KALAMAZOO ? Kalamazoo Valley Community College?s M-TEC, in partnership with Southwest Michigan First, will host a workgroup next week that is charged with solving problems related to engineering and software design issues, costs, and portability as they relate to the tool and die industry.
The Software Feasibility Workgroup will meet April 28 at 3:30 p.m. at M-TEC, located at 7107 Elm Valley Drive in Kalamazoo. The Southwest Michigan Regional Tool & Die Initiative was launched in January by Southwest Michigan First and Accu-Mold in response to the economic challenges, including off-shore outsourcing, that have impacted this industry.
?The purpose of this initiative is to bring groups of tool and die industry companies into a collaborative relationship. Some 25 percent of all the tool and die employment in the nation is in Michigan. Through collaborative efforts, companies not only survive but thrive,? said M-TEC?s Cindy Buckley.
Buckley said the Software Workgroup has already met once, but is seeking anyone involved in the software management sector in the tool and die industry to attend.
?Software is so expensive we?re exploring the concept of creating a software library,? she said. ?Customers often force the tool and die shops to use software a company is not currently using, which often means a significant investment in both the software and related training. A software library may mitigate that problem.?
Anyone wishing to attend the Software Workgroup needs to register with Buckley either by phone at (269) 353-1253 or by email at [email protected].
