Manufacturing

As the AXIA PR professionals keep a watchful eye on the global and U.S. manufacturing industries during current economic challenges, one key message continues to float to the top: History shows us that companies that retain and improve their core capabilities reap greater successes when the “good times” came back. By revisiting past product investments and reusing existing designs, technology and knowledge, manufacturers can gain efficiencies. Likewise, the AXIA team remains steadfast in its commitment to crafting and executing solid public relations programs the best possible way —by combining yesterday’s traditional PR tools with today’s emerging tactics to deliver tomorrow’s successful results…and beyond!

Manufacturing Industry Profile

Manufacturing accounts for approximately 11.5 percent of U.S. economic activity. According to a report by the Institute of Supply Management, six of the 18 manufacturing industries reporting growth in July 2009 include: nonmetallic mineral products; paper products; printing and related support activities; electrical equipment, appliances and components; transportation equipment; and chemical products. The 10 industries reporting contraction in July 2009 include: machinery; plastics and rubber products; wood products; textile mills; miscellaneous manufacturing; furniture and related products; computer and electronic products; food, beverage and tobacco products; fabricated metal products; and primary metals.

One key class is companies engaged in manufacturing electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus, such as magnetic resonance imaging equipment, medical ultrasound equipment, pacemakers, hearing aids, electrocardiographs and electromedical endoscopic equipment. Large firms that have been created through merger and acquisition activity increasingly populate the medical device industry. Smaller firms may develop the innovative products and combine them with technology, but the larger firms have the necessary leverage to compete for overseas manufacturing space.

What’s On the Line for Manufacturers?

TThe manufacturing industry has been a mainstay of economies across the globe for centuries. As the marketplace experiences cyclical changes, manufacturers must be vigilant about publicizing breaking news and reporting innovations to positively influence stakeholders. AXIA’s public relations experts know how to keep manufacturers at the forefront of the industry by developing effective news stories that get results. Some of the latest technology industry trends include:

• In the medical equipment industry, communications and life sciences are converging to produce some of the most advanced apparatus and equipment.
• Due to the high year-end inventory levels in 2008, manufacturers will consider re-balancing supply and demand with a focus on strategic network optimization and multi-echelon inventory optimization tools. In addition, some companies will expand price and trade promotion opportunities.
• Companies will realize that, given the challenging economic environment, effectively managing manufacturing assets can be a significant competitive weapon. Manufacturers will place a renewed premium on production knowledge, which affects the higher utilization of worldwide manufacturing assets, greater flexibility in responding to demand, and notable new challenges in managing the execution.
• Supply chain organizations will scrutinize expenditure budgets even more, and new investments will focus on cost savings, requiring shorter payback periods.

AXIA Delivers Results

Each day, the AXIA PR team hits the ground running. Manufacturing brand awareness by creating news opportunities that tout your latest innovations. AXIA experts partner with manufacturing and distribution businesses to tell their stories.

With the Super Bowl coming to town, the AXIA professionals knew the timing was perfect to build brand awareness for Modis, the flagship brand of the Fortune 1000 company MPS Group.

DeCase in point: Turfgrass America, a leading national provider of green grass to golf courses, and creator of MiniVerde, the new putting surface at THE PLAYERS Championship, the PGA Tour’s flagship event played on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla. Despite being technically superior, MiniVerde’s direct competitor’s consistently outsold them. Team AXIA enhanced awareness and created interest in MiniVerde among greenskeepers, golf course superintendents and golf fans surrounding the 2007 TPC event. With a small budget and a tight timeframe, AXIA obtained numerous on-air mentions by NBC sports announcers as well as 11 story placements in print, on the Web and on TV. The advertising equivalency was approximately 31 times the initial investment!

So, if your supply isn’t up to snuff, give AXIA a call today. We will meet your demands by tomorrow.