(SME: Dearborn, Michigan) -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers recently announced it has entered into an agreement with Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA) to participate in the Berlin International Air Show in Berlin, May 27–June 1, 2008.

SME will assemble an international panel discussion on continuous improvement for aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains. The panelists will represent aerospace original equipment manufacturers and suppliers that will share best practices, benchmarking experiences, process improvements, and lean manufacturing philosophies. Adding value to production without adding cost to the customer is essential to a successful manufacturing operation, especially in Europe, where the euro value is high.

“Continuous improvement is increasingly important in the competitive global aerospace market,” says Mark C. Tomlinson, executive director and general manager of SME. “We are very pleased to connect the Berlin Air Show audience with manufacturing experts who can increase their knowledge and understanding of how to increase speed and quality through continuous improvement.”

“We are delighted to have the Society aboard, as they bring a very special expertise to this event,” says Art Paredes, HFUSA president and CEO. “Price and delivery pressures impact both North American and European aerospace suppliers and OEMs but with the dollar–euro exchange rates nearing $1.50, the Europeans are under greater pressure to manage costs. Continuous improvement will play a major role in addressing costs and may even give the Europeans an advantage in the future when the dollar strengthens.”

For more information, visit www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-press.pl?&&20080002&PR&&SME&.