March 20, 2015
Workshop to focus on bringing jobs to region
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A workshop next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will focus on bringing manufacturing and service companies back to the region.
“Made in Southern Illinois: Bringing Business Back Home,” is set for Wednesday, March 25, at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive in Carbondale. The workshop is from noon to 4:30 p.m.
The event will bring together the region’s business leaders and key stakeholders to discuss how best to support efforts to bring manufacturing and service companies back to Southern Illinois, reduce supply chain costs, create jobs and foster innovation.
The keynote speaker is John Remsey, project manager of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center’s National Institutes of Standards and Technology -- Manufacturing Extension Partnership Supply Chain Optimization Program. Remsey has more than 20 years of experience in the business and manufacturing industry, particularly with supply chain optimization, information technology, lean manufacturing and production control. He will discuss how to accurately determine the total cost of offshore outsourcing and to identify hidden supply chain costs that can adversely affect profits.
The afternoon will include a panel discussion about supply chain lessons learned. Panelists include Greg Sprehe, CEO of Compac International; Mike Zefera of the National Railway Equipment Corporation; Larry Mieldizis, chief revenue officer of Liaison Technologies; Gregory DeYong, assistant professor of operations management for the SIU College of Business, and Remsey.
SIU President Randy Dunn will provide the welcome for the event that begins with a noon luncheon and wraps up with a networking session and reception at 3:15 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required for luncheon considerations.
For more information, or to register, call 618/453-5044 or email innovation@siu.edu.
Sponsors include the Connect SIU Foundation, Franklin County Regional Economic Development Corporation, Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission, Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Jackson Growth Alliance, Jefferson County Regional Development Corporation and the Regional Economic Development Corporation.