Keynotes Kick Things Off

On the agenda: keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions for stamping and tool and die technology, exhibits, and a networking reception for more than 200 attendees and sponsors.

On Tuesday morning, January 29, the conference gets rolling with a keynote presentation, Avoiding Legal Risks in Labor and Employment Relationships. Speaker Zan Blue, a partner with the Nashville law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP, advises companies in structuring relationships with workers and clients, whether as employment, leased-employee or independent-contractor arrangements. His work aims to help companies minimize legal risks and provide a positive work environment. He also advises and represents employers in union campaigns, contract negotiations and with respect to unfair labor-practice allegations and corporate campaigns. On the company’s website, he offers this quote:

“The most important management skill for avoiding legal risks in labor and employment relationships is listening. Careful listening will help management avoid 80 percent or more of the legal problems encountered with employees. But we are all too often in too much of a hurry to take the time.”

Following this management-focused presentation, steel executive Tim Quinn, chief commercial officer with Monarch Steel Co. (founded in 1934 and headquartered in Cleveland, OH), will help attendees deal with the increased complexity of purchasing steel—a job becoming increasingly complex due to price volatility.

“Buyers must be familiar with variables such as raw-material prices, supply options, capacity utilization rates, overall North American demand and trade law,” Quinn says. “This presentation covers not only what is happening in the steel industry, but why, and how we arrived here.”

This information-packed event includes a 2-hr. reception during which attendees can peruse the technology exhibits of numerous tabletop sponsors.

Continuing the materials-related theme, following Quinn’s presentation are general sessions on selecting sheet and coil material (ferrous and nonferrous), and best practices for stamping high-strength steels and aluminum alloys, with a focus on the use of servo presses, hot forming and state-of-the-art lubricants. Speaker Bill Frahm, president of 4M Partners, Rochester Hills, MI, stresses:

“New practices must incorporate material science, the physics of forming and experience. Best practices offer a foundation for success and adaptability to evolving requirements. This presentation will introduce you to the basics of evaluating your current demands and preparing the procedures and processes to accomplish your best for forming success.”

This information-packed day concludes with a 2-hr. reception during which attendees can peruse the technology exhibits of numerous tabletop sponsors, all of which sets the table for a technology-laden Day Two.

Breakout Tracks Highlight Day Two

The second day of the conference kicks off with a keynote presentation, Best Contracting Practices for Manufacturing, and Minefields to Avoid. Presenter Dan Sharkey, a partner in the law firm of Brooks, Willins, Sharkey & Turko PLLC, concentrates his practice on business contracts and litigation, with an emphasis on supply-chain issues. Sharkey will share a list of best practices for contracts, resolution for manufacturers, and dos and don’ts for maximum leverage in negotiating contracts.

Following this presentation, attendees will select among concurrent track sessions (Stamping and Tool & Die) that run from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

To learn more and to register to attend, visit www.pma.org/mstd-conference. MF

Technologies: Materials, Stamping Presses

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