US Center For Advanced Manufacturing C-Suite Strategy Series Recap: Accelerating Progress in Our Value Chains
By Dennis Burck, Automation Alley
David Burton, Founder-President at DMSCA Manufacturing Supplier Development Foundation (Photo by USC4AM)
Summary
The US Center For Advanced Manufacturing held a C-Suite Strategy Series event in Milwaukee, WI on Supply Chain Transformation. The gathering saw public and private professionals engage in dialogue around accelerating value chains.
From May 15 to May 16, the US Center For Advanced Manufacturing hosted a C-Suite Strategy Series on Supply Chain Transformation at the GE Healthcare Institute and Marquette University College of Business Administration in Milwaukee, WI. The event saw thought-provoking conversations and dialogue around how manufacturing ecosystems can be accelerated with new technology and collaboration.
Amy Pechackeck, Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, opened the event by highlighting the state’s success in job growth and placement with private sector and economic partnerships coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key to maintaining this success, Pechaceck said, will be preparing for disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, assisting those who experience barriers of entry like childcare and access to reskilling programs, and growing public-private partnerships to innovate and improve workforce solutions.
Koreen Grube, Wisconsin’s Director of US Commercial Service for the US Department of Commerce, also spoke during the welcome reception. Grube emphasized the need to accelerate progress in our manufacturing ecosystems by “coordinating within and across supply chains to increase the effectiveness of government programs.”
After the welcome, attendees participated in a panel on Collaboration of Partners in the Value Chain.
Key takeaways included:
Long lead times, customer dissatisfaction and concerns ranging from CFOs to shareholders are prompting the exploration of innovative partnerships that optimize proximity within the value chain
Transparency, delegation, and trusted networks enable a shared responsibility across the value chain
Measuring lead time reduction, pre-paid suppliers, inventory deposits, and shorter payment terms boosted financial performance and enhanced resilience and customer satisfaction during the pandemic
Successful regional diversification of the supply chain requires strong leadership, synchronization, and a commitment to meeting revenue obligations
A fireside chat on The Role of Collaboration in Supply Chain Innovation followed, featuring Jimmie Beacham, GE Healthcare Executive Chief Engineer of Advanced Manufacturing, and Scott Woida, President of Midwest Engineering. The discussion was moderated by US Center Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Wright.
Key takeaways included:
Collaboration at the early stages of design often improves customer-vendor relationships by aligning objectives and enhancing communication for smoother processes and tailored outcomes
Collaborative momentum is enhanced by prioritizing innovation, fostering an environment of creative solutions and leveraging diverse expertise
Successful collaboration depends on a future workforce with a blend of education, curiosity, and customer interaction skills
The Voice of The Leaders
"The dimensions of design are speed, quality and cost. Typically, the design process can only optimize two of these and customers who collaborate, get the tradeoffs they want”
-Scott Woida, President, Midwest Engineering Solutions
“It’s about figuring out the right policies to make a big change.”
-Jen Upthegrove, Executive Supply Chain, Rockwell Automation
“One common thread is transparency. We can be more agile and create better relationships with what covid pushed us to do.”
-Tommy Lenahan , Central Regional Director, Crown Castle
“If there is true collaboration between parties, there is inherent trust built.”
-Dennis Menefee, CEO, Partstat
“We need to stay up to speed. We must work with local universities to find out what needs to be the new curriculum.”
- Raman Dhiman, Vice President, Infinite Computer Solutions Inc
“It is the time to remove the handcuffs we put on acquisitions of small manufacturers.”
- Jennifer Meister, Vice President, Marketing, Everstream Analytics
More events and projects are in the US Center pipeline. Center stakeholders will continue to increase dialogue and work toward clean energy, supply chain resiliency, and cybersecurity.
Upcoming events include:
Go & See at Schneider Electric, June 20th & 21st, Lexington, KY
Disruptive Innovation Playbook Working Group, June 15th, West Lafayette, IN
Final 2023 C-Suite Strategy Series, November 13th &14th , hosted in collaboration with Flex
To participate in upcoming events or engage with the Center, contact info@usc4am.org.