This morning's jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a fairly robust number, especially when compared to what economists had projected. With nonfarm payrolls in America growing by 242,000 against an estimated gain of 195,000, the markets were likely surprised with the resiliency in the marketplace.
The report and others like it will likely be dissected in the upcoming 17th West Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium on March 10th. Registration is currently underway at the Van Andel Global Trade Center on the Grand Rapids campus of Grand Valley State University where manufacturers will gather to discuss what is Powering the Pipeline.
Michigan's Great Southwest is still heavily engaged in that pipeline as key providers to the original equipment manufacturers with a multitude of parts being machined, built and otherwise innovated in factories and shops across the region.
The annual symposium promises to take a look at how Michigan is powering the automotive industry's pipeline through mergers & acquisitions, new innovations, and talent procurement. The annual affair of the best of the West Michigan automotive suppliers brings together business owners, senior management, and decision makers from all tiers of the automotive industry.
The popular symposium annually provides the most up-to-date industry forecasts, latest issues and trends, with opportunities to network and learn from others in an increasingly challenging industry.
Organizers of the symposium say that in an age where the competition is not only heating up between tiers, but also among global technology companies, finding the right tools and resources to keep up with the newest innovations is increasingly the most critical way to keep the business community successful both now and in the future.
Plante Moran is the title sponsor for the 17th West Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium which is also underwritten by Warner, Norcross & Judd Attorneys at Law, Chase Bank, IHS, The Right Place of Grand Rapids, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Manufacturing & Technologies Center, Morrison Industrial Equipment Company, MiBiz, and Axis Systems — Factory Automation Specialists.
The symposium takes place from 7:30am until noon on Thursday, March 10th at GVSU's Loosemore Auditorium in Grand Rapids. Keynote speakers include Deb Schroeder, the Purchasing General Manager of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America…Chris Hall, VP of Corporate Strategy for MOTUS Integrated Technologies…Noel Cuellar, CEO of Primera Plastics, and Mike Wall, Director of IHS Automotive Analysis.
Interested manufacturers from the region are invited to register for the symposium at www.VAGTC.org of you can call 616-331-6811 for additional information.
