PowerPlex 2008 User Conference Features Manufacturing Survey by Leading Publication Managing ...( GRAND RAPIDS Mich. May 21 /- Plex...),Health

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Plexus Systems, Inc. played host to nearly 300 guests at its PowerPlex 2008 User conference today and showcased a prominent speaker who provided a poignant report on the state of U.S. manufacturing.

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David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation, was keynote speaker at PowerPlex 2008, hosted at the JW Marriott in Downtown Grand Rapids. His remarks included the findings of a survey conducted by Thomas Publishing, the magazine's parent company.

More than 2,000 manufacturing representatives responded to the U.S. Industrial Competitiveness Survey, which found these results:
-- Seventy percent said they are "very concerned" about industry's ability

to compete in the global market and its future prospects.

-- Nearly 80 percent said government should take an active role in

strengthening manufacturing.

-- On whether international trade agreements have helped or hurt U.S.

competitiveness, nearly half of the respondents said such agreements

have had a mixed effect. Yet, 80 percent said government can do more to

"level the playing field" with competing nations such as China, India

and Korea.

"The manufacturing community is poised for change," Brousell said. "Moreover, manufacturers appear to be open-minded about the kinds of change they would find acceptable in basic healthcare, education and regulation."

In addition to discussing the competitiveness poll results, Brousell addressed steps manufacturers can take now to deal with many of their business issues. A concept called Progressive Manufacturing recommends that manufacturers rethink business models and practices and apply advanced technology to them to gain new competitive advantages.

The survey fi
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