In This Issue

• From the Board Chair: Future Perfect in West Michigan
• Attraction: Wind Energy in Michigan
• Expansion: Global Forex Trading
• Manufacturing: Diversification is Key
• Innovation: A Year of Success

Manufacturing: Diversification is Key

Right Place Hosts Diversification Event, Workshops

When other regions of the country were still reacting to the dramatic changes in the U.S. automotive industry, The Right Place was already reaching out to area suppliers.

On February 18th, over 250 area manufacturing professionals converged on the GVSU Eberhard Center to attend the largest automotive market diversification event in West Michigan. The full-day event was co-developed and hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and The Right Place, Inc./MMTC-West group and focused on four growing markets for manufacturing: aerospace, government contracting, medical devices, and alternative energy.

The event introduced West Michigan manufacturers to new growth markets for manufacturing and the MMTC-West services that can help them penetrate those markets. Each attendee received a detailed questionnaire, from the MEDC, that analyzed their diversification potential. Qualifying companies are eligible to receive a $10,000 matching grant from the MEDC, part of a $4 million state fund set aside for job training.

The event was followed by a series of in-depth workshops that provided a second step toward new markets and customers. The workshops covered more about the specifics of an individual market; where the customers are, how to find and connect with them, and where to start.

The Right Place and MMTC-West are dedicated to providing West Michigan’s manufacturers with the resources and tools they need to compete and succeed in today changing global economy. This conference/workshop series is one example of that commitment.

New Market Diversification Program for Manufacturers

MMTC-West’s new market diversification program is poised to dramatically change the way West Michigan’s manufacturers “do” business development. The new 90-day accelerated program focuses on a company’s existing core competencies and uses those strengths to break into new markets. Each phase builds on the previous, creating a fast and efficient path to new customers and markets.

The program is divided into four phases:

• Assessment: The foundation of the market diversification program, this phase assesses the current business and sets a benchmark against competitors.
• Sales Enhancement: This phase works with the company to build a disciplined lead generation and sales process that yields proven results.
• Website and Communication: A primary business tool in the new Information Age, this phase takes the mystery out of building an effective web presence as a sales and marketing tool.
• Custom Growth Actions: This phase addresses company-specific challenges and opportunities to build a customized sales and marketing plan to execute against.

For more information on the new market diversification program, call 616.771.0561 or send an email to Amy Winkler, winklera@rightplace.org.

MMTC-West User Groups

Simply put, MMTC-West user groups offer the best dollar-for-dollar training investment West Michigan manufacturers can make. Members learn the most information in the least amount of time, working in a collaborative, peer-to-peer team environment. Each User Group is guided by a professional facilitator with hands-on experience and knowledge in the content area of the group. Members meet every two to four weeks for two to four hours ensuring continual motivation and progress. Discussions are usually focused around a specific topic and practical applications of new manufacturing approaches.

Some of the benefits of joining an MMTC-West user include:

• An affordable training solution
• Realistic time commitments
• Peer-to-peer collaborative learning
• Measurable results
• A great way to network with area businesses
  

Signing up for a user group is easy, call 616.771.0561 or send an email to Amy Winkler, winklera@rightplace.org.

Reverse Job Shadow Event

On March 9th, The Right Place/Manufacturers Council and 25 area manufacturers invaded Northview High School in Plainfield Township with the goal of reintroducing 10th grade students to the future of manufacturing.

In partnership with Junior Achievement, volunteers like Kelly Haley, of Amway, participated in a reverse job shadow program demonstrating to students that manufacturing is an expansive industry requiring a wide range of talent, from engineers to scientists and designers.

Manufacturers took over student classrooms for the day teaching subjects ranging from chemistry and algebra to woodworking and fashion design.

How does this help West Michigan’s economy? Continued growth in West Michigan relies on access to talented, trained professionals in a wide range of field. Building, informing and encouraging our region’s youth is a key component to increasing this talent pool. Manufacturing has been, and will continue to be a strategic element of West Michigan’s economy. Thus, to keep the future of the industry relevant and competitive in the region, we much ensure that our future talent is aware and engaged.

6th Annual Supply Chain Management Conference

Supply chain management professionals gathered at Steelcase University on March 18th for one of the region’s premier annual conferences in supply chain management.

Attracting more than 90 industry professionals across West Michigan, the 6th Annual Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference trained on best practices to transform supply chains into competitive advantages. The event featured keynote presentations from industry leaders in supply chain management Wolverine World Wide, Inc., Amway Corporation, and Stryker Corporation, and break-out sessions in Supply Chain Excellence, Growth and Innovation, Talent Development and People management.

The Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference was co-sponsored by APICS Grand Rapids, The Right Place/MMTC-West, the Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, the Institute for Supply Management, and Western Michigan University.