Mfg4 Conference Brings Together Leading Manufacturers for Shared Collaboration

Dearborn, MI March 11, 2014

For generations, the strength of our country has rested on the power of our factory floors - both the machines and the workforce behind them. This May, industry professionals will gather together on another floor, at the Mfg4 - Manufacturing 4 the Future event to gain knowledge, network, collaborate and share solutions.

Mfg4, sponsored by SME, is one of the manufacturing industry's trusted sources of knowledge and information, will return to the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Conn., from May 6-8, 2014.

This biennial event convenes professionals from leading manufacturers in aerospace, defense (including arms) and medical industries. New this year, is the addition of the co-located MicroManufacturing and Medical Manufacturing Innovations conferences. With a focus on these three major industries plus one strategic technology, Mfg4 encourages both industry solutions and collaboration through exhibits, education sessions, conferences and networking opportunities.

The technologies to be exhibited include: additive manufacturing (commonly called 3D printing), automation, finishing and coating, fabrication, micromanufacturing, precision machining and tooling, quality and more.

"Collaboration is key to innovation. At Mfg4, manufacturers from diverse industries can connect and innovate around their common design and production challenges," said Debbie Holton, SME managing director of industry and technology. "Surrounded by technology - in a highly interactive format - attendees will leverage the knowledge of industry experts and each other to gain competitive advantage."

The inaugural event in 2012 attracted registrants from 42 states and more than a dozen countries seeking to share integrated solutions to common manufacturing challenges. This year, SME is looking forward to returning to New England and exposing attendees to the newest technologies and applications in the region.

"Mfg4 is much more targeted to the markets and job titles we look for-the higher level engineer and department people. Our products require an investment so we need to meet management level people and Mfg4 is delivering just that," said Jeffrey Bourque, communications manager, Nikon Metrology.

This year's keynote speakers include: Tom Herald, PhD, senior fellow, Lockheed Martin - Global Training & Logistics; Dr. Robert J. Shaw, deputy director, office of technology partnership & planning chief, Venture Development & Partnership Office NASA Glenn Research Center; Peter Walsh, vice president, global operations, Medtronic; Christopher Kaye, vice president of research & technical innovation, U.S. Endoscopy; Lynn Gambill, chief engineer of manufacturing engineering & global services, Pratt & Whitney; Mike Reopel, principal, Deloitte Consulting.

For more information about registering, attending, exhibiting, or presenting at Mfg4, please visit mfg4event.com or call 800.733.4763. For the most up-to-date details, follow us on Twitter @mfg4event.

About SME

SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to advancing manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for industry. At SME, we are making the future. Together.