The times are difficult — that is the general consensus within the manufacturing community these days. In fact, whether you are in Europe or on the other side of the Atlantic, it would most likely be the mood of pretty much every community.

Nevertheless, people’s frame of mind is somehow different than a year, two years ago. The majority of us are no longer as fearful to think of the future and what it will bring, the status quo seems to have been more or less accepted, and it is now time to decide how to get on with your business, what decisions to make to keep your head above the water while waiting for the economic climate to change.

In these difficult times it is infinitely more important to know which partners to choose for your business. More often than not, you really cannot afford to make even a small mistake. Selecting the wrong collaborator for a particular job might, in extreme circumstances, cost the company its life, and the manufacturers are very aware of it.

But how are you supposed to know where to go, who to speak to?
Well, there are a few ways of finding the right companies to work with. First of all, there are trade shows. Most of you take full advantage of them, both the big manufacturing shows, and the smaller, more specialised ones.

The team behind Commercial Micro Manufacturing knows it well, and that is why we are not only there accompanying you to the existing exhibitions around the world; we actually went a step further and decided to organise the shows ourselves.

The well-established MM Live UK, organised every year in October in Coventry, is a constant feature in most manufacturing companies’ diaries these days. This year, for the first time we also organised the US version of the show, MM Live USA, in Cincinnati, OH, and it’s already quite clear that it has been a success, and just what the industry needed.

The people you meet at these events, the relationships you make really are irreplaceable. The exhibitors, the visitors - every single one of them could be your potential future associate.

Aside from attending trade shows, there is always the magazine, of which the latest issue you are now reading. We do everything to bring you the knowledge, new technologies and products in the right format.

A part of the plan is this annual Yearbook issue. Unlike a regular issue of CMM, it doesn’t contain many articles or news from the industry. It does, however, have numerous listings of companies dealing with micro manufacturing, complete with their contact details and descriptions of what they do. In case you didn’t feel like counting, there close to 350 entries divided into two categories: Hardware and Technology, and Sub-Contract Services.

I truly believe that this is as comprehensive as it gets in this industry, and hope that you find it useful in your day-to-day activities. Do not hesitate to let me know whether the format works well for you, and what you think could be improved.

And the financial situation we are in? It is what it is. But it’s up to you to do as best as you can in these circumstances. Just remember, we are here to help.