Advanced Manufacturing Forum

Objective

The objective of the Advanced Manufacturing Forum is to provide managers with a setting in which to share experiences and ideas about implementing advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) and advanced manufacturing practices (AMP), and thus to learn from each other. AMT includes computerization of all value-added activities that are related to the design, manufacture, and distribution of the firm's products to its customers. AMP includes innovative managerial practices such as total quality management, just-in-time manufacturing, design for manufacturability, and employee problem-solving programs such as Kaizen Blitzes.

History

The Advanced Manufacturing Forum has held more than fifty meetings since its inception in 1983 and remains unique in providing a setting for intensive discussion and idea exchange among managers who are introducing technological and organizational innovations. The membership of the Advanced Manufacturing Forum consists of managers from more than 100 companies who meet at Penn State in March and October.

Process

The CMTOC staff helps managers to clarify problems and issues, to facilitate the sharing of information and experiences and to encourage mutual learning. Four presentations are made at each Forum meeting using a seminar-style format to maximize opportunities for participants to share ideas and information. These presentations are interspersed with small group breakout sessions that permit participants to explore in greater depth any issues or topics that are stimulated by the presentations.

Content

The fall and spring meetings of the Forum can be grouped respectively into two major areas. The theme of the fall meeting is competitive strategy and performance measurement. Recent presentations by managers from DaimlerChrysler, Sentry Technology, Moore, and Dana have focused on planning and implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and employee problem-solving programs. The theme of the spring meeting is managing the development of new products and manufacturing processes. Recent presentations by managers from Eastman-Kodak, Lockheed-Martin, IBM, and Ingersoll-Rand have focused on innovative management practices and engineering tools for accelerated product development. Presentations by these managers and by others who presented at previous forums are summarized in The Most Recent Forum Meetings.