Presenting ARC's Thirteenth Annual Orlando Forum
Winning Strategies and Best Practices for Sustainable Manufacturing
February 2-5, 2009 - Orlando, Florida
Whether or not you believe that human activity is responsible for global warming, as a manufacturer, you can no longer afford to ignore the issues of sustainability and resource conservation. Not only is the health of the earth’s environment for future generations at stake, but the future profitability of your company will be tied directly to how well you address today’s emerging sustainable manufacturing issues. Recognizing that there is a problem and wishing for change are not enough. One has to execute real change. How do you formulate a rational approach and create a plan that can gain support at all levels within your company? More to the point, how do you justify sustainable manufacturing approaches in dollars and cents? This Forum will provide concepts, a framework, and networking opportunities that can serve as the foundation for developing your strategy.
What is “sustainability?” In the general sense, sustainability has become a term that encompasses ecological and environmental goals to help mitigate a broad spectrum of scientific, social, and political issues. These include pollution, climate change, endangered species, globalization, and more. Supporters of Green politics, share many ideas for ecology, conservation, the environment, genetic modification, feminism, peace, civil liberties, social justice, and non-violence. With so many different interests thrown into the pot, the concept of sustainability becomes confusing and, sometimes, conflicted. At this Forum, you will obtain some clarity and specificity for manufacturers.
Sustainability implies the ability to operate in a way that meets present needs while providing for the needs of the future and future generations. 'Sustainable manufacturing' has emerged to define a socially, environmentally, and resource-responsible approach to manufacturing. Sustainable manufacturing embodies three principal concepts: design and produce environmentally friendly products, in environmentally friendly plants, with environmentally friendly supplier and distribution networks. Today’s plants have been designed to enable the production of products of a certain type at a certain quality and rate, but the underlying cost assumptions often do not reflect today’s skyrocketing regulatory, energy, and raw materials costs or emerging requirements for sustainability. It’s critical to take a fresh look at many manufacturing practices. In some cases, radically new approaches will be introduced. In this Forum, sustainability will be defined in terms that are actionable for a manufacturing business.
The global response is accelerating. In 2007, a number of governmental policy activities occurred, including by the EU, US Congress, Chinese government, and others. Successful leaders need the right strategies, technologies, and practices to address their company’s challenges for sustainability.
Join us in Orlando to learn what others are doing and how you can develop your own winning strategy. No other conference offers you such a high level of personal interaction in an environment exclusively focused on manufacturing. Whether you are a manufacturer or a technology supplier, you cannot afford to miss this event!