Senator Amy Klobuchar
Will Speak at February 21
State of Manufacturing®
Rollout in Minneapolis

A special guest is now scheduled to attend The State of Manufacturing® survey's rollout event on February 21. Senator Amy Klobuchar will provide introductory remarks prior to pollster Rob Autry's presentation of the survey results at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and sponsored by Enterprise Minnesota and partners, the fourth-annual State of Manufacturing® project surveyed 400 Minnesota manufacturing executives in January on their perspectives, experiences and opinions regarding the manufacturing industry's current state. Twenty focus groups held across the state provide additional insights.

This year's poll results revealed manufacturing executives' continued optimism in the futures of their companies, yet saw a dramatic spike in concerns over finding qualified workers. Eighty-two percent of executives say they are confident about the future of their firms. However, worry over finding qualified workers has doubled over the past year. Thirty-one percent of executives say this issue is a concern for their firm, up from 14 percent in 2011. Full survey results will be available on the Enterprise Minnesota website on Tuesday, February 21.

Senator Klobuchar often points out that an important thing for the future of Minnesota is "making things again" and that growing the manufacturing sector can happen through partnerships, greater access to expert advice, and education.

Klobuchar is a longtime supporter of Enterprise Minnesota and partners' State of Manufacturing® project and its role in publicizing the manufacturing industry's prominent position as a driver of economic development. As a contributor to the 2011 State of Manufacturing book, Klobuchar said, "I truly believe, and I have argued this to the President of the United States, that the way we get out of this recession is with manufacturing-by making things again, by exporting to the world."

Klobuchar is looking forward to participating in this year's rollout event.

For more information about The State of Manufacturing® and to register to attend a survey rollout event in your area, go to www.enterpriseminnesota.org.

Practical Problem Solving - Removing Obstacles in the Way of Production Perfection

March 20, 2012
8:00am-11:00am
Mate Precision Tooling (Anoka, MN)
Early Bird $79 (before March 6) or $110 Regular

What to Expect?
Practical Problem Solving is the turbocharger that powers early Lean efforts past waste reduction results to creating more value for customers. Practical Problem Solving makes manufacturers better, stronger, and more capable. Come and learn how your organization may benefit!

Speakers:

David Meier, President, Lean Associates Inc.

Jane Schlegel, Senior Account Executive, Fiserv, Inc.

Mike Braml, Business Growth Advisor, Enterprise Minnesota

Jeremy Guhlke, Machine Operator and Trainer, Alexandria Pro-Fab Co., Inc.


Moderator:

Bill Martinson, Business Growth Consultant, Enterprise Minnesota


Register online today