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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
IMTS Boosts Manufacturing Technology Orders
November 16, 2012 8:30 am | Comments“In the 17 years that this data has been collected, there is only one other month that broke $600 million. Both of those were in months that reflected sales from IMTS, showing its strength as the largest manufacturing event in the Americas,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President.
Manufacturing Skills Gap Less Pervasive Than Thought
November 16, 2012 8:06 am | by The Boston Consulting Group | CommentsThe skills gap in U.S. manufacturing today is more limited than many people believe and is unlikely to prevent a projected resurgence in U.S. manufacturing by the end of this decade. But more severe shortages could develop, threatening to constrain that revival, unless aggressive steps are taken now, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Hidden Opportunities Within Your Plant, Part 2
November 14, 2012 8:26 am | by Todd Smith, FactoryTalk Metrics Product Manager, Rockwell Automation | CommentsIn some cases, disparate data points alone aren’t enough to compel a manufacturer to action, especially when operators can’t physically see the problem identified by the data. Rather, it’s combining data in a way that defines root causes that offers compelling enough evidence to drive actionable improvements.
Q&A: How To Handle Your Supply Chain When Natural Disasters Strike
November 14, 2012 8:23 am | CommentsIn this challenging environment, forward-looking insights combined with disciplined execution can help organizations ensure that their supply chain is healthy and robust, helping to assuage the impact of unexpected chaos, like the recent Hurricane Sandy that hit the east coast.
Hidden Opportunities Within Your Plant, Part 1
November 13, 2012 8:32 am | by Todd Smith, FactoryTalk Metrics Product Manager, Rockwell Automation | Comments“Does my plant need an overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) system?” That question is top of mind for many plant managers intent on measuring and improving productivity. OEE is a simple performance indicator to which all managers can relate. But using an OEE score alone to reduce costs is like using a credit score to reduce monthly expenses. A credit score doesn’t provide any guidance in terms of actual performance and root causes.
PwC: Industrial Manufacturing M&A Activity Rebounds
November 13, 2012 8:23 am | by PwC | CommentsThe resilience of the U.S. manufacturing sector and the slow, but stable overall economic growth, may have been attractive for strategic, long-term investors. Moreover, the value of North American targets far exceeded the value of targets from any other region, an indication of both the size and maturity of targets from this region and the fairly attractive nature of the North American manufacturing market.
The Ryt-Way To Control 2,500 SKUs
November 12, 2012 8:08 am | CommentsAs a leading contract packager of dry food products for hundreds of well-known brands, Ryt-way offers customers a wide variety of “market-smart” packaging options. But as it continued to expand its breadth of capabilities, Ryt-way’s Des Plaines, IL facility had a spare parts inventory system for its 900-plus pieces of equipment that was proving woefully inadequate.
Enabling The Next Generation Operator
November 9, 2012 8:22 am | by Bernard Cubizolles, PhD. GE Intelligent Platforms | CommentsOperators today have multiple hats and roles causing a need for higher efficiency and mobility for operating and controlling assets across the plant. They need real time monitoring and control on new generation tablets and smart phones, with new intelligent applications to help bring the right knowledge to operator action.
The Next Frontier of Competitive Wars in Supplier Management
November 8, 2012 5:31 pm | by Vineet Seth, Head of Product Management, SAP Global Business Incubator | CommentsIf you are responsible for managing the supply base within your company, in order to be very successful you must not only be a procurement expert and an operations whiz, but also an analytical data junkie. And in the face of ever-shortening product lifecycles, increased cost pressures and lean supply chains, you are continually faced with potential supply disruptions.
Upgrading The Components Side Of Material Transfer
November 8, 2012 5:24 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsThat “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” certainly rings true when considering industrial conveying systems. The components side of material transfer can be the lifeline of a manufacturer, ensuring that parts get safely and efficiently from point A to point B — saving workers strenuous and expensive labor — and going where forklifts and other material handling solutions might not be able to go.
Adapting For The “Chronologically Gifted” Worker
November 8, 2012 5:17 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsJosh Kerst, vice president of Humantech, debunks common myths about the older workers in the industry, and offers key changes that manufacturers can make to embrace a safe and productive older workforce. “The workforce is getting more chronologically gifted,” says Josh Kerst, vice president of Humantech, an ergonomics and workplace improvement company.
2012 IMPOvation Award Winners
November 8, 2012 4:48 pm | CommentsThe fourth annual IMPOvation awards tracked reader click activity to determine the most popular product technology in our daily e-newsletteer, IMPO Insider. These are your favorites. The top three companies showcased Double-X™ Pliers, oil-injected screw compressors, and a pedestal/magnetic mount work area light.
Evolving Robot Safety Standards
November 8, 2012 4:18 pm | by Eric Esson, National Sales & Marketing Manager, Frommelt Safety Products | CommentsSeveral aspects of industrial safety standards are changing and require constant monitoring and a bit of common sense to keep current. Technological advances and alternative guarding methods are being devised every day, and companies should be doing everything within their power to eliminate the opportunity. A great place to start is by conducting thorough Risk Assessments and referencing current standards and regulations.
Q & A With Bernie Anger, GE Intelligent Platforms
November 8, 2012 4:08 pm | by Mike Schmidt. Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsAs automation technology has developed over the years, workers have been forced to adapt and refine the necessary skills to utilize and maintain various systems. According to Bernie Anger, General Manager Control and Communication System for GE Intelligent Platforms, there is a shortage of individuals with the expertise necessary to accomplish these tasks and usher in the future of automation.
Adhesives: A Hidden Powerhouse
November 8, 2012 4:01 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsAdhesives have revolutionized the auto industry by replacing mechanical fasteners, lowering a car’s weight, and improving fuel efficiency. The aircraft manufacturing industry has seen similar results, and adhesives today join up to 30 percent of all components in modern aircraft. For many, adhesives may not be the most noticeable part of industrial manufacturing, but they are certainly among the most important.
