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The outlook is positive for manufacturing production growth in the months and years ahead, according to reports including those from the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI). Every three months, MAPI provides a detailed look at the health of the domestic manufacturing sector based on its analysis of 27 major industries. Momentum in 2013… Read more »

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The Great Recession is over and the global economy is breathing a sigh of relief. Increased consumer spending is good news for the manufacturing sector, although the philosophy and overall structure of factories worldwide is shifting from one of mass production to one of lean production. This is not your father’s assembly line! More to… Read more »

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The quality of its training program directly impacts the productivity, competitiveness and success of an organization. Only when employees are fully trained and developed can a company meet its goals and achieve its full potential. Research has shown that for many job seekers, training is just as critical as compensation. People want to do their… Read more »

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Every year, the federal government authorizes billions of dollars in funding for manufacturing research and development, workforce initiatives, and expansion and growth plans. While it may be difficult to make time to look into these opportunities, doing so could make a significant difference in realizing your business goals heading into the New Year – and… Read more »

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Businesses tend to do a great job of monitoring stability in their customers – but pay less attention to the financial, legal, economic and environmental reliability of their suppliers. Consequences When Transparency Falls Short Increasing globalization and complexity of supply chain management have removed many manufacturers from the loop regarding critical financial, performance, legal and… Read more »

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If you’re interested in beginning or advancing your career in manufacturing, the job picture is promising, as 34 percent of global employers report difficulty filling open positions due to a shortage of qualified talent. Approximately 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide are vacant, according to the World Economic Forum. Among the areas of greatest vacancy are… Read more »

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There’s one more quarter left in 2013 – one more opportunity to ensure that your annual plan for maximum productivity and product value is on target. Now is the time to take a good, hard look at your value chain, maximize and reinforce its strong links, and repair the weak ones. Strengths & Weaknesses Your… Read more »

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There’s one more quarter left in 2013 – one more opportunity to ensure that your annual plan for maximum productivity and product value is on target. Now is the time to take a good, hard look at your value chain, maximize and reinforce its strong links, and repair the weak ones. Strengths & Weaknesses Your… Read more »

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Never underestimate the power of our nation’s mid-sized businesses – the 197,000 companies whose revenues range from $10 million to $1 billion, as defined by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM). In its 2Q 2013 Middle Market Indicator, NCMM reported that middle market companies could account for up to 70 percent of U.S…. Read more »

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When your company introduces a new policy, it generally produces positive results. But at first, it may be a hard thing for people to accept. And unless you ensure buy-in from every stakeholder, right from start, ensuring the effectiveness of a new policy may be a tough challenge. Some people thrive on change. Others, not… Read more »