The period around October 1958 was a unique time in the history of America. Europe and substantial parts of Asia were still recovering from World War II and just beginning to lay the foundation for today’s advanced manufacturing behemoth.

America was the manufacturing nucleus of the world. More automobiles, aircraft, appliances, and electrical and electronic products were built here than anywhere. We were in the enviable position of supplying the world with many of these products.

America’s manufacturers faced the same challenges then as they do today: How do we assemble it faster, better and more economically? ASSEMBLY Magazine was launched in October 1958 to answer those very questions for America’s engineers.

Fast-forward to today. U.S. manufacturers face one of their most formidable tests in our history. In China, India and elsewhere, cheap labor combined with growing technical expertise has drastically altered the business landscape. Although cheap foreign labor has always been a challenge for U.S. manufacturers, advancing technical capability adds a new dimension.

How will we compete in this new world? Will we continue to be the engine that sustains the “American Dream?” We at ASSEMBLY believe we will succeed, as we always have, by continuing to be the innovation center of the world. But this new age will place a premium on superior information. Keeping up with the latest technology and innovations in product assembly will be a necessity if we are to succeed.

ASSEMBLY Magazine has played a vital role in providing superior information for the 50 years leading up to today, and I believe our role will be more critical in the next 50 years.

Are we ready? You bet we are. We are already developing superior content to help engineers make their assembly operations competitive weapons in the world marketplace. You’ll continue to find valuable information on the printed pages of ASSEMBLY magazine as you have for the past 50 years.

But moving forward, we will also deliver our content on multiple platforms: Our Web site, specialty micro sites, webinars, e-newsletters, ASSEMBLY TV, digital editions and the LINX search engine. You will be able to access this superior information via your computer, cell phone, iPod or whatever is the latest hardware innovation to hit town.

We see our role as nothing less than critical to the future of American manufacturers and we intend to meet this challenge head on. We are excited and optimistic about the future of American manufacturing, and you can depend on ASSEMBLY to be right in the middle of it.

As we celebrate our 50th year in business this month, we look forward to the next 50 years of serving engineers in manufacturing. I can’t predict how our market landscape will look in 2057 but ASSEMBLY will be there, meeting our committed mission to provide superior content. I look forward to being there for the ride, and I hope you will join me along the way.