Automation Alley Business Roundtable Features Albert Frink, Newly Appointed Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing and Services

TROY, Mich., Oct. 4, 2004 -- Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan's technology cluster, hosted a business roundtable this morning featuring Albert Frink, newly appointed assistant secretary of manufacturing and services for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The roundtable introduced Frink to a variety of manufacturing leaders in Southeast Michigan and provided an opportunity to explore potential solutions to challenges facing the industry. U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg (R- Bloomfield Township) was also on-hand to welcome Frink and offer a local government perspective. Following the roundtable discussion, Frink toured the FANUC Robotics America, Inc. facility in Rochester Hills to gain additional insight into key issues faced by Michigan's manufacturers. FANUC Robotics was selected for the tour based on its commitment to strengthening the manufacturing industry. Recently, the company introduced the "Save Your Factory" initiative, which urges manufacturers to consider automating and streamlining existing facilities as a potentially more profitable alternative to off-shoring.

"Exports and low costs are critical to the U.S. automotive industry, which supports so many manufacturing jobs in Michigan and throughout America," said Frink. "This administration will continue to seek feedback from private sector manufacturers as we work to lower health care costs, eliminate frivolous lawsuits and remove trade barriers by countries that don't play by the rules."

"Assistant Secretary Frink's visit to Southeast Michigan through Automation Alley speaks to our area's growing reputation throughout the nation as a key economic developer," said Representative Knollenberg. "Today's events are a win-win for government and industry."

"We are pleased to offer our membership the opportunity to have a candid discussion with Frink," said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. "This newly formed relationship will help influence the future of manufacturing in Southeast Michigan."

The roundtable discussion also addressed the increasing importance of digital manufacturing. Tom Anderson, director of the Automation Alley Technology Center, discussed the need to assist small manufacturers, in particular, in adopting automation tools. The Alley's Technology Center is currently working with community colleges in Southeast Michigan to offer training programs in digital manufacturing.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, attracting the creators and consumers of diverse technologies from a variety of industries around the world. The Automation Alley Member Consortium is a membership of technologically diverse, progressive business, governmental and educational visionaries working in concert to attract world-class talent and businesses to Southeast Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/