Manufacturing First

w w w. m a n u f a c t u r in g f i r s t . c o m October 2020 • MANUFACTURING FIRST | 15 leaders to identify some big problems and to ask themselves whether they came out of nowhere or could have been predicted. Take the pandemic, for example. It's become a hard trend, but at the same time, we could have seen it coming and acted more decisively to curtail some of its worst outcomes, he says. As for soft trends, Burrus cites rising health care costs as one. They've been increasing for years, but the situation is not immutable. The health care industry could look to blockchain to bring higher security, more trust, greater transparency and thus lower costs, for example. When it comes to the spread of coronavirus, that's also a soft trend, something we can influence. Masking and other precautions can help reduce transmission. "What do I love about a soft trend? If you don't like it, you can change it," Burrus says. Supply chain is one area where manufacturers have a chance to seize an opportunity amidst the challenge they're experiencing. With so much manufacturing taking place in China and other countries, the United States has a chance to increase its manufacturing capabilities, and Wisconsin can elevate its reputation as the "Silicon Valley of manufacturing," Burrus says. While the world has turned upside down for manufacturers, so too has Manufacturing First itself, undergoing a transformation to an all-virtual event. The new format may lead to some doubts, but Burrus, who's participated in dozens of virtual events since March, says it offers its own benefits. For example, virtual events eliminate the need for travel and require less of a time commitment while still delivering all the same vital content and insights. They also carry fewer distractions, whether a room that's too hot or cold or other people's chatter, meaning attendees can devote their full attention to the presentations. Ann Franz, executive director of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, says while this year's event will look different, it remains the same at its core. To maintain the connections Manufacturing First attendees so value, each day will include networking and exhibitor time. The event will use a virtual platform called Brella that facilitates virtual networking and connects people and businesses to those with similar interests or objectives. "It's hard to believe that this is the 10th year of Manufacturing First," Franz says. "What I value most is the opportunity to learn and network with so many amazing professionals. Utilizing the Brella platform will help us network like never before by using AI technology." On Manufacturing First's second day, Gretchen and Tim Gilbertson, founders of Green Bay-based Séura, will deliver the keynote. After starting the company out of their garage, the Gilbertsons have built it into an internationally recognized leading technology provider of indoor and outdoor TV and mirror solutions. They'll share what they wish had known in the beginning and strategies other manufacturers can put to work in their businesses. Day three will feature a roundtable discussion moderated by Franz and featuring four Northeast Wisconsin manufacturing leaders speaking on the topic of building a great culture in times of crisis. The participating CEOs include Kim Bassett, CEO of Bassett Mechanical, Lanny Viegut, president and CEO of Carnivore Meat Co., Kurt Voss, CEO of AmeriLux, and Sachin Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry. Webinars with live question-and- answer sessions are scheduled for each afternoon of the event, taking place at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Attendees can Manufacturing First will take place virtually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20-22. Visit manufacturingfirst.com to learn more and register. The website also includes a tutorial for Brella, the event platform that uses AI to help facilitate virtual connections. Register by Oct. 10 for the early bird rate of $49. EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS OCT. 10 enjoy additional networking time at 4 p.m. all three days, along with Power Hour and prize giveaways taking place Oct. 22. Burrus encourages attendees to cast aside doubts about the new format and says taking in the event's message is more important than ever. "We are indeed at a unique point in history. This is the 10th anniversary, but it's more than the 10th anniversary. This is a defining moment for us all. We need people to come together. We need to think this through together, as leaders, as manufacturers, as business owners, as managers," he says. Article reprinted from Sept. issue of Insight On Manufacturing magazine Burrus is a New York Times best-selling author of seven books, including his latest, "The Anticipatory Organization," released in 2017. B U R R U S R E S E A R C H , I N C .

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