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Forum and Reception Exceed Expectations

The MMA hosted its third annual CEO Forum and Legislative & Executive Reception this week – bringing more than 100 senior-level executives from Michigan’s manufacturing industry together in an effort to discuss strategies for strengthening the state’s industrial sector.

“This year’s events were, without a doubt, the most well-attended, impactful and engaging programs we’ve hosted to date,” said John “Mac” MacIlroy, MMA president and CEO. “I believe the mark for the 2009 Forum and Reception has just been elevated to a new level and we’re proud to have provided such valuable opportunity to our membership.”

After the keynote presentation by Mr. James Hackett, president and CEO of Steelcase Inc., in which he emphasized that “the future is about the prospect of being better,” the Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award winners were announced in front of a packed crowd. The roughly 170 attendees included industry representatives, students, the media and special guests. Following the lunch program, executives gathered for several presentations by leaders of Michigan’s manufacturing organizations.

Mr. J. Donald Sheets, Dow Corning CFO and Americas area president, gave a riveting presentation about the importance of fostering innovation in corporate cultures and his experience with developing new strategies and ideas that can lead to growth.

“Sustaining innovation is one of the hardest things to do in business,” said Sheets during his remarks. “Innovation is just as much an attitude as it is a process. It is dependent on passion, diversity, timing and luck. Organizations must define what innovation means to them and then determine how they can do it better.

“At Dow Corning, we realized that customers aren’t buying tradition anymore – if they really ever did,” Sheets added. “It isn’t enough to know what innovation means to your organization but to know what it means to your customers. You must listen to what customers need…and always remember that innovation must be driven from the top down.”

Following the presentation by Mr. Sheets, Mr. John Sztykiel, CEO of Spartan Motors, spoke to the crowd about innovation in emerging markets.

“Today, companies need to create emerging markets – it isn’t enough to just react to them,” said Mr. Sztykiel. “You can’t always put a number in front of a strategic vision. At Spartan Motors, we’ve promoted the idea that innovation is a part of our passionate culture and that you can’t always quantify innovative ideas.”

The Forum closed with a panel discussion featuring the leaders of Alro Steel Corporation and Morbark, Inc. Mr. Alvin Glick, Chairman and CEO of Alro, Mr. Mark Alyea, Alro president and COO, Mr. Lon Morey, Morbark president and CEO, and Mr. Jim Shoemaker, vice president of operations for Morbark, highlighted the benefits and growth that have occurred from their innovative partnership.

“The achievements that have come as a result of our unique partnership are because we’ve built a solid relationship with one another based on a strong dedication to vision and customer service,” commented Mr. Shoemaker. “However, at the core of our partnership is an intense trust in one another. That’s how we’ve been able to thrive.”

After the Forum, guests made their way to the Country Club of Lansing for the Legislative & Executive Reception in which the House and Senate Advocate of the Year Awards were presented to Rep. Steve Bieda, Rep. Paul Condino, Sen. Judson Gilbert and Sen. Mark Jansen for their efforts on the Michigan Business Tax last year. More over, Michigan’s manufacturing leaders were able to discuss the latest pressing issues facing industry with many of Lansing’s political powerbrokers.

“To sum up the events, I believe it was one of the most important and moving days that Michigan’s manufacturing community has experienced in recent memory,” MacIlroy added. “I believe our senior-level guests appreciated this opportunity and are looking forward to next year’s programs.”