The Next Generation of Manufacturing: Munro & Associates' CEO Discusses Advancements in Manufacturing at the American Manufacturing Strategies Summit

TROY, Mich., Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Manufacturers using the tools of yesterday are doomed to fail. So says Sandy Munro, CEO, Munro & Associates, Inc., who will present an interactive workshop titled "Yesterday's Productivity Tools are Not Good Enough Today" during the American Manufacturing Strategies Summit on Monday, Nov. 7 from 3:45 to 4:20 p.m.

"The tools of yesterday can only perfect an existing design or procedure," Munro said. "To compete in today's market, manufacturers need to use new predictive approaches to closely examine their products and processes in the earliest stages so optimization can occur before investments are made. By focusing on manufacturing at the product design stage, where 70 percent of manufacturing costs are determined, predictive approaches can help manufacturers make huge gains in profitability, quality and time to market."

During his presentation, Munro will discuss how the current business climate is forcing new technologies and thinking, such as the importance of modeling and mitigating manufacturing risk accurately and early in the process. The session will also include a live demonstration showing how manufacturers can model unlimited manufacturing options at the product development phase, which, according to Munro, is the most critical step in the entire development process.

"The success of any program is in the hand off," Munro said. "With product design dictating 70 percent of manufacturing costs, it doesn't matter how hard a manufacturing engineer works, he is only going to be as successful as the product design that's been handed to him. If the hand off is good, then there's a chance. But if it's not, then the program is going nowhere at full speed and everyone loses."

Munro will discuss the tools available to help drive change to better performing product design, such as new predictive software that provides data on how various aspects of a design will impact quality, reliability and profit. During this presentation, he will demonstrate how manufacturers can quantify and track every aspect of the design and re-design process to produce a reliable, high-quality end product.

For additional information about the presentation or to learn more about how Munro has successfully helped companies in a variety of industries increase profitability by improving quality, reliability and value, stop by the Munro booth (#24) during the show.

A catalyst, coach and change agent, Munro has helped some of the world's top manufacturers implement cultural change and lean design. With more than 40 years of experience in designing, building and processing components, Munro's dedicated focus on the tenets of lean design principles has helped manufacturers serving a variety of industries realize tremendous increases in profits and market share. Through his company, Munro & Associates, he has helped clients save more than $9 billion, as well as save and/or create tens of thousands of jobs.

Founded in 1988, Munro & Associates Inc. is a world class consulting engineering firm based in Troy, Mich. with offices in Europe, Canada, Australia and Asia. The firm specializes in upfront, predictive methods to increase profitability by improving quality, reliability and value, while reducing total lifecycle costs. The Munro team delivers in-depth knowledge in product design, manufacturing, quality and technologies from a broad selection of industries.

Munro's diverse customer list includes: Abbott Laboratories; ATK; Bentley; Boeing; Cardinal Health; Caterpillar; Chrysler; General Dynamics; Hussmann Corp.; Lockheed Martin; Medtronic, Inc.; Nikon; Raytheon; Rolls Royce; Rubbermaid; TACOM LCMC; Tata Motors and more. For more information, visit www.leandesign.com.

SOURCE Munro & Associates, Inc.