WESTEC, a West Coast manufacturing event produced by SME, returns to California amidst an encouraging environment that has seen a measurable increase in exports, production, overall employment growth and recent legislation designed to enhance the state's manufacturing sector. This year's event will be held October 15 - 17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Show hours for October 15 - 16 will be from 9 AM to 5 PM and October 17 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
"WESTEC is where collaboration starts - a place to network, form relationships and build partnerships," said a spokesperson. "WESTEC is where technology takes center stage, putting new developments, integration and solutions right into attendees hands. WESTEC features the latest technologies, from software and cutting tools to multi-tasking machines. Meet experts who can help apply cutting-edge equipment, make sense of lean methods and manufacture with composites, titanium or other advanced materials.
"Highlights of this year's event include:
- Take a Plant Tour, presented by some of the West Coast's most progressive companies. Gain invaluable insight from industry and technical experts in their field.
- Reserve a seat in the Learning Lounge, a casual, collaborative learning environment hosted by industry experts.
- Visit the WESTEC Theater during show hours to see new product presentations. The best new products and technologies will be showcased.
- Visit the exhibition floor to see the latest in machine tools and technologies.
- Visitors who get their Technology Passport stamped at participating exhibitors will be entered into daily drawings.
- The Additive Manufacturing Resource Center will display printed parts from various additive processes including stereolithography, selective laser sintering and fused deposition modeling.
- Medical Manufacturing Innovations Series - Visit the MMI Center to see applications, meet medical and manufacturing leaders and hear more at the MMI Learning Lab. Informal presentations from those responsible for the showcased applications, technologies and more will be made at the event and streamed live."
Promising Manufacturing Climate
According to the latest UCLA Anderson Forecast, California is one of the bright spots in the U.S. economic picture. For the 12 months ending April 2013, California had the second highest employment growth in the nation. The forecast also reported that the economy's strength was built within the technology and knowledge-laden sectors, which accounted for more than half the job growth in the state. California also showed strong growth of total direct exports of goods, which now account for 8.1% of GDP. Manufactured computers and electronics account for 30% of that total.
The manufacturing industry will also benefit from the implementation of recently passed legislation. Earlier this month, California signed into law a future sales tax exemption on manufacturing equipment. This brings the state in line with the 48 other states that exempt manufacturing equipment from sales and use tax. Recent anecdotal news has also been encouraging. Several manufacturers, such as Boeing, BYD and Ecologic Brands, all opened or announced increased manufacturing programs or facilities within the state.
"We are greatly encouraged by recent developments in California, which has seen an uptick in manufacturing and production," said Christine Longroy, WESTEC Event Manager. "The economic climate is one of the reasons why we decided to move WESTEC up from March 2014 to October 2013."
For more information contact:
WESTEC
800-733-4763
www.westeconline.com
SME
One SME Dr.
P.O. Box 930
Dearborn, MI 48121
www.sme.org
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-741-1151