Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing.

Archive for July 14th, 2008

IMTS-Update #2

Add comment July 14th, 2008

Although it may seem far away, the IMTS show in Chicago September 8-13th is fast approaching. With 1,279 exhibitors over 1,000,000 square feet of exhibition space, it is being considered the 4th largest IMTS ever!

In case you wonder if the economy is going to affect attendance, visitor registrations is 8% ahead of previous registrations at this date and group registrations are also way up from past registrations. Sounds the the buyers are coming out!

The first event that our region is planning is on Sept. 9th. This will be Student Summit where we will take area high school students to IMTS for the day. I’ll have more later. A second event is being planned for Sept. 10th; more on this later also.

In case you want more details on IMTS, check into:

http://www.imts.com/

Good News, Bad News?

Add comment July 14th, 2008

For exporting manufacturers who are enjoying a competitive international marketplace due to the low dollar, this weekend struck me with some news that shows what a small, global world we live in.

Last Friday, it was announced that Abu Dhabi Investment Council, an arm of the Gulf emirate government acquired a 90% stake in the Chyrsler building in New Your City. Built in 1930 by Walter Chrysler, it was for a brief time the tallest building in NYC. AbuDhabi I.C. acquired this interest from a German real estate investment company.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/nyregion/10chrysler.html

Next, the Belgium beer company In Bev bought the stock of Anheuser-Busch which as we all know makes Budweiser.

Then today, from the Farnborough, England comes word that FlyDubai is buying $3.74 billion of airplanes from Boeing and Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates national carrier is buying $9 - 10 billion of Boeing’s airplanes.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-boeing-orders-farnborough-jul14,0,6011374.story

Sure, maybe some of these transactions may not affect manufacturing, but it sure demonstrates the extent of international business dealings over a short weekend.

Good reason, though, for manufacturers to learn about international business and how it could affect them down the road.