Aberdeen's Manufacturing in the 21st Century Summit Goes Beyond Lean

Manufacturing Thought Leaders to Convene in Boston for a Two-Day Networking Summit to Identify Strategies, and Reveal How Best-in-Class Companies Must Compete Once Everybody Is "Lean and Global"


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - November 27, 2007) - The leading industry event for manufacturers is just around the corner; the "Manufacturing in the 21st Century" presented by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), will take place December 4-5 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, in Boston, Massachusetts. Aberdeen has partnered with Control Engineering, IET and Manufacturing Business Technology to present a conference that promises to be the preeminent best practice and networking event for Plant Managers, GMs, and Manufacturing executives seeking strategies for a more productive manufacturing operation.

Aberdeen will bring worldwide manufacturers together with industry thought leaders to share the strategies that improve manufacturing performance and profitability. Summit presenters will share practical experiences and provide actionable recommendations and advice for their peers. "This event will bring together some of the best manufacturing minds in the world, and provide an opportunity for networking and discussion surrounding the most critical issues facing the manufacturing community today," states Bharat Nair, SVP and Research Director, Global Manufacturing Practice at Aberdeen.

Leading industry speakers include manufacturing visionaries:

--  Richard Kunst, Vice President of Continuous Improvement, La-Z-Boy
--  Michael Treacy, Best Selling Author "The Discipline of Market Leaders"
--  Marcel Beraud, SVP and COO, Gate Gourmet
--  Mariela Castano, Continuous Improvement Manager, Nestle Canada
--  Dr. Terence Barnhart, Director of Strategic Management, Pfizer
--  Bill Avelino, Sr. Director of Global MES, Timken
--  Hein Winkelaar, Operations & TPM Manager, PURAC Biochem, Netherlands
--  Bill Rogers, CIO, Goss International
--  Juan Carlos Sol, Program Manager, Corporate Manufacturing
    Initiatives, SigmaQ
--  Marty Slagle, Corporate Quality and Process Control, Hormel
--  Wayne Loomer, Cytyc Corp.
    

Attendees will include CIOs, Plant Managers, VPs of Engineering, GMs, COOs of Manufacturing Co., and VPs of Manufacturing seeking actionable recommendations for a more efficient manufacturing organization. As the manufacturing environment is characterized by global change, this executive summit brings together industry thought leaders and manufacturing companies to share strategies for an improved manufacturing environment.

Participants of this two-day event will experience tangible benefits such as:

1. Identify global strategies for differentiation once all manufacturers are lean & global!

2. Collect actionable recommendations from Best-in-Class enterprises, to immediately enhance performance.

3. Collaborate with other executives addressing critical components of manufacturing.

4. Network with peers and counterparts in related industries.

5. Collect valuable research findings to better equip your manufacturing organization.

"The Manufacturing in the 21st Century Summit is a tremendous opportunity for Aberdeen to bring global executives together for valuable discussions and actionable recommendations surrounding manufacturing strategies," states Bharat Nair. "Attending companies face issues due to a changing global manufacturing environment and our on-site discussions with senior executives will help shape the role manufacturing organizations play in the 21st Century."

During the proceedings, Aberdeen will present five companies with Manufacturing Achievement Awards for excellence demonstrated in 5 categories: Performance Excellence, Process Excellence, Business Evolution, Innovation in Technology and Executive Stewardship. The award winners were selected solely on Aberdeen's research of the past 12 months.

Summit sponsors include: Plexus Systems, Shoplogix, Invensys, SlipStream, Hertzler Systems, Sparta Systems, Rockwell Automation, Acsis, Tandberg and IBS.

For registration and event information, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/events/live/MFG07

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

© 2007 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
260 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3112
Telephone: (617) 723-7890
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Bharat Nair Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5322 Bharat.Nair@aberdeen.com