The Congress is being held in Japan for the first time in 14 years. This, the 15th Congress, takes increased competitiveness as its theme and has two venues, one in the national capital of Tokyo and the other in Nagoya, one of Japan's leading manufacturing centers and a city with a long history. More...
Delegates from the United States, France, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and the United Kingdom recently met in Hakone, Japan for the 39th Presidents Council meeting of the International Council of Sheet Metal Presswork Associations (ICOSPA). Discussion focused on economic conditions and the outlook for the metalforming industry in each country, with special attention on the supply and cost of raw materials, especially flat-rolled steel. Trade relations with China also were discussed.
According to The Economist magazine's Economist Intelligence Unit website (www.eiu.com), the world economy is growing at its fastest pace in 20 years. In an online interview, Robin Bew, The Economist Intelligence Unit's chief economist states growth is being led by the US and, suprisingly, a revitalised Japan. Emerging Asia is also poised to do very well, but Europe continues to lag behind.
Read the transcript, view the video or listen to the audio online...
Jim McGregor, president of Morgal Machine Tool Company and Ohio Stamping & Machine, Springfield, OH, has been appointed as a key member of the Bush Administration's Manufacturing Council. The Council, which consists of manufacturing leaders from across the industry, will serve as a voice for manufacturers within the Administration by advocating issues of importance to the manufacturing sector, such as promoting open markets and a level playing field, lowering costs, investing in innovation, and strengthening education and training.
McGregor is one of 13 manufacturers on the Council. His companies employ nearly 400 people and are among the largest manufacturers in Clark County, OH. The companies provide metal stampings, machined parts and value-added assemblies for the automotive, locomotive, agricultural and lawn and garden industries. In the announcement of McGregor's appointment to the Council, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans said, "Jim's firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by manufacturers will help address problems head on and develop recommendations to strengthen the industry."
McGregor has been an active PMA member for many years. He previously served on PMA's Board of Directors and is a current member of the Government Relations Committee and the PMAEF's Board of Trustees. In 2003, he received the Excellence in Leadership Award, PMA's highest recognition granted to an individual in the metalforming industry. "PMA is delighted that Jim McGregor has been appointed to the new Manufacturing Council," said PMA President William E. Gaskin, CAE. "He is a smart businessman, is very savvy on political issues and will devote the time and energy necessary to be a strong advocate for domestic manufacturers and the metalforming industry on the Council."
Every 3 years since the founding of ISTMA over 25 years ago, association members, now comprising over 8,000 organisations worldwide, gather together to exchange information and explore new and better avenues for cross-border collaboration. The conference will be held for the first time in Asia.
ISTMA is an international association representing twenty-six special tooling and machining associations throughout the world, with a combined membership of over 8,000 companies and over 40 billion US dollars in annual sales. ISTMA World is in charge of the central coordination and organization of all international activities. United under this roof are the following regional sections: ISTMA Americas, FADMA/ISTMA Asia and ISTMA Europe.
