In celebration of National Engineers Week 2004 (Feb. 22-28), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) has announced the release of new information resources that manufacturers can use to understand global manufacturing challenges, trends and opportunities. "The SME 2004 Global Manufacturing Fact Booklet" is a compilation of existing research on the challenges and opportunities for manufacturers in today's global arena. It cites expert opinions about why there are fewer manufacturing jobs in the U.S. today, what the opportunities are in the global economy, and the differences between the real and perceived threats. SME's new website, www.sme.org/globablcompetition, includes SME information and resources organized to help manufacturers address the challenges they and their organizations face today, one challenge at a time. The website links the competitive issues faced by manufacturers directly with the SME resources available to help them meet those challenges. Finally, the SME 2004 Manufacturing Forum and Annual Meeting offers a special management forum, "Making It in America: Rising Up to the Global Manufacturing Challenge," to be held June 9, during the SME 2004 Annual Meeting (June 9-13) at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati in Ohio.

For more information, visit www.sme.org/join , call (800) 733-4763 or e-mail communications@sme.org .