CHICAGO (March 7, 2001) - To compete in today's global economy, smart manufacturers must reduce costs and improve productivity. Representatives from W.W. Grainger Inc. and the Chicago Manufacturing Center (CMC) will discuss how companies can implement lean manufacturing principles and create an effective e-business program at A Formula for Manufacturing Success. The breakfast forum is open to all manufacturing executives and takes place Wednesday, April 4, 2001, from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 100 Grainger Parkway in Lake Forest, off of Route 60 (Townline Rd.). The cost is $40.00.

Steve Borre, regional vice president of sales and operations, and Tom Condon, vice president for e-business, will represent Grainger. Demetria Giannisis, president and CEO of CMC; George Alukal, CMC's vice president of quality and process improvement; and John Panfil, CMC's vice president of corporate business development, will provide information on how lean manufacturing and e-business can help manufacturers compete more effectively in a global marketplace.

"Lean manufacturing places a focus on streamlining processes, increasing productivity and eliminating waste," says Giannisis. "In a competitive economy, implementing lean principles and a developing strong e-business program are valuable ways for manufacturers to maximize their efforts."

The seminar is part of CMC's "Manufacturing Counts" educational series, which focuses on advancing productivity, people, technology, growth and investment in manufacturing.

For more information and to register, contact Heather Meyers at 1-312-817-0392 or visit http://www.cmcusa.org/.

W.W. Grainger Inc. is the leading North American provider of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies and related information to businesses and institutions. Grainger shares are traded on the New York and Chicago stock exchanges. For more information, visit Grainger online at http://www.grainger.com.

CMC provides solutions for small and mid-sized manufacturers in the six-county Chicago area in e-business, lean manufacturing, technology services, growth management and environmental services. CMC is an affiliate of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a national network dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of small and mid-sized manufacturers. Public and private sector funding from corporations and foundations, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs and the City of Chicago allows CMC to negotiate its fees, making consulting available to a wide range of companies. For more information about CMC, call 1-866-2EMERGE or visit http://www.cmcusa.org.

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