News
09/12/10 - AMICCON - Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference - scheduled for MassMutual Center in Springfield
A Chicopee company that does highly sophisticated, precise machine-tool work searched around the country for a company to supply it with lasers ... only to discover that another Chicopee company could fulfill its needs.
And that company was located next door, literally on property that abuts its new customer.
“People in manufacturing don’t necessarily talk to each other,” said Jeffrey G. Shinners, president of Pioneer Packaging Inc., also located in Chicopee. “You tend to work right within your own industry.”
As a result, even as they work to drum up customers and suppliers around the world, manufacturers know they are missing out on opportunities that are right under their noses.
Read rest of the article at http://www.masslive.com/business-news
09/14/10 - Editorial: Western Massachusetts' businesses get a matchmaker
There’s no place like home. That’s the message that the organizers of the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference, AMICCON for short, have for manufacturers in the region.
The conference is set for Nov. 16 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
While international trade has its allure, it also has its expenses. “It’s cheaper to serve a customer that’s in Chicopee than it is to service a customer who is in Sweden,” said Victor J. Morando, vice president of engineering services for Ellington, Conn.-based Dymotek.
That’s why AMICCON is stepping up to show local manufacturers there is a good chance a company in Western Massachusetts can make the widgets they need to build the gadgets they manufacture.
In short, the conference will be an exercise in communication, or in the words of John G. Moutafis, general manager of United Plastics Group in Chicopee, “manufacturers talking to manufacturers.”
Read rest of the article at http://www.masslive.com/editorial_western_massachusett_7.html
09/14/10 - EDC and AIM to host International Business Event
The EDC is co-hosting an international business event with Associated Industries of Massachusetts-International Business Council (“AIM-IBC”) on October 7 at the Sheraton Springfield, sponsored by MassMutual. We are inviting Trade and Investment agencies, consular officials and chambers of commerce from Europe and North America to come to Springfield to meet the western Mass business community. We believe that this conference represents an excellent opportunity for our region, as well as for our international guests, so we are pleased to host it. The event will include simultaneous panel discussions on foreign direct investment and importing and exporting, both to follow the keynote presentation from Dan Reed of the National Basketball Association. Dan will speak to the NBA’s global marketing initiative as well as his new role managing, and selecting franchise locations for, the NBA Development (“D”) League.
Read rest of the article at http://news.westernmassedc.com/articles/238893/
08/31/10 - Webinar on Barcode Inventory Tracking and Traceability Systems
No cost Webinar on "Barcode Inventory Tracking and Traceability Systems" on Thursday September 16th at 10AM Eastern Daylight Time.
For those organizations that process or transform materials, tracking inventory is a lot more complicated than simply counting widgets. It involves tracking the flow of materials from the receiving dock to the shipping dock. It also typically requires tracking which raw materials went into which products, such that defects can easily be traced back to their source and then the defective materials traced to products shipped to customers.
In this webinar we will look at how to implement end-to-end inventory tracking systems that use barcode and mobile data collection technologies. We will especially focus on replacing the use of paper forms and manual keyboard data entry, which can be expensive and error prone.
Some of the topics we will cover include:
- 1.The benefits of barcode tracking.
- 2. Barcode tracking, printing and mobile data collection devices.
- 3. Barcode tracking methods.
- 4. Tracking inventory and work-in-process.
- 5. Tracking materials through receiving, put-away, production, picking and shipping.
- 6. Meeting traceability requirements, such as those from the FDA.
This no-cost webinar will be presented by Dr. Peter Green, who is a leading expert in barcode tracking and mobile data collection. Dr. Green is the Chief Technology Officer of BellHawk Systems Corporation, which provides barcode inventory tracking and traceability software.
Please click here to register for this event.
Please click here for more information about barcode tracking and mobile data collection systems.
*Bellhawk Systems is an exhibitor at AMICCON NOV 16!
08/27/10 - ABC 40 Interview
07/09/10 - Manufacturing Woes In China
Good article on US manufacturing in China coming back to the US and issues facing Chinese manufacturing as the cost to produce in China continues to rise. Not discussed here is the Chinese law of one child per married couple which is now causing problems in decreased workers - and consumers in China.
Read the article at http://www.wwlp.com/dpps/money/business_news
07/05/10 - Regional Group Will Showcase Assets
A new regional organization comprised mostly of Massachusetts companies wants to expand regionally a “farmers market” approach that several Connecticut groups are using within this state’s borders. Databases of Connecticut suppliers are an important part of the state’s international marketing effort. Here, a visitor to the 2009 Paris Air Show checks out the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology database.
The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference wants to create a venue for Western New England manufacturers and suppliers to come together and do business. To meet this goal, AMICCON is developing a trade show, a young innovators competition, and a database of all regional suppliers and end users.
Read rest of the article at http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news13840.html
06/08/10 - BusinessWest writes another editorial about AMICCON
Manufacturers in Western Mass. are skilled at putting the pieces together, so to speak, to create countless products. But they haven’t been as effective making connections amongst each other.
That’s the driving idea behind AMICCON, or the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference, which is, nominally, a regional event set for this fall in Springfield — and yet, its organizers say, much more.
Read the rest of the article at http://businesswest.com/details.asp?id=2532
05/18/2010 - EASTEC 2010
AMICCON is very proud that Kim Farrugia, Senior Trade Show Manager, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and head of the big EASTEC 2010 show held each May in West Springfield, MA, has been a member of the AMICCON Founding Steering Committee since October 2009. EASTEC typically draws over 800 exhibitors and 14,000 attendees during its 3 day run and is the largest manufacturing show on the east coast. Some highlights for EASTEC 2010 include:
SME PRESENTS EASTEC 2010 AT THE BIG E MAY 25 – 27
Innovation will be a key theme at EASTEC 2010, the largest annual precision manufacturing event on the East Coast. The three-day event will kick off on May 25 with an Executive Breakfast where Chris Trimble, the author of 10 Rules for Strategic Innovators, will present “The Innovation Imperative and Revitalizing the U.S. Economy." EASTEC 2010 will also launch Innovations Theater this year where manufacturers will introduce new products and services introduced since last year’s event. Over 90 manufacturers have indicated they will be showcasing new products at EASTEC 2010 including Massachusetts-based Citizen Machinery America, Inc.
“Innovation is the key to converting opportunity into success, growth and new jobs,” notes Kimberly Farrugia, EASTEC show manager. “The EASTEC 2010 event is a unique opportunity to learn what other companies are doing, share best practices and create networks to increase productivity and profitability. According to a recent report by Deloitte and the New England Council, advanced manufacturing has the potential to add 7,500-8,000 jobs with salaries averaging close to $80,000 annually.” Farrugia stated that 19 manufacturers have signed up to make presentations at the EASTEC 2010 Innovations Theater on subjects ranging from “The Next Generation of Generative Laser Process Technology” to “CAD/CAM for Robots.”
About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events and activities, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning all manufacturing industries and disciplines, plus the key areas of aerospace and defense, medical device, motor vehicles, including motorsports, and oil and gas. A 501(c)3 organization, SME has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of technical communities and chapters worldwide. SME is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.
05/10/10 - BusinessWest Supports AMICCON Mission with Editorial
BusinessWest Editor, George O’Brien, showed clear understanding and support of the AMICCON concept and mission in his editorial delivered in the May 10th edition of this leading, bi-weekly regional business publication. The editorial can also be found online at http://businesswest.com/details.asp?id=2489
05/06/10 – BusinessWest is AMICCON Media Sponsor
AMICCON is very proud to announce the addition of BusinessWest: The Business Journal of Western Massachusetts to its growing group of outstanding sponsors. George O’Brien, Editor, and Kate Campiti, Associate Publisher, met with the AMICCON Steering Committee on May 6, 2009 to unveil their proposal as AMICCON’s media sponsor. BusinessWest is widely considered the leading business periodical for western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut and a very supportive member of the business community – and now AMICCON.
05/03/10 – AMICCON Steering Committee Members As Sponsors
AMICCON is extremely honored to announce the following AMICCON Steering Committee members who have each pledged substantial sponsor amounts as a clear demonstration of their belief in the AMICCON project. They are:
- Eric Hagopian, President, Hoppe Tool, Chicopee, MA
- Ann Paradis, President & CEO, MicroTek, Chicopee, MA
- Joe Peters, President & CEO, Universal Plastics, Holyoke, MA
- Jeff Shinners, President, Pioneer Packaging, Chicopee, MA
- Tony Peterson, President, Atlantic Fasteners, West Springfield, MA
- Jeff Sattler, President, NUVO Bank & Trust, Springfield, MA
- Marty Caine, Regional Manager, Wolf & Co., Springfield, MA
04/19/10 – DIF Design – Lead Sponsor of AMICCON Website
Peter Ellis, DIF Design Creative Director, and partner, Dennis Driscoll, are now providing website and marketing services to AMICCON. Said Driscoll, “We clearly see what the AMICCON folks are doing in promoting the region’s manufacturers, their supply chains and in attracting OEMs.” “They win – we all win,” commented Ellis, “it’s a unique and very exciting new project with whom we are proud to be a contributing partner!” Said AMICCON Co-Founder, Ellen Bemben, “we are equally proud to be working with DIF Design. They have an outstanding reputation and have clearly demonstrated their desire to contribute to the success of the AMICCON mission.”
04/12/10 – MassMutual Center – Lead Venue Sponsor for AMICCON
AMICCON Co-Founder, Jeff Sattler, President, NUVO Bank & Trust, from the very start, wanted the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA as the primary venue for the AMICCON project. Sattler and Co-Founder, Ellen Bemben, met several times with MassMutual Center Sales Manager, Melissa Voutour and Director of Sales, Monique Messier, and toured the facility. Upon learning what Sattler and Bemben were planning for the region’s manufacturers, the MassMutual Center team asked how they might help and subsequently came onboard as the “official” AMICCON event venue. Said Voutour, “We understand AMICCON is more than just one manufacturing event – it is a continuum with a highly specific mission whereby Springfield and the region will benefit. We are proud to partner with them!”
01/14/10 – Massachusetts Export Center – To Present 2 Seminars at AMICCON
P. Ann Pieroway, western MA Program Director, Massachusetts Export Center and AMICCON Steering Committee member, announced that they will present one panel of “Export Experts” and a seminar entitled, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for Defense and Aerospace Export” at the November 16, 2010 AMICCON event. AMICCON Co-Chair, Ellen Bemben, said she was “thrilled to have Mass Export’s award winning training at AMICCON, adding that they had recently won two major national awards for excellence. One award was the Presidential ‘E’ Award for excellence in exporting. This award is ‘the highest honor the federal government can give to American citizens, firms or organizations that have made significant contributions to the increase or American exports.’ The Massachusetts Export Center was presented this award by President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez, in Washington, D.C.” Continued Bemben, “we are honored to have these high caliber events at AMICCON.”
