Guest Editorial Dennis S. Bray, PhD, FSME
SME International Director and Interim CEO Member Since 1985
smeSpeaks Making an Impact with Words E
very year, the leaders of SME, which includes volun- teers and staff, sit down to discuss the coming year, and one of the many things discussed is the editorial content for SME Speaks. Throughout the years, as SME evolves, so do the topics in SME Speaks—2014 will be no exception. Our goal this year with SME Speaks, as one of our outward-facing communication methods, is to continue building on the theme outlined by SME President Mike Molnar in his January editorial that SME is a collaborative organization uniquely dedicated to advancing manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for industry. The 2014 editorials will therefore be a blend of both relevant topics from industry professionals and what SME is doing to make an impact on industry, all the while highlighting the role people have in innovation in manufacturing. I believe that “The greatest opportunity to make a better future is to expand and utilize the abilities of people.” As we watch the manufacturing industry continue to improve and create new career opportunities for people in manufactur- ing, SME maintains its focus to: “Connect all those who are passionate about making things that improve the world.” Our SME Speaks’ editorials are one of our ways to accomplish this. For several years now, SME has been trying to dispel the myth that a career in manufacturing involves working in a dirty factory environment, with no advanced training and/or higher education needed. As all of us know who are currently involved in industry, the large majority of manufacturing plants are clean, sterile environments with state-of-the-art machines and equipment. This type of cutting-edge manufacturing requires more education and training than ever before, which is why it’s no longer enough to just talk about SME’s products and services—we need to show how they are being used to make an impact.
For example, let’s talk about one very influential part of SME and how it’s making an impact on the future-generation workforce. Since 2007, the SME Education Foundation (SME-EF) has provided in-kind gifts of more than $345 million thanks to the generosity of its industry partners. Whether it’s through monetary gifts, in-kind donations or volunteering, the Foundation’s corporate sponsors have been a vital part of helping it provide students access to an advanced manufac- turing education that will allow them to compete in a 21st- century global economy. Not only is this a great example of collaboration, but it also addresses both the knowledge and skill needs for industry because engaging the younger genera- tion and getting them excited about careers in manufacturing is a cornerstone of SME’s vision/mission/purpose. To capitalize on this, in a mid-year Speaks editorial, you’ll hear from a 2013 SME-EF scholarship winner and how winning $70,000 has made a difference in her life and education. At the opposite end of the spectrum, SME, in associa- tion with its four partners, produces the highly successful FABTECH, which is the largest metalforming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in North America. FABTECH 2013 had a total of 40,667 attendees who visited 1573 exhibitors to see live equipment demonstrations, compare products side-by-side to find cost-saving solutions at product displays spread across 650,000 sq ft of exhibits at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was the largest FABTECH show in history and clearly illustrates the magnitude just one event can have. Through SME’s events, attendees are often exposed to the up- and-coming innovations making their way into manufacturing facilities throughout the country. You’ll learn more about these innovations in an upcoming issue as well.
In addition, you can expect editorials on education and workforce development that will express the need to continue
February 2014 |
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