Great Lakes Manufacturing Forum Pledges Next Steps; Council for Great Lakes Manufacturing to Take the Lead
DETROIT, March 4 -- The Great Lakes region needs to share best practices and promote innovation, according to the nearly 300 representatives of Canadian and U.S. organizations that gathered today at the first Great Lakes Manufacturing Forum. The Forum was presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to establish shared goals to maintain and increase the competitive advantages of manufacturing in the Great Lakes region.
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The participants, representing stakeholders from Ontario, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York, spent the day in action planning sessions to address four key areas: the image of manufacturing in general and Great Lakes manufacturing in particular; workforce development and ongoing training; innovation in products and processes; and improvements in borders and logistics.
Much of the continuing dialogue will take place through the Council for Great Lakes Manufacturing. Council members will be elected from among the forum participants.
Concluding the Forum, David Gavsie, chairman of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, laid out the Council's goals:
* To develop and pursue a common agenda that will result in a regional competitive advantage for the Great Lakes region.
* To establish shared goals to maintain and increase the competitive advantages of manufacturing in the Great Lakes region
* To develop an interactive network among key governmental and educational institutions focused on the success of manufacturing in the Great Lakes region
* To develop best practices throughout the region relating to the common themes of image, workforce, innovation and borders and logistics.
* To communicate an image of Great Lakes manufacturing that focuses on advanced manufacturing throughout the region.
"The Province of Ontario and the Great Lakes States have much in common -- and one of our shared treasures is the manufacturing strength of this great region," said Gavsie. "Everyone else in the world would love to have it, and if we don't defend it, they'll take it."
Richard E. Blouse Jr., CCE, president and CEO of Detroit Regional Chamber, noted that organizers of the Council anticipate that the collaborative will work through a lead organization in every state and the province. The collaborative will engage the participants in pursuit of the goals identified at the Forum, develop an interactive central Website and communications center and hold periodic conference calls and meetings.
"The importance and dynamic nature of manufacturing in the Great Lakes region is widely misunderstood. Manufacturing faces many challenges. However, it is competitive, vibrant and responsive," said Blouse. Blouse and Len Crispino, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, will serve as interim co-chairs of the Council until all members have been selected.
Concluding the forum, Richard Dauch, chairman, founder and CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing, noted that manufacturing in the U.S. comprises about the same share of the economy as it did in the 1940s, and that manufacturers have spawned many manufacturing-related businesses and jobs in the service sector in their continuing evolution to higher levels of productivity and efficiency.
Results of the Forum include an action agenda produced by the participants and panelists representing leading organizations throughout the region and the two countries. Complete results of the forum will be available in a special report to be produced this spring.
The Detroit Regional Chamber is the leading business organization in the region and the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The Chamber's mission -- to power the economy for Southeast Michigan -- is carried out through business attraction efforts, public policy advocacy, strategic partnerships and quality products and services for members.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce represents over 57,000 businesses through 160 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and has been Ontario's business advocate since 1911. Its advocacy and policy initiatives focus on six areas key to the economic well-being of the province: health; education; energy; finance & taxation; transportation & infrastructure; and border issues.
For more information on the Great Lakes Manufacturing Forum or the Council for Great Lakes Manufacturing, contact Lisa Katz at (313) 596-0460 or e-mail: lkatz@detroitchamber.com .
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