Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will the rebirth of the rail industry in the U.S. But in the last few days I participated in what I believe to be the beginning of re-establishing the supply base that will support next generation rail across America.
On February 8th in Sacramento, CA and on February 14th in Chicago, IL, MEP working with our local affiliates—California Manufacturing Technology Consultants (CMTC) and Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) in California and Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center in Chicago—hosted two Next Generation Supply Chain Connectivity Forums. The forums were organized to support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s goal of 100% U.S. made rail equipment for next generation rail opportunities. They brought together large multi-national rail equipment manufacturers with interested U.S. manufacturers considering opportunities in the rail industry supply chain.
It was fascinating to see how eager everyone was to make a connection! Combined, the two forums were attended by over 300 representatives from more than 200 companies vying to learn about the business opportunities in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail and to meet with the eight to twelve railcar and locomotive Original Equipment Manufacturers that sent up to 5 representatives each to attend.
Folks, this was networking on steroids! In fact, DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari and Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo, who spoke at the forum on February 14 (Valentine’s Day), commented that it was like hosting business-oriented “speed dating!” The key to making it all work and to making sure every supplier attending had the opportunity to meet with at least two major rail equipment manufacturers was the one-on-one sessions. Each company had an opportunity to sign up for at least two 10-minute meet and connect appointments after the general sessions. To signal when an appointment was over and the next one started we used a chime in California and a cowbell in Chicago! How cool is that!
I can’t tell you exactly how the rail industry supply chain formed back in the early 1800’s when the first steam locomotive was built in the U.S., but I do know somehow it started when people got together around a business opportunity. That is what I think we, MEP together with help from our colleagues at the Federal Railroad Administration, were able to accomplish at these two initial forums. And this is just the beginning; a spark that I humbly hope will be part of a profound economic recovery for America.
Very inspiring. If we all can come together, I see a USA where travel from city to city is primarily done by High Speed Passenger Rail and electric vehicles are used around town once you get to the destination city.
Not long ago, while I was traveling from Britain through France and Spain I had the pleasure of riding their trains; the short haul commuters and high speed Eurorail. The British and European models offer up a workable mix of opportunities for travel from distant suburbs to major cities, and are used by all manner of travellers including surpringly young school children. Many of these railroads are directly linked to urban metro systems allowing workers to travel significant distances to workplaces deep in London, Paris, and Barcelona. That the United States lags so far behind Europe and Asia in this transport field is a travesty. Like many long distance train travellers, I will rue the day Amtrak has to give way to local ‘people movers’ but if commuter rail is to thrive that may have to be the first step in building interconnected systems.
That said, before these networking professionals go too far in patting themselves on the back, I’d like to hear of or read about venture capitalists who are willing to provide the equity capital needed to connect Denver with Colorado Springs, or Dallas – Fort worth with Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Such interacting transport grids could move a significant number of people and take pressure off the hydrocarbon energy industry. But the bitter pill is equity capitalism will not make those kinds of investments, and Federal engagement becomes ever more timorous in the face of the anti-government extremism coming from the political right. What makes good economic and social sense is continuing to fade like water in the desert. These railroad networkers need to spend at least some time looking for ways to advance their case politically. The Federal Government has a role here that it is not discharging, and that’s a shame!
Hierarchy models need to change to be cost effective. Material manufacturing front lines, pattern makers, forgers, casters, machinists, grinders, polishers, receiving departments, assemblers. programmers, verifiers are the individuals who need to be educated and empowered. Designers should not be allowed to design unless they have traveled the path of understanding the system, hands on. That would be a huge cost savings in design to manufacturing. There are so many jobs being held where individuals cannot make decisions in the moment because they do not know, have not experienced and will say they have to ask the expert. We wonder why things take so long and lead times continue to increase along with price of capacity. My question is: Why do we keep doing the same things and think we will get different results? Why do we continue to spend while our check books are far into the negatives, hoping we will find our way out by spending more. We must adress the elephant in the room. Lets start with fear itself. These forums must get more robust and open in their dialog. Rail must happen BUT it must break even at the very least. Rail cannot, CANNOT lose money. And guess what…it is not the machinist that should suffer the brunt of the cost cutting, nor the material provider, or any front line personnel. Those who cannot perform the hands on skill sets need to learn them, experience them and then support the education of the front lines so we can truly cut waste. Those who claim to be overqualified need to get back in the trenches and learn the basics before they can be considered overqualified. WE need solutions for the possibilities we are more than able to achieve globally! We need manufacturing in our country to insure our freedom and safety. WE need leadership that believes in us, empowers us and not leadership that wants to be our life long father who knows best and enjoys thinking he has the answers for us as individudals. Lets get back to work. And yes it is hard. But if you are an American, it is understood that doing things well does not come easy. If you are an American and want to stamp that product “Made in the USA” then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back to reality. WE have a job to do and a country to serve. WE have a work community and a neighborhood that needs each of us to master a skill set, become an expert that is willing to understand continuous improvement and yes, we need to go home physically and mentally tired for a while because those men in uniform did not give it up for you to be lazy in front of media propoganda and programs that poison your mind. Do not dull your head with ______! Exercise your mind and your physical self to shine as Americans and lets show the world what we can accomplish! GET to school! Practice and teach your skill sets and open yourself up to learn and challenge what you are being taught! Teachers provide information and resources. REAL students challenge it and create something new!