Sheraton/Cleveland Airport, Cleveland, OH. Business executives who are questioning what's causing their purchasing costs to spike may find that traditional purchasing practices are at the root of the excess.  For those looking to significantly reduce both lead times and material costs of up to 50 percent, while simultaneously bolstering quality and on-time delivery rates, look no further than the AME Lean Purchasing workshop.  Designed to provide the real-world, effective tools needed to better the bottom line, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) presents Lean Purchasing in Cleveland, OH on Thursday, January 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, January 23, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  

Attendees will learn why accepting the lowest bids, sourcing from multiple suppliers for safety's sake or issuing blanket purchase orders doesn't pay in the end.  Hosted by Rebecca Morgan, president of the Great Lakes Region of AME (IN, MI, OH), and presented by international purchasing expert and author Michael Harding, AME's Lean Purchasing workshop provides the take-away techniques and tools for identifying and quantifying cost drivers in the supply chain and improving on-time delivery without expediting or increasing inventory levels.      

Attendance is limited; advance registration is highly recommended.  Location: Sheraton Cleveland Airport, 5300 Riverside Drive in Cleveland.  Cost: $845 for AME members; $995 for non-members (non-member cost includes a one-year AME membership with subscription to Target magazine.  Visit www.ame.org for more information on speakers, event logistics/cancellation policy.