Design-2-Part Show Founder Celebrates 35 Years of Promoting U.S. Manufacturing at Greater N.Y. Show

PROSPECT, Conn.—August 26, 2010—One would have to search long and hard to find anyone as passionate about U.S. manufacturing as Ben Edwards, who, along with his wife, Marge, started a company in 1974 to help connect big-name product manufacturers with the domestic suppliers they needed to build better products. Today, 35 years after his first “Job Shop Capabilities and Custom Components Show” opened its doors to OEM engineers and buyers in Paramus, N.J., Mr. Edwards continues to promote and advocate on behalf of U.S. manufacturers as CEO of The Job Shop Company, producer of the Design-2-Part Shows. His vision, along with his three-and-a half decades of service to American manufacturing, will be celebrated on September 28 and 29, 2010, when the Greater New York Design-2-Part Show makes its debut at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The Greater New York Design-2-Part Show is one of 12 annual D2P Shows that are held in major manufacturing hubs throughout the United States. At the Design-2-Part Shows, “Made in America” is more than just lip service: The only companies that are allowed to exhibit are job shops and contract manufacturers that operate manufacturing facilities in the United States. Companies that don’t have manufacturing operations in the U.S. are not permitted to exhibit.

“We’ve got some of the strongest bases of manufacturing in the whole world, and our company is really fortunate to serve them,” said Ben Edwards in a recent interview. “I think manufacturing is going to increase here in this country, and I think we’re going to be a big part of that.”

As America’s longest-running design and contract manufacturing tradeshows, the Design-2-Part Shows provide OEM engineers and purchasers a strategic venue for U.S. sourcing of custom parts and components, as well as design, prototyping, and manufacturing services. Attendees can solve their manufacturing challenges by meeting face-to-face with manufacturing experts from local and national job shops. America’s finest contract manufacturing companies exhibit their design-through-manufacturing services, covering more than 300 product categories for the metals, plastics, rubber, and electronics industries.

“In my opinion, U.S. job shops are probably some of the most brilliant people and some of the hardest working people in the manufacturing industry today,” continued Edwards. “We have a base of people who live by their wits—that’s how they get jobs; that’s how they hold jobs. It’s not salesmanship; it’s basically proving to the OEMs that they can do it better, repeatedly.”

Design-2-Part Shows are working shows that enable attendees to make an immediate, hands-on comparison of quality, technology, price, and service. Visitors can see, touch, and compare actual parts and components that were produced for other manufacturers in their industry. Attendees are encouraged to bring sample parts and drawings, roll up their sleeves, and discover new ways to improve their processes.

At the Greater New York Design-2-Part Show, attendees will enjoy the convenience, comfort, and affordability of the recently renovated Meadowlands Exposition Center, located five miles outside of Manhattan and three miles from Giants Stadium. The center features 6,000 free parking spaces and five major hotels within walking distance. Show hours are 9:30-3:30 on Tuesday, September 28, and 9:30-3:00 on Wednesday, September 29.

For more information about the Design-2-Part Shows or to register for free show admission, please visit http://www.D2P.com.