'Manufacturing for Next-
Generation Growth Engines'

IMS Vision Forum 2006 attracts 200 international and Korean experts from industry, research, education and government sectors

IMS Vision Forum 2006 wrapped up a three-day session under the theme, "Direction of Innovation in Manufacturing for the Next-Generation Growth Engines,"in Seoul on April 12-14.
About 200 international and Korean leaders and decision makers from industry, research, education and government participated in IMS Vision Forum 2006, organized by IMS (Intelligent Manufacturing System) International, with an aid of Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, and partially sponsored by Korea's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE). Also present were Lee Tae-yong, director general of Capital Goods Industries Bureau at MOCIE, IMS International Steering Committee Chairman Dr. Rim Kwan, Dr. Kim Key-hyup, president of Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), 60 foreigners and former minister of science and technology Kim Jin-hyun, ex-minister of science and technology Kim Shi-jung, Hangyang University Vice President Lee Ri-hyung and KHNP Chairman Hur Nam.
IMS is a multinational program for cooperation in the development of manufacturing technologies and systems. Companies and research institutions from 32 countries in seven regions, including Australia, the EU, Norway, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and the United States participate in IMS, proposed by Japan in 1989.
In his congratulatory speech, MOCIE Capital Goods Industrial Director General Lee said now that the manufacturing industry constitutes a driving force of national competitiveness and competition paradigm shifts from production capability of each individual corporation to that of a group of corporations, innovative efforts should be made to cope with the changing manufacturing environment. He stressed a strategy for innovating product development systems and raising productivity. With regards to this, he introduced the "2015 Industrial Development Vision and Strategy"the Korean government has implemented to reform the manufacturing industry. The concept calls for securing source technologies of core materials through development of parts and materials and spread of collaboration models among corporations by grafting IT industry into the existing manufacturing sector.
Dr. Song Ji-oh, executive & general manager, of Mechatronics & Manufacturing Technology Centre at Samsung Electronics Co., delivered his keynote speech about Sub-theme one: Next Generation Economic Growth Engines and Manufacturing. He analyzed that the axis of growth engines comes side by side with that of manufacturing, so the basics of growth engine of each era lie in manufacturing. He stressed that good manufacturing methods of advanced countries could be successful only when working toward the application of their own unique corporate culture. He also noted that the strong point of past manufacturing could change into a weak point, so manufacturing needs to a speed of change corresponding to the times said Dr. Song, adding that Samsung Electronics is responding very sensibly to the speed.
He offered that the manufacturing industry should be evolve to ensure industrial development through next-generation growth engines, and issues like lower share of manufacturing, understating of corporate culture of another companies, outsourcing management across the globe, application of effective production methods of advanced corporations and division of development and manufacturing should be taken into account in order to develop manufacturing industry.
In his keynote speech about Sub-theme II: "Key Technology for Manufacturing Innovation and Environmental Sustainability,"Michiharu Nakamura, executive vice president & executive officer at Hitachi Ltd., introduced Japan's science and technology development plans. He noted that international IMS programs have contributed to creating next-generation knowledge manufacturing industries by playing as a bridge between technology and research through collaboration among industry, campus and research communities designed to cope with common issues facing manufacturing sector of advanced countries. He described the programs as a strong platform that could purse open-ended innovation.
In his speech about Sub-theme III: "Global Collaborative Environment for Manufacturing Innovation; R&D Human Resources and Infrastructures,"Dr. Rosalie A. Zobel, director of Components and Systems, Information Society and Media DG at the European Commission, touched on Europe's cooperative R&D and the lessons earned from 20 year-old experiences. He stressed the need for global collaboration programs, saying that international IMS programs proved to be efficient. Concerning the future direction of international IMS programs, Dr. Zobel spoke about reconsideration of R&D themes,; education other than R&D and standardization, ;reconsideration of operation of project and network programs,; and open mindset to new ideas and new member countries'entry. nw

About 200 international and Korean leaders and decision makers from industry, research, education and government participate in IMS Vision Forum 2006.