Communities with vibrant industry clusters can often be identified by the size and scope of the tradeshows filling their event and exposition halls. Germany has Hannover Messe. California has SEMCON West. Detroit has Automate. For the advanced manufacturing industry in Greater Grand Rapids, that marque event is the annual Advanced Manufacturing Expo (AME) now in its seventh year.
This year’s AME will take place over two days, August 9 and 10, at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Each year, AME attracts vendors and attendees from across the country. This free-to-attend event will feature dedicated halls for specified manufacturing processes in automation, metalworking, and mechanics. Additionally, the show will include a pitch event focused on innovative industry 4.0 technologies, hosted by i4.0 Accelerator, with eight companies pitching their technologies live on stage on Wednesday. Last year, AME featured 3,000 manufacturers and industry experts and all accounts point to another successful year.
The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center will host a booth at the event in the Automation Hall and be on hand to discuss the consulting programs and tools the organization offers to streamline and improve operational excellence for manufacturing companies. The Center is currently offering a free Industry 4.0 Assessment program, aimed at promoting smart and efficient investment in advanced manufacturing technologies to help Michigan manufacturers prepare for the economy of the future. The assessment, valued at $2,400, is underwritten by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Advanced manufacturing continues to play a pivotal role in the Greater Grand Rapids economy. High tech manufacturing industries including printed circuit board manufacturing, machine shops, industrial machinery manufacturing, and other industries have seen positive job growth over the last decade. Meanwhile, these industries – and many others – are more highly concentrated in Greater Grand Rapids compared to the rest of the country.
*Source: Lightcast
Greater Grand Rapids continues to be a national leader in the technical capabilities our manufacturers bring to bear. Register for the Advanced Manufacturing Expo and see it for yourself.
Be sure to see our SVP Rob Llanes as he participates in the Driving Industry 4.0 Adoption panel discussion and shares his insights about the Industry.