UI Helps Launch Statewide Manufacturing Conference Sept. 8-9 in Boise
Friday, July 11 2003
July 11, 2003^ Moscow/Boise/Coeur d’Alene – Registration has begun for a statewide manufacturing conference, “Getting Ahead,” Sept. 8-9 in Boise, that will help manufacturers learn how to restructure through advanced management theory and leading-edge technology. ^The conference is presented by TechHelp, a non-profit partnership of the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University that is affiliated with the national network of Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers. ^The statewide conference to be held at Boise State University is designed to network Idaho’s 2,200 manufacturers with experts and government leaders to find ways to get ahead in the global market.^Keynote speaker is John R. Brandt, CEO of Manufacturing Performance Institute, editor-at-large for Chief Executive Magazine and columnist and former editor-in-chief for IndustryWeek. Brandt will speak on “Strategic Repositioning and Innovation: Meeting the Challenge of Global Competition.” ^Other sessions address meeting China’s challenge, food security, business mistakes to avoid, wastewater management and more. Different tracks are planned for Top Dogs Only, designed for company CEOs, presidents and owners; Lean & Mean, focusing on driving waste out of the manufacturing operation; Made in Idaho, focusing on new technology and processes in product development; and Food Court, a forum for food processors. ^Speakers include Lyman Frost, director of technology transfer and commercialization for Bechtel BWXT at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory; Patricia Panchak, IndustryWeek; Orest Fiume, The Wiremold Co.; Mike Burness, Pepsi-Cola Co.; Michael P. Collins, independent management consultant and publisher of “The Manufacturer’s Guide to Business Marketing;” Erwin Schwiebert, vice president of The Schwiebert Group; Claudia Gaeddert, president of the Corporation for Land Planning and Engineering; and Maurice Charlat, former vice-chairman and CEO for the Billings Horn Group of Companies of Southern California, one of the largest food brokers in North America. ^For details on the conference fee or registration, go to www.techhelp.org ; those interested from Northern Idaho may phone the Idaho TechHelp Center, (208) 777-7952, located in UI’s Research Park in Post Falls.^TechHelp was established in 1996 to assist small- to medium-sized manufacturers in Idaho. Other conference sponsors are INEEL, J.R. Simplot Co., BNFL Inc., Woodland Furniture and UI’s College of Engineering in Boise. Other supporting agencies include the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho Small Business Development Center and the Center for Management Development at Boise State, ISU and UI.^Contacts: Idaho TechHelp Center in Post Falls, (208) 777-7952, Toivo Mykkanen, manufacturing specialist, UI Research Park, mykkanen@uidaho.edu or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu^-30-^NH-7/11/03-ENGR/TechHelp^
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The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.