Blogs
Software: Only As Useful As The Users Are Trained
March 28, 2012 11:27 am | by Abbigail Kriebs, Associate Editor, Industrial Distribution | CommentsAll too often, business fall into a trap with new technologies. They are impressed with what it promises that it can do, but never take the time to fully learn and implement these promised wonders of productivity. They may not have planned adequate employee training on the new program, or maybe they didn’t give employees enough time to adjust to the new software before expecting to see significant ROI results.
Leaving A Legacy
March 26, 2012 9:26 am | by Krystal Gabert, Editor, Food Manufacturing | CommentsBut often overlooked in the midst of these attacks are the food companies and owners investing in ways to make food safer and Americans healthier.
Go Forth And Simplify
March 22, 2012 12:04 pm | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsThe axiom, “simpler is better,” is a timeless and universal idea. The Lean methodology improves business by identifying and attacking waste in its many forms. As we use the Lean methodology to eliminate waste we eliminate unnecessary steps, reduce effort, minimize work, and keep things visible and obvious. Likewise, Six Sigma strives to minimize variation. Things become much easier to control and less prone to vary when they are simple.
A Generation That Knows Jobs But Missed Tesla
March 22, 2012 9:23 am | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | CommentsSo many innovators and pioneers go unrecognized and even uncompensated. Some even slip through the cracks amongst the engineering community.
Slow Motion Sandwich
March 20, 2012 1:18 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsAll I know is that bottlenecks and bad attitudes exist everywhere. Whether it’s on an automotive production line or over bins of lettuce and banana peppers, there is always an opportunity to succeed just as much as there is one to fail. Do you know which members of your team are choosing which outcome for your business? If not, you may want to take a fresh look before you find out the hard way.
Talk Is Cheap
March 19, 2012 12:14 pm | by Mike Schmidt, Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsCloud computing has become more widely adopted and complex, mobile devices of all types now populate the workplace, and companies continue to work to leverage technology to meet their ever-changing business needs. But there’s a downside -- namely new and increasing security threats and vulnerabilities. However, while many businesses recognize the value of protecting themselves from potentially disastrous security incidents, they fall short in their attempts to do so.
Budgeting Food Safety
March 8, 2012 9:17 am | by Lindsey Coblentz, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | CommentsThe U.S. food safety budget has remained a contentious issue in 2012 for both regulatory agencies as well as food companies.
Where Gardentrucking And ‘Geek Culture’ Meet
March 5, 2012 2:03 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsSo-called “geek culture” is becoming mainstream, slowly but surely, but there's still too much resistance if we want to inspire swaths of young engineers.
The New Face Of The Company
March 1, 2012 12:10 pm | by Anna Wells, Exective Editor, Industrial Distribution | CommentsI was intrigued by the results of a recent report put out by The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) and Lopez Research on how B2B marketers were utilizing social media. Essentially, the survey cited a community very much aware of the positive effects of web-specific strategies for growth, but not yet investing significant resources in these tools.
Hey, Hey We’re The Best
February 29, 2012 2:44 pm | by Amy Lawrence, Features Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsWhether it's a made-for-TV band from the 60s or your favorite widget supplier, what makes something the best?
The Great Middle Class Squeeze
February 24, 2012 1:10 pm | by Mike Collins, Author, Saving American Manufacturing | CommentsBack in the early sixties, when I got out of high school, there were a lot of good “family wage jobs.” What happened to them?
J&J: On Your Face, Not In It
February 15, 2012 12:21 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsJohnson and Johnson is becoming notorious for a long string of recalls and poor production practices, which leaves me wondering: How have they managed to avoid any genuine outcry?
Silicon Valley’s Low Down, Dirty Shame
February 2, 2012 12:12 pm | by David Mantey, Editor, Product Design & Development | CommentsAs cogs, we pride ourselves upon how our hard work betters the machine. We hope to stand out in the company, so when the time comes available for advancement, be it by recommendation, brute force, or somewhere in between, we are recognized by our current company… or a competitor that’s willing to pay a little more for our services. Even then, the thought of poaching is fleeting as most of us must be proactive if we seek forward advancement.
Where The Buck Stops
January 31, 2012 11:51 am | by Krystal Gabert, Editor, Food Manufacturing | CommentsOver the next several months, food manufacturers should prepare for retailers to make changes to requirements regarding food safety. Though most large food processors likely have adequate food safety mechanisms in place, providing thoroughly detailed documentation to customers may prove the biggest challenge. For processors behind the curve, the increased liability placed on retailers will amplify pressure to secure food protection mechanisms.
Always Connected
January 30, 2012 8:44 am | by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | CommentsThe 2012 Consumer Electronics Show stands as a testament to the innovators and product designers behind some of the most forward-looking devices.
Learning The Apple Way
January 26, 2012 11:05 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsTablet ownership is at an all-time-high — thanks to Apple — and now the company wants to make our education iPad based. Where does it end?
Google Is Getting Too Personal
January 23, 2012 9:22 am | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | CommentsThough it may feel like Google is peaking in your window, we have to realize that they are already standing in the house, except, we let them in.
FSMA — One Year Later
January 19, 2012 12:34 pm | by Lindsey Coblentz, Associate Editor, Food Manfuacturing | CommentsLast January, President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the largest overhaul of the U.S. food safety system in decades. As the FDA moves forward, it is important for the food industry to be aware of the agency’s progress, assistance that will be provided to companies, and the challenges that face both the regulators and the companies affected by the new law.
Happy Refurbished Year!
January 17, 2012 12:11 pm | by Jonnatha Mayberry, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | CommentsIt’s difficult to pass up a good deal. Like moths to a flame, consumers flock to clearance racks, scour thrift stores and dig through rummage sales. There’s no doubt that refurbishment has the potential to become even more popular in 2012. The benefits of refurbished equipment can stretch far beyond cost savings, providing manufacturers with a solution that offers many perks and presents few drawbacks.
To Be Or To Do
January 6, 2012 11:25 am | by Michael P. Collins, Author, Saving American Manufacturing | CommentsJohn Boyd was the ultimate individualist. He was a natural leader that had little patience with people who disagreed with him. He was blunt, direct and a super-nonconformist. He got into a lot of trouble because he was a “doer.” He was always saved from the bureaucracy, because he was always right. He was fanatical in his work habits and often worked all night. It was known as his “To Be or To Do” speech.
