Mixed Opinions on the Current Direction of the US Manufacturing Sector
A recent article for the Supply Chain Digest offers a snapshot of the current US manufacturing and distribution sector. While nobody will dispute that the sector has lost millions of jobs since its peak …
Research Study Suggests that Nearly Two Thirds of U.S. Workers Would Leave Their Current Job
With the U.S. near full employment, employers are finding that they need to work hard not just to pursue new hires, but also to retain their current staff. In a recent article published by …
Productivity and Cash Flow – What Metrics Are You Missing?
Whether you have a fully developed Six Sigma-based program in place or are simply keeping an eye on productivity, it’s important to be looking at metrics. Not only do they give an account of …
Tips for Reducing Manufacturing Employee Turnover
According to a recent study on entry level employees, which included positions at manufacturing and distribution plants, there are a number of contributing factors that can make or break a manufacturing and distribution company’s …
New Year’s Resolutions for Your Supply Chain
It’s that time again – time for New Year’s resolutions. Aside from the usual personal goals, maybe it’s time to make some resolutions for your supply chain. In Industry Week’s new article, “10 Supply …
4 IRS Hot Buttons: Defending Your Business Against Tax Audits
Everyone has at least one pet peeve. The IRS has many. Here are some items that the tax agency may target on a manufacturer’s 2014 tax return — and ways to help safeguard against an IRS audit. …
Hidden Messages in Your Financial Statements: Ratio Analysis and Industry Benchmarking Provide Added Insight
By themselves, financial statements provide limited insight into a manufacturer’s performance. To get a clearer picture of what’s really happening requires a relevant basis of comparison. Financial ratios and industry benchmarks provide management with the tools to identify strengths and weaknesses. …
Using an IC-DISC to Lower Taxes
Manufacturers and distributors who export products should consider the use of an interest charge domestic international sales corporation (IC-DISC) to reduce their tax burden. Here are some frequently asked questions about this strategy. …