to assess the strengths and challenges facing those sectors and benchmarking Indiana against its Midwest neighbors and the nation.

A research-driven center in Discovery Park, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing serves as the central point of contact at Purdue on a wide range of manufacturing issues, linking existing and emerging businesses with researchers on campus. The center's mission is to bridge basic academic research with specific industrial needs to enhance both the understanding and application of manufacturing issues in Indiana.

Writer: Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, 765-427-3009 (cell), pfiorini@purdue.edu

Sources: John Sullivan, 765-494-1279, john.p.sullivan.1@purdue.edu

Steve Shade, 765-494-1279, sashade@purdue.edu

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

Note to Journalists: Journalists interested in interviewing speakers in advance of Purdue's annual Advanced Manufacturing Summit or want a detailed agenda of the speakers, programs and activities, can contact Phillip Fiorini at 765-496-3133, 765-427-3009 (cell), pfiorini@purdue.edu

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