Achieving Growth and Recovery Through “Monozukuri”
Margaret Baxter, OESA

On Dec. 8, 2011, OESA, the Japan External Trade Organization, Japan Auto Parts Industries Association and the Japan Business Society of Detroit will host “Japan’s Automotive Industry:  Achieving Recovery and Growth Through Monozukuri,” a seminar at the Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Mich. 

The Great East Japan Earthquake spurred an unprecedented recovery effort from the Japanese automotive and manufacturing communities.  Through intensive collaboration and the shared mindset of Monozukuri – the spirit and quest for manufacturing excellence – Japanese automotive suppliers and OEMs managed to quickly recover production in the face of crisis.

Attendees will hear perspectives from Japanese OEMs and parts suppliers on how they were affected by the March disaster, how crisis and recovery management played out both in Japan and the United States, and on the future prospects for growth and opportunity.

Speakers include Nampachi Hayashi, senior technical executive, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, Teruo Takahashi, vice president, vehicle engineering, Nissan Technical Center N.A., Dave Thomas, plant manager, Keihin IPT Mfg., and Hiromi Ikehata, president, Toyoda Gosei North America Corporation.

The theme of Monozukuri will be presented as a catalyst to foster innovation in manufacturing technologies, sustain a talented workforce, and encourage collaboration, interaction and cooperation between American and Japanese manufacturers.  The meeting will begin over lunch, and the afternoon session will include simultaneous translation.  A networking session will take place immediately following the seminar at 5 p.m.

Full meeting details and registration information is available on the OESA website http://www.oesa.org.  For registration information, contact Felece Hickman at 248.952.6401 ext. 237 or fhickman@oesa.org.  For program information, contact Kevin Kalb at JETRO Chicago at 312.832.6023 or Kevin_Kalb@jetro.go.jp.