A daylong conference centered on innovative product development in the automotive and discrete manufacturing sectors is coming to Ann Arbor next week.
“Innovation is an exciting and provocative topic, but the reality is that bringing moving innovations to market is full of risks — particularly in automotive and discrete manufacturing, where complex programs, moving pieces, and multiple teams demand discipline and excellent communication within the organization,” says Michel Delifer, co-director of the event and the sales director at Planisware, the company hosting the event along with Stage-Gate International.
Delifer says the forum will include networking sessions, presentations, and panel discussions, including case studies from Ford Motor Co. and Gulfstream Business Jet.
Speakers include Klaus Fink, director of new product development for Tracker Marine Group — Bass Pro Shops; Bart Huthwaite, founder of the Huthwaite Innovation Institute; Brad Barbera, founder and principal of Pi Innovation LLC and the editor-in-chief of the Product Development and Management Association’ magazine, Visions; and Richard Amori, director of Ford’s Research and Innovation Center, among others.
“We’ve joined up with Stage-Gate International (USA) to put together a program packed with best practices and lessons learned from real case studies that cover a variety of aspects on innovation management — from how to better innovate and motivate innovation teams, to how to reduce risks and increase efficiency in the product development cycle,” Delifer says.
The Aug. 6 event is free and will be held at the Michigan Union on the University of Michigan’s campus. To register, click here.
