September 1997 • Volume 7 • Number 9
A New Beginning
By Carl Stein, CPIM
Carl Stein, CPIM, spent more than 40 years as
a resource management professional. He joined APICS in 1957
and help found the Cincinnati Chapter #7 in January 1959.
Stein has served in various capacities within APICS on the
chapter, region and national level. They include co-chairman
of the 1970 Conference Committee and two terms as region 3
vice president and vice president, education
development—SIGs. He currently is a member of the 1998
Conference Committee.
Picture yourself in 1957, 40 years ago, when APICS was
formed. Your employer asks you to take on the responsibility
of developing a production control department to manage
manufacturing and inventories. Where do you start? There are
very few texts on the subject and fewer consultants in the
field.
The National Institute of Management, conducted by Niles Reinfield in Cleveland, was one business that offered training in this field. While attending one of Reinfield's seminars, I recognized the need for additional knowledge about production and inventory control (P&IC). It was there in 1957 that a group of practitioners got together to form APICS. I was not one of the original 30 members who started APICS, but I did recognize that association with APICS would provide the knowledge needed to develop a P&IC department at my company. I joined APICS in December 1957.
During 1958, I spent considerable time contacting people in similar situations in the Cincinnati area. Many practitioners were looking for solutions to problems, resulting in impromptu luncheon meetings to share information. I saw the need for a local chapter, but it was not easy getting 25 people to agree to start one. However, by December 1958 we had enough signed membership applications to apply for a charter. On January 20, 1959, charter # 7 was issued to the Cincinnati Chapter.
The struggle to build the chapter continued over the next several years. Money, of course, was a big factor. Annual dues of $7.50 did not provide sufficient funds to do more than have monthly meetings. Dinner meeting topics were plentiful, but qualified speakers were not. By 1964 our financial problems were resolved when the chapter co-sponsored a seminar with Xavier University. The seminar was a big success with more than 200 attendees. As a result, we had the financial cushion we needed to fund new educational programs. We were fortunate that people like Izzy Eisner and Ollie Wight participated as seminar speakers at no cost to the chapter. Today the chapter continues to grow (at present we have 850 members) and to provide superior educational opportunities to its members.
I clearly remember that in the early years it was necessary to keep trying new ideas to keep the membership interested. We were not satisfied with the status quo, and in 1961 we invited the Falls Cities Chapter (Louisville, Ky.) and the Indianapolis Chapter to participate in a joint tri-area meeting. The Falls Cities Chapter hosted in 1962 and Indianapolis followed in 1963. These meetings were very successful, providing the opportunity to network with practitioners from other areas and to discuss problems and solutions of mutual benefit.
Looking back, my 40-year association with APICS has
provided education and many friends. People compliment me on
my contributions to the society, but frankly, I have
gained more than I have contributed. My APICS
involvement, even after retirement, has provided stimulation
for mental growth. I stay active and contribute on the local
chapter board, I participate at the regional level and serve
as editor of the APICS SM SIG newsletter. I strongly suggest
that chapters take full advantage of their retired members.
These people have a wealth of knowledge, experience and time
to contribute. APICS needs the next wave of resource
managers to carry the torch and discover the next resource
management crusade. By doing so, they will keep our
companies on top of the competition.
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