We have heard a lot about the shortage of skilled labor. We know that job readiness and training are among the biggest concerns. Greater emphasis on STEM classes and technical training is needed for jobs across many industries. But we have to also recognize that there are some misconceptions about the industry as a …
Nowadays, consumers want their products designed specifically for them. They can buy a new car as if they’re ordering a sandwich: red exterior, with a side of leather seats, hold the sunroof. This isn’t just a segment of the population or a trend that will diminish. It has become an expectation.
A lot of manufacturers …
If you are a tenant of an older warehouse or manufacturing facility, chances are you could have unused space that isn’t found in newer buildings. A mezzanine can be a great way to increase square footage without having to relocate or build out. They are fairly flexible in the shape they are arranged in …
Changing and improving your manufacturing culture has to come from the top to be lasting and effective. Here are some new ways to connect workers. New ways of communication can go a long way.
Staff need to feel valued to be engaged. Have new employees meet with executive management upon their hire. Start a recognition …
When it comes to worker retention, employers need to know what is most important to their employees. Surveys of hourly warehouse workers have concluded that the number one employment issue is pay. Aside from layoffs, the top reason workers left their jobs was because they found higher paying jobs elsewhere.
According to the survey, job …
Welders create the world around us. National Welding Month is the perfect opportunity to spotlight this growing profession.
Welders are in short supply in today’s economy, but it hasn’t always been that way. The decline began in the 1980s, when there became a reduced need for welders. However, with the increase in domestic manufacturing, there …
Remember how the barcode revolutionized the way people do business and measure inventory? That was back in the 1970s, but what’s next? Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is the future for manufacturers. RFID is helping manufacturers and retailers more efficiently collect data. Although RFID has been around since the 1990s, it has steadily gained …
Distributors can be reluctant to change the way they figure out pricing. There are many factors that determine pricing structure, but keeping it simple may not be the best way to maximize profits. Pricing should be about the value of products, not the cost.
A good place to start is with product category, region, and …
How committed are you to continuous improvement across multiple plants? Do you have plants that perform better than others, even though they produce the same products? Here are the things you need to begin this process:
Clear vision of how you would like things to function
Outlined path to achieving excellence
Comprehensive plan of communications
Thorough training program
Deep …
Companies of all sizes in a variety of industries are using data to give their businesses a boost. There are a number of ways new data can give fresh insight into your company’s operations.
What do you know about your suppliers? Are they still meeting the demands of other manufacturers or are they losing clients? …
