| It has been hectic at the offices of Micro Manufacturing magazine. The first issue of the magazine caused quite a stir pan-industrially and across the world. Our role through the magazine, the sister website micromanu.com, and the up-coming MM Live 2008 exhibition is to provide a forum for industry practitioners to network together, and also to find supplier companies that will become their qualified technology and service providers as they embark upon — or continue — their micro manufacturing projects.
The key to the vibrancy of the response to our launch owes much to the focus of our products. I remember back in September 2007, when we were researching the launch of the Micro Manufacturing portfolio, I was in the west coast United States attending another in a series of “micro” conferences.
At this stage I was becoming a little frustrated. This was one in a long line of events that I had been to attempting to secure information and contacts that would be useful as we prepared to action our plans. The fact that I had travelled half way around the world for this one probably informed my mood, as once again, I was bombarded by information relating to “nano” technology, and alluding to how important this would be to industry in the future.
There is no doubting that this is the case, but I was interested in the here and now. We were not about to — and have never — launched products about what-ifs. We provide information of immediate practical use to industry. What are today’s opportunities, what technologies exist to advance design and manufacturing programmes, who are the key technology providers? Nano is important. Indeed, our MM products refer to micro manufacturing and “commercial nano applications”. But a plethora of magazines circle the subject of nano research and potential future possibilities. We are only interested in the nano arena when these research-led initiatives make their way into the commercial arena.
So anyway, there I was, red eyes and a feeling in the pit of my stomach that is a unique consequence of 12 hours on a plane and the culinary delights therein. Another session ended, and the ubiquitous call for questions came from the chair. I was on my feet and voiced my disappointment that despite the apparent focus of the event, it was almost entirely dominated by the “future of nano”. Was I alone in wanting information about what was possible in the micro world now?
Was I alone in wanting information about what was possible in the micro world now?
I did not win any popularity contests with the organisers, but I was encouraged by the mumbles of agreement from my fellow attendees, and more than a little surprised by the fact that I was approached by countless of them in the next break who voiced similar frustrations.
It was here that the seed of our idea took root. There was a demand for real practical micro manufacturing information.
Since then we have obviously begun to service this niche. We have received tens of thousands of subscribers to our printed and electronic products from the Far East, Europe, and the United States. We are truly grateful to all the individuals, associations, and centres of excellence that have helped us access the people and information we need to provide you with cutting-edge editorial.
I am especially pleased to announce that we are a partner sponsor at the forthcoming MANCEF events in Hong Kong and Mexico, June and August 2008 respectively. Details of both can be found in this magazine.
It is vital for us to remain closely allied to all the key institutions in the micro manufacturing field, and MANCEF represents one of the key bodies in this area in the world.
Chris Young
Editor | 
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