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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Efficiency, Useful Power & ROI
June 5, 2008 1:07 pm | by Eric Ingersoll, Chairman, General Compression | CommentsRecently, as fuel prices have shot skyward and demonstrated considerable volatility, and as electricity grids have shown signs of strain, energy efficiency— or sometimes fuel efficiency— has received increasingly serious consideration in boardrooms and boiler rooms alike.
Q & A With Mr. John B. Nofsinger, Material Handling Industry Of America
June 5, 2008 1:06 pm | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } Mr.
Sound Planning Strategy For Industrial Systems
June 5, 2008 1:06 pm | by Robb Dussault, Automation and Control Services Manager, Schneider Electric | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } Creating a sound planning strategy for industrial systems is a lot like financial planning.
An Education In Adhesives
May 9, 2008 6:22 am | CommentsSuppliers of adhesives and sealants are oftentimes not taking the time and energy required to examine user applications in detail, or they lack the expertise. In the end, they are often prescribing the incorrect compound for the customer.
The New Face Of Job Shops
May 9, 2008 6:21 am | by Mike Collins | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } "Just being a good supplier and a dependable business partner is no longer enough.
Creating A Value Concept
May 9, 2008 6:21 am | by Anna Wells , Editor, IMPO | CommentsRefusing to be edged out by offshore competition, Morey Corp. invests in a new facility and sophisticated automation technology. A value-added approach has triggered an expanded view for Morey , taking its operations from manufacturing into overall project management.
Idea Surfing: Fighting The Fad
April 21, 2008 10:05 am | by Mike Collins | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } To ensure a longer product life cycle, and to avoid the "fad" label, developers of new ideas and strategies need to consider tailoring the strategy to the type and size of the manufacturer In his 35 years in manufacturing, Mike Collins has helped companies make the transition from being defenders-focused on process change and cost-cutting-to prospectors-focused on finding new markets and profitable growth.
Arc Flash Safety Starts With Electrical Distribution Maintenance
April 21, 2008 9:47 am | by Joseph Weigel, Product Manager, Square D Services, Schneider Electric | CommentsThe electricity that flows through the electrical distribution system of any industrial facility is the lifeblood of the entire operation. Production processes, environmental controls and security, lighting and safety systems all require a clean, reliable, and continuously available flow of power.
Going Lean? Don't Forget IT
April 18, 2008 12:03 pm | by Diskeeper Corporation | CommentsIn today’s manufacturing universe, cost-effectiveness is a constant battle. Every element from raw goods to worker efficiency, eliminating waste of time and material, streamlining processes, and even evaluating and improving supervisory expertise, is undergoing microscopic and expert examination so that companies can remain functional and profitable.
Design, Operate, Maintain
April 18, 2008 11:47 am | by Anna Wells , Editor | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } How DOM can help improve communication between design and MRO teams Asset management can make or break an operation, but how can it remain manageable when systems become more multi-tiered and complex? IFS, a global enterprise applications company, is no stranger to the ERP (enterprise resource planning) market—and, says the company, more and more emphasis must be placed on implementing greater communication between the various entities of a facility—namely those designing it during the contract phase, and those working on the MRO side.
Asset Tracking Optimized With RFID
April 18, 2008 11:33 am | CommentsTracking indirect material is a challenge many industries face today. With the need for controlled environments on the rise, many companies wonder which process is best for gaining control and retaining a level of standardization.
Itron Fights Static With Humidity
April 18, 2008 11:23 am | Comments“Static electricity, and the potential for defects due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) is one of the biggest manufacturing headaches a board manufacturer can face,” says Itron’s Paul Anderson.
Q & A With Dr. J Patrick Kennedy, OSIsoft
April 18, 2008 10:52 am | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } "We have built a company that is known for high levels of support; most of the questions we get on our support line are still answered by the person taking the call.
The E-Z Way Out
April 18, 2008 10:38 am | by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director | Commentsh4 { font: bold 14px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000; } .byline { font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 4px; } .caption { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 4px; } .sup { position: relative; bottom: 2px; font-size: smaller;" } An enthusiastic embrace of Lean Manufacturing initiatives has kept golf cart manufacturer E-Z-GO on par for success E-Z-GO golf car headquarters in Augusta, GA.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA): A Silver Bullet or Just Plain Coveralls
April 15, 2008 1:17 pm | CommentsSuccessful RCA initiatives have common threads for accomplishment. The management maintains an active role in the RCA effort. They take the responsibility to set up the support systems that will encourage the employees to go after and solve chronic issues that affect the bottom line. (See figure 1) Figure 1 - Click to expand Executive management decides the company will incorporate an RCA initiative and provide funding to create the environment needed for success.
