CMTC Featured Event

Aerospace & Defense Suppliers
Leadership Summit 2010
Strategies for Leadership, Growth and Competitive Advantage in the Future

October 6, 2010 - 7:30am - 1:00pm - Breakfast and lunch provided

The first of these series will be focused on sharing industry best practices to help A&D suppliers in California become more competitive and grow as our country begins to recover from the recession. A&D manufacturing has been a cornerstone of California manufacturing and is still an important provider of jobs in the state.

With the economic recovery forthcoming, it’s not going to be “business as usual”. Aerospace and Defense (A&D) suppliers in California need to prepare for top line growth and bottom line operations improvement to remain viable and be able to compete globally.

Topics Covered:

MEP and Next Generation Manufacturing – Future Trends and Best Practices for Success
In a recent study of over 500 small and medium manufacturers in the U.S., MEP found that there are six forward-looking strategies that will be driving manufacturing growth and profitability in the 21st century.  Understanding future manufacturing trends and how these strategies can apply to the A&D industry and your company will lead to better business performance and global competitiveness.

Systemic Continuous Improvement as a Competitive Advantage
Have you implemented lean initiatives in your company but are not sure how to take it the next level? We will ask a panel of experts from Boeing, successful A&D suppliers and industry practitioners about their viewpoints and experiences in the following key areas:

• Key projects and benefits
• Challenges to success and how to overcome obstacles
• Successful approaches and tools
• Effectively measuring impact of improved operations in business and financial performance.

Growth Opportunities for A&D Suppliers and Alternate Channels to DoD Contracting
Manufacturers have been reducing cost in their organizations by implementing lean initiatives. The result has been a significant improvement on the cost side of the equation. However, expanding sales has proven to be much more difficult especially in a transitioning industry like A&D. In this session, we will cover the top three strategies for growth including:

• Innovating new products
• Pioneering entry to new industries or markets (local and foreign)
• Expanding sales in existing markets

We will ask a panel of experts to provide case study examples and steps executives can take to help address growth challenges in their organizations.

Leveraging Federal and State Workforce Resources to Help Your Business Succeed
Recent manufacturing studies show that overall more than three quarters of U.S. manufacturers do not take advantage of government programs. Learn what federal, state and local resources, programs and grants are available to you to help your company move forward with the strategies that will be discussed in this summit. 

Keynote Address: What's Ahead for A&D Manufacturing in California? Trends and Opportunities in a Transitioning Industry

Jack Kyser, Chief Economic Advisor
Southern California Association of Governments

Jack Kyser will provide the latest economic information, trends and policies impacting aerospace and defense suppliers in Southern California.  The economic outlook will cover recent developments in all three segments – space, commercial aerospace and defense. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about where the A&D industry is headed and what you can do to successfully manage your company through this transition.