THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING IN CT

MFG. IN CT--TODAY  END PRODUCT MFRS.  LARGE, GLOBAL, B TO B MFRS.  CONTRACT MFRS.  MFG. SERVICE PROVIDERS  MISC. SERVICE PROVIDERS

END PRODUCT MFRS. (DRIVERS)  UNITED TECHNOLOGIES, GE, PITNEY BOWES, STANLEY WORKS, ELECTRIC BOAT, US SURGICAL, XEROX, LOCTITE, KAMAN, ETC.

LARGE, “GLOBAL” B TO B  BARNES GROUP, TIMKEN (TORRINGTON), ROGERS, LYDALL, PRAXAIR, TRUMPF, STANADYNE, ETC.

(MANY) CONTRACT MFRS.  STAMPING (OKAY), SPRINGS, MACHINING, PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING, DIE CASTING, METAL INJECTION MOLDING, POWDERED METAL, ETC.

MFG. SERVICE PROVIDERS  HEAT TREATING, PLATING, AUTOMATION SUPPLIERS PLUMBING/ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, STEEL ROLLING MILLS, PACKAGING SERVICES, CORRUGATED, ISO CONSULTANTS, ETC.

MISC. SERVICE PROVIDERS  PAYROLL, IT, ACCT’G., LEGAL, TRAINING, ENVIRONMENTAL, BUSINESS CONSULTANTS, ETC.

PROBLEMS COMMON TO ALL OF THESE GROUPS  HEALTH CARE COSTS  AGING FACILITIES, AGING SKILLED WORKERS, INSUFFICIENT REPLACEMENTS  LIABILITY, W.C. INSURANCE COSTS  PENSION COSTS  TAXES  FOREIGN COMPETITION

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR SMALLS  MORE MKTG. TO DIVERSIFY  CLOSER LIASON WITH CUST. R&D  CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVE.— QUALITY, LEADTIMES, LEAN (ELIMINATE WASTE)  MORE VALUE ADDED SERVICES, E.G., SUBASSEMBLIES  WORKING CONDITIONS/RECRUITING

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR “BIGCOS”  INTERNET AUCTIONS  FOCUS ON CORP, R&D IN CT, LESS ON MFG.  MORE INNOVATION, NEW PRODUCTS, NEW MARKETS  MOVE/EXPAND TO LOWER COST AREAS  CHINA (LARGE MARKET, LOW COST)

HUGE DEPENDENCE ON “BIGCOS”  PROXIMITY IS A SIGNIFICANT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR:  CONTRACT MFRS.  MFG SERVICE PROVIDERS  MISC. SERVICE PROVIDERS

RESPONSES TO BUSINESS LOST TO CHINA/ASIA  DIVERSIFY/ADD NEW BUSINESS FASTER THAN EROSION OF OLD  SET UP CHINA SATELLITE TO KEEP CUSTOMERS/LOWER COSTS  MAINTAIN SOME HIGHER END MFG. IN CT, PURCHASE OTHER FROM CHINA FOR RESALE

BUSINESS CLIMATE PROMOTORS  C.B.I.A.  GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON COMPETITIVENESS & TECHNOLOGY  MAD(E) IN THE USA

GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL INITIATIVES  BUSINESS CLUSTERS  ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARDS  ISSUE ADVISORY GROUPS

MANUFACTURING CLUSTERS  AEROSPACE COMPONENTS MFG.  BIO SCIENCE  METAL MANUFACTURING  PLASTIC MANUFACTURING  NON MFG: INSURANCE, MARITIME, AGRICULTURE, SOFTWARE/IT, AND TOURISM

ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARDS  TRANSPORTATION  WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT  INNER CITY REVITALIZATION  MARKETING  LEAN MFG. STATEWIDE  STATE BIO SCIENCE OFFICE

ISSUE ADVISORY GROUPS  CT ENERGY ISSUES  REGIONAL VOC TECH SCHOOLS

CONCLUSIONS  CONTINUED GRADUAL EROSION OF MFG. EMPLOYMENT  INNOVATION WILL ADD NEW JOBS  BETTER TO PROMOTE INNOVATION THAN TO HANG ON TO OLD TECH.  WE CAN MAINTAIN/IMPROVE GAINS IN BUSINESS COSTS