Manufacturing Archives - Supply Chain Game Changer™

How to Optimize Your Factory for Industry 4.0!

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Industry 4.0 – Smart Manufacturing of the Future! (Infographic)

Optimize your Factory article originally published by, and permission to publish here provided by, Adam Robinson at https://cerasis.com.

Believe it or not, Industry 4.0 — the latest specialization for modern factories and manufacturing plants — does factor into design and factory layout. That is because digitization, or the current movement to connect and bring all equipment into modern times, absolutely influences design.

In essence, that is the heart of Industry 4.0, a complete synergy between operations, equipment, properties and, of course, the people who spend their time there. If 3.0 was about automation and boosting efficiency, this generation is about injecting the human touch back into the work environment, and that means accommodating such things from a design standpoint.

What is MRO and Why is it Important?

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Indirect Procurement – It’s Time to Rise and Shine!

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In the world of Procurement and Operations one of the phrases that you will frequently come across is “MRO”.

But many people throw around the term without truly understanding what it means, and how important it truly is for the ongoing, and successful, operation of any company.

If your production line stops dead because you are out of stock of an MRO item you will immediately develop an understanding and appreciation for this area.

So let’s try and provide some clarification.

What is MRO? And why is it important?

Manufacturing Toolbox for Next Level Productivity

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The Industry 4.0 Ecosystem!

Manufacturing Toolbox article and permission to publish here provided by Grant Kamperschroer at straightnorth.com.

The story of the manufacturing industry has been one of progress. Few manufacturers continue to produce the same products as they did in their infancy years. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers must continue to evolve their products to meet the demands of the marketplace. But meeting consumer demand is only half the battle — the other half is staying up to speed with industry advancements.

New technology brings a host of changes that manufacturers must recognize. For example, increasing dependence on automation leads to the need for more skilled workers who understand these advanced systems. If workers cannot adapt successfully, organizations could find themselves struggling to keep up with the rest of the industry.

To remain competitive in this dynamic environment, organizations should have several tools at their disposal that go beyond the physical equipment and technology innovations used in their facilities.

How to Improve Industrial Process Efficiencies!

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10 Signs You Should Reboot Your Lean Program!

Industrial process efficiencies article and permission to publish here provided by Adam Smith.

Industrial efficiency is defined as a manufacturer’s ability to produce a product at the lowest possible cost that will allow them to make a profit. To calculate the industrial efficiency of internal processes, the cost of production per unit must be compared to the unit output of that product. Ideally, industrial processes should have a lower cost per unit of output to be deemed efficient in any manufacturing plant.

Efficiency can also be improved by limiting the number of wasted resources that are used to produce a specific product.

Read on to understand how industrial processes can be made more efficient.

How to Compare Metal Fabricators!

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Strategic Supplier Relationship Management – Do’s and Don’ts

Metal Fabricators article written for Supply Chain Game Changer by, and permission to publish here provided by, Eada Hudes.

Are you in a dilemma in deciding which company to choose for your next big project for steel equipment? There may be lots of options springing up as you open the Internet, and they are all pretty much impressive enough to confuse you.

Also, there may be companies who have offered you their services for the same thing with a really tempting quote! This may create confusion in your mind as to whether to choose them (or not!).

When your contract is a really big one and influential enough, you just can’t take risks anywhere. Even when going for a metal fabricator company, it’s better to be very sure about your choice. (We know the contract may be worth a really big amount).

Product Management KPIs!

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What is Product (or Master) Data Management?

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Product Management KPIs article and permission to publish here provided by Raanan Cohen at bringg.com .

KPIs, KPIs, KPIs, — there’s been a lot of talk about KPIs lately. To be honest, people have been talking about KPIs for a long time, especially around marketing, sales, and some R&D (though the latest mostly speak about KPIs but don’t measure it well enough IMO — but that’s for another article).

The difference today, I think, is that now everyone is speaking about it. I guess COVID19 put the importance of KPIsinto perspective — people are working remotely and it’s harder to understand what is being done.

So now, whether you measure the individual, the team or the company, how well you are doing should be measured in objective KPIs.

6 Tips to Maintain Quality in Aerospace Manufacturing!

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A Tale of Two Companies: Different Quality Management Beliefs!

Aerospace manufacturing article and permission to publish here provided by Claire Glassman.

While the aerospace industry may employ the same equipment and techniques as other manufacturing operations in producing parts for spacecraft and aircraft, it requires a significantly higher level of quality standards.

In fact, companies that want to become part of the industry must possess several certifications first. Getting certified will attest to the stringent quality management in place at each level of their manufacturing processes.

5 Manufacturing Technology Trends!

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Industry 4.0 – Smart Manufacturing of the Future! (Infographic)

Manufacturing technology article originally published by, and permission to publish here provided by, Adam Robinson at https://cerasis.com.

This post concludes our two part series on the “Changing Face of Manufacturing.” In this series, we first wrote about how manufacturers are now looking at total landed costs when deciding where they will place manufacturing facilities. Increasingly, those companies, who offshored to China and other countries in the 80s and 90s, are now taking a hard look at reshoring or bringing those facilities back to American shores.

However, as noted in a recent report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the reshoring of facilities, doesn’t necessarily mean new jobs. As we have said in the past, we think that is OK.

Today we will address these 5 sweeping manufacturing technology trends which look to disrupt and change how manufacturing companies execute current processes.

A Checklist for a Manufacturing Company Internal Audit!

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Cyber Security: The Weakest Link is Your Biggest Risk!

Internal audit article and permission to publish here provided by Angela at Reciprocity Labs.

Today, manufacturing firms face increasing threats from cybercriminals targeting weaknesses in SCADA (supervisory, control, and data acquisition) systems.

Regulatory bodies recognize the data security challenges that manufacturers face, and have initiated various requirements and standards of operations meant to safeguard data. Non-compliant firms risk huge fines or even jail terms for the responsible actors.

To survive in today’s competitive global manufacturing industry, companies need to incorporate various security compliance measures in their operations. Regulatory compliance requirements should be built into a company’s internal control systems.

7 Ways to Overcome the Challenges of Relocating Your Manufacturing Business!

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The Factory Relocation Guide!

Relocating your manufacturing business article and permission to publish here provided by Cristina Par.

When it comes to creating a relocation strategy for your manufacturing business, you have more to worry about than happy employees. For manufacturers, it’s about covering the raw cost of materials, labor, shipping, taxes, understanding your profit margins, and much more.

Manufacturers who decide to move to a new space also need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of their operations’ location before making a decision. For example, a building 20 minutes away from the city, while cheaper, could thin your margins due to high shipping costs.

Relocation questions may keep you up at night, but sometimes moving is necessary.

Here are 7 ways you can overcome relocation challenges on the business and employee side.

Clear Span Buildings Buying and Leasing Guide!

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What’s the Difference Between a Warehouse and a Distribution Center?

Clear span buildings article and permission to publish here provided by Bailey Merton.

What are clear span buildings?

These are large structures designed to maximize space for companies, showrooms, and other companies that need a high volume of space. These structures are required to meet certain standards, and specifically, those in the UK have to meet BS6399 standards.

Most clear span buildings are made using a variety of materials with steel frames and fabric covers being the most common. However, high-quality and durable PVC covers are also used by some companies.

If your business needs tall structures with a width of up to 60 meters, then clear span buildings will be a perfect choice. The options available are either to buy or lease from a reputable temporary structure solutions provider.

So, how do you go about this?

How Technology is Transforming the Food and Beverage Industry!

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How Farmers Can Boost Food Production! (Infographic)

Food and Beverage industry article and permission to publish here provided by Cindy Cummings.

A recent report shared by Oracle reveals that about 76 percent of restaurant owners say that using robots for food quality checking is appealing, according to an article on Brookings. Technology has had a significant impact on every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate to how we drive.

And now tech innovations are changing how food is grown, processed, and bought. However, to enjoy the benefits technology offers, the food sector should use it appropriately.

Automation ROI, Tools and Productivity!

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How to Optimize Your Factory for Industry 4.0!

Automation ROI article and permission to publish here provided by Grant Kamperschroer at straightnorth.com.

Automation has many benefits. Among the advantages are these: It frees up employees from performing manual or repetitive tasks and allows them to focus on tasks that require more thinking and analysis. It increases productivity and the quality of products. It speeds up the time to do the job, facilitating business growth.

Are there drawbacks to automation? Yes, of course, the main one being financial. Automation and robotic equipment and the software required to run them are pricey.

However, investing in automation results in a payback after a certain amount of time has passed, and this occurs at the point at which increased productivity and sale revenue outweigh the combined capital and labor costs.

Best Ways to Optimize Factory Floor Operations!

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Manufacturing Toolbox for Next Level Productivity

Factory Floor Operations article and permission to publish here provided by Carol Trehearn.

Factory floors are diverse and vary hugely in size. Most factories have unique outputs that take an idea, make it, and get it out to consumers. It is on the factory floor where several operations take place to ensure the efficient production of goods.

Many people work on the factory floor, and there are many steps on any given production line; this being so, a high level of efficiency is needed in order to ensure that the production line runs smoothly. Managers are always looking for ways to optimize operations, prevent delays, and ensure their staff are well trained.

This blog will give those in charge of factory floor operations some tips to maximize their workflow, help reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

The Expected Growth of Manufacturing Technology Investments!

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4 Challenges in Starting and Sustaining a SIOP (S&OP) Business Process!

Manufacturing article written for Supply Chain Game Changer by Russ Davidson at Software Connect.

Manufacturing technology helps power forward the industry into areas it has never been before. It can also help cover every section of your manufacturing process that you could even think of.

This includes being able to accurately calculate the real manufacturing cost of our products (and meet customer cost reduction requirements), by measuring things like failures in production, repairs, products return from customers, scrap of products and components, and late deliveries of products to customers.

Manufacturing technology can also assist you with key issues that come about in your quality control process.

So are there any perceived downsides to a company investing in manufacturing technology? Should there be any hesitation to more technology investments?