Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that history is often made within our lifetime. Lean manufacturing is a movement established by Toyota Production Systems and is centered on clarifying what brings value by reducing everything else. The company, which transformed from a modest enterprise to the world

The implementation of a Six Sigma program in your manufacturing company can be the game-changer in your business. But what does it cost to make it a sustainable success? Understanding Six Sigma There has been plenty written about Six Sigma since it was introduced in 1986 by Bill Smith while worki

Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) is an innovative process that combines elements of the electronics industry with that of the high-precision printing industry. With FHE, manufacturers can create sensors that can be lighter in weight, conform to the curves of a human body or stretch across the sha

The process approach is a keystone feature of ISO 9001 – a globally recognized quality standard that benefits employees, managers, companies and, ultimately, the consumer. In the latest version, ISO 9001;2015, the “process approach” is highly emphasized for mangers to practice. We’ve touched on th

For many manufacturing businesses, the default approach in providing customer service is to respond to problems as they arise. While this reactive method may satisfy the customer for that moment, it fails to take a more proactive approach in handling customer service issues. Instead, imagine if yo

As manufacturing companies are becoming increasingly interconnected, the risks to their production systems, confidential data and supply chain are growing exponentially larger. Cybersecurity should be a concern for every manufacturer. Small and mid-sized companies are actually at greater risks to

A brand is more than just a product, logo, website, or tagline. A brand is all of these taken together to create an intangible effect amongst stakeholders (customers, prospects, suppliers, creditors, employees, government agencies, etc.). Building your company’s brand equity is often an integral p

The ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) – a worldwide federation of national standards bodies – recently updated its latest edition of ISO 9001, for quality management. It’s just the latest in a number of changes throughout the decades that the organization’s leaders call “ev

Small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMM) face a unique set of challenges when it comes to managing energy use. Expertise in energy-efficient operations may not exist in your organization and employees may already have a very full plate helping the company run smoothly. Managing energy may seem like

In thinking about how to prepare for an ISO quality audit, some people may have a kneejerk negative response. If “audit” makes you nervous, then focus on “quality,” because the end goal here is to ensure just that. Quality assurance is the crucial factor in the standardized system, ISO 9001.

As manufacturers, you’re no doubt always looking for cost saving ideas that can help grow your bottom line so you can grow your business. Rather than making large cuts to one or two departments, this goal is often best achieved through several small cost cutting efforts that ultimately add up to a

By far, the ISO 9001 quality system standard has had more impact in the world of quality improvement than any ANSI, ASTM or other standard - or even a complete quality system. It is even more relevant today than it was when it was first published almost 30 years ago. ISO 9001 has become more fl

Every year, U.S companies generate over 7 billion tons of solid industrial waste. In light of rising disposal costs, regulatory pressures, and changing consumer preferences, companies in the manufacturing industry have begun seeking new ways of reducing production wastes. Luckily, there are numero

Low productivity can be an insidious problem. For line workers, performing repetitive tasks day-to-day, everyday, year after year, can sometimes have a lulling effect. After all, it is human nature to get used to a certain way of doing things. Imagine the owner of a chair-making facility walking

When looking at reliable percentages for manufacturing sales training, it can be difficult to determine the legit ones from the made-up others. Success rates for salespeople, research stats from the buyer and even how much they talk to friends before purchases all have percentages assigned to them

Just how important is it to evolve company culture in today’s business environment? – It encompasses the top concerns corporate leaders face in retaining talent today, according to new Deloitte research. Combine economic improvements with the knowledge that most employees prefer more engagement at

When you’re the CEO in the manufacturing industry, you’re constantly short on time and have a completely full to-do list. If you’re working on a start-up or pioneering in a new industry, there can be a big menu of ideas. The following are helpful tips that business leaders can consider and apply t

HACCP is a food safety management system whose acronym stands for, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). It is an internationally recognized system for reducing the risks of safety hazards in food, including the analysis and control of biological, chemical and physical hazards from

The manufacturing industry is a powerful economic force – both nationally and globally. What can five leaders in the industry teach the rest of us about growth? The following lessons include industry-based, general and personal insights. Streamline the all-important supply chain via digitization

If you’re a small to mid-size manufacturer, you’re always looking for ways to identify new customers and increase sales. One, often overlooked, avenue is the export market. You may have thought about exporting, but never gave it much effort because of the perceived complexities involved in enterin