Articles
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
The NEMA Premium Labeling Scheme
September 4, 2012 8:06 am | by Rob Boteler, Nidec Motor Corporation | CommentsThe original NEMA Premium labeling scheme was designed to simplify the identification and application of NEMA Premium efficient motors by end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Since its inception, the NEMA Premium mark has gained wide acceptance with motor buyers, utilities, and other specifying organizations.
An Efficient Approach To Instrument Calibration
September 1, 2012 8:07 am | by Don Brady, Technical Manager, GSK Global Manufacturing Supply IT | CommentsFor too long, manual calibration methods have been accepted as necessary in pharmaceutical plants. No one questions the need to calibrate process instruments where accuracy and dependability are essential for quality and safety and to satisfy regulatory requirements. But we’ve been going about calibration in a traditional way that’s a lot of work and prone to error.
Streamlining The Innovation Lifecycle
August 29, 2012 8:09 am | by Ken Rapp, Managing Director, Analytical, Development, Quality and Manufacturing, Accelrys | CommentsFor businesses that rely on scientific innovation to differentiate themselves, being first to market with a novel, more effective or attractively priced product is the Holy Grail. But as the lifecycle that transforms a good idea into a viable product grows ever more complex, the very factors critical to success are suffering.
Lights Out: Are You Ready For Lighting Legislation?
August 28, 2012 8:09 am | CommentsThe next phase of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) energy-efficiency lighting legislation went into effect on July 14, 2012 and requires all impacted lighting to be manufactured to be more energy-efficient. Most recently, the DOE has granted a deadline extension for some lighting categories until July 14, 2014, leaving some businesses uncertain on how to best move forward in adopting energy efficient lighting.
Equipment Lease Finance Industry Confidence Neutral In August
August 27, 2012 8:06 am | by Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation | CommentsThe August 2012 MCI-EFI reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $628B equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 50.2, down from the July index of 51.5, reflecting ongoing industry concerns over economic, regulatory, and political uncertainty.
To Maintain Or Not To Maintain Your ERP System
August 24, 2012 8:40 am | by Mike Schmidt, Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsIt’s no secret that advancements in ERP technology and ever-evolving market trends are leading some manufacturers to review the overall effectiveness of the systems they employ today. The age of the system, flexibility of the technology, and the system’s ability to integrate with other critical business systems are all key considerations.
Using Supplier Score Cards To Improve Profitability
August 22, 2012 8:06 am | by Shawn Dennison, CPA, CMA, Vice President of Finance, Cerro Wire | CommentsI have learned that each customer makes their purchasing decisions differently. Some companies delegate purchasing decisions to the local branch, while others centralize their purchasing. Whether the decision was made locally or from a central office, each buyer still had its own way of evaluating the purchase decision. Some buyers valued the lowest price, some valued relationship, and so on.
2012 Design-2-Part Survey Reveals Outsourcing Trends
August 21, 2012 8:47 am | by Design-2-Part | CommentsAs American manufacturing appears to have steadied from a 2011 growth spurt, contract manufacturing continues a trend of positive growth. In the third D2P Manufacturing Trends Survey, 42 percent of U.S. OEMs indicated that they expect to have more outsourcing projects in the next year than they had in the past twelve months.
Precise Product Movement
August 20, 2012 8:47 am | by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | CommentsSince 1973, companies have turned to Hartland, WI-based Dorner Manufacturing for improved efficiency and productivity when it comes to the design, manufacture, and distribution of conveyance systems. Dorner recently developed a precise product movement solution, Precision Move, for its 2200 and 3200 series belt conveyors, which are used in manufacturing and packaging processes in many industrial applications.
Indispensable Solutions & Education As A Service
August 15, 2012 8:42 am | by Lily Lei, Global Marketing Manager of Chemicals, Process Systems Business Unit, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics | CommentsAs any on-site manager can tell you, proper cleaning is vital to the safe and successful operational performance of any industrial or institutional facility.
Q&A: Risky Business
August 14, 2012 8:06 am | by ParenteBeard | CommentsYou see a lot of foreign hacking attempts. I definitely think there is a risk if you are a manufacturer.
ISM: U.S. Manufacturing Hits Rough Patch
August 10, 2012 8:47 am | by Mike Schmidt. Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | Comments“We’re looking at a softness and a slowdown in demand for manufacturing products, both domestically and internationally,” says Brad Holcomb.
Selecting the Right Grease For Extreme Temperature Applications
August 10, 2012 8:40 am | by Lucas Kerley, Senior Lubrication Engineer, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company | CommentsMaintenance professionals can benefit from learning key tips that can help them choose the right grease to protect their equipment over the long haul.
The Right Track
August 8, 2012 12:08 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsA little effort goes a long way when it comes to managing both inventory and assets. Do you know where your money is, and what it’s doing for you?
Seeing The Forest And The Trees
August 8, 2012 11:53 am | by Jack Levis, Director of Process Management, UPS | CommentsUsing predictive and prescriptive business analytics to improve supply chain operations.
