Manufacturing Insights
Welcome to Manufacturing Insights, a blog dedicated to providing valuable information and insights into the dynamic world of manufacturing.
At the heart of every successful manufacturing venture lies the ability to make informed decisions. Manufacturing insights serve as the compass guiding us through business complexities. They offer us the vantage point to anticipate market shifts, optimize operations, and strategize for the future.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans: An under-utilized solution to a challenging dilemma
For profitable companies with 15 or more employees and more than $1MM in revenue, in any industry other than professional services (i.e. physician practices, law firms, etc.), exploring the utilization of an ESOP for you and your company could be a worthwhile exercise.
The Path to Automation: Guidance for Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers
Investing in automation isn’t just about acquiring new technology—it’s about integrating automation into your overall business strategy and culture. This requires buy-in from leadership, clear communication with employees, and a commitment to ongoing training and upskilling. Automation isn’t about replacing workers; it’s about empowering t
The Maintenance Paradigm: Unlocking Capacity and Consistency
Preventative (PM) and Predictive (PdM) maintenance can tell an organization about the current health of its equipment. This is done by keeping accurate records of maintenance actions and repairs over the equipment’s lifetime. Empower your team with the skills and knowledge to implement Lean methods and processes that generate zero waste while ensuring customer satisfaction.
What Your Employees Wished You Knew – DiSC® Styles in Leadership
Understanding DiSC styles is not merely a checkbox on the path to effective leadership—it’s a fundamental cornerstone. Leaders who invest the time and effort to comprehend the diverse behavioral styles within their team unlock a wealth of benefits, from enhanced communication and team dynamics to increased productivity and engagement.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency: A Key to Boosting Your Bottom Line
Even if your operation appears to be running smoothly, implementing a proactive maintenance plan is essential. Regularly monitoring temperatures on large motors and gearboxes can help identify potential issues before they escalate, ensuring optimal efficiency and longevity of your equipment.
A Guide to Being an Effective Trainer
Becoming an effective on-the-job trainer requires a combination of expertise, communication skills, patience, adaptability, and leadership qualities. By cultivating these attributes and approaches, trainers can make a lasting impact on the development and success of their trainees, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and effectiveness of the organization.
Cultivating Leadership for Organizational Growth in Manufacturing
An organization’s growth trajectory is intimately tied to its people. Prioritize not just hiring individuals with technical prowess but also those you employ who embody leadership potential. Look beyond immediate requirements and identify individuals capable of growth and adaptability into leadership roles.
Cold Weather Safety Mitigation
For Workplace Safety Managers, it’s critical to underscore the potential risks associated with cold weather. With temperatures dropping below freezing (32°F) in many portions of the U.S., attention to safety protocols becomes imperative, particularly for workers exposed to cold environments. The manufacturing workplace is not immune to winter-related hazards such as slips, trips, and falls.
Compensation Trends and Strategies in Manufacturing
For smaller manufacturers, the absence of internal compensation experts can pose challenges. This void often results in missed opportunities and potential pitfalls in navigating the complex regulatory landscape. Addressing common compensation regulatory challenges, particularly for small and mid-sized organizations, becomes imperative for ensuring compliance.
Navigating Operational Excellence: Understanding the Synergy of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma
While Lean exemplifies speed and waste reduction, Six Sigma tackles quality and consistency. Together, they form a formidable alliance, creating a comprehensive framework for continuous improvement.
Servant Leadership Produces Powerful Results Through Humble Application
Servant leadership is about changing the focus from market share and revenue growth to supporting those who support the customer, a concept known as the Service Profit Chain. Servant leadership is a proven leadership strategy that provides a high yield to the bottom line
Charting the Manufacturing Landscape for 2024
As is characteristic of our region’s culture, let us embark upon the new year with determination and an unwavering commitment to navigate the variables ahead. MRC is here to help you overcome any hurdles and to deploy new strategies. As we forge ahead, let us collectively endeavor to mitigate uncertainties and chart a course toward a prosperous 2024.
How Smaller Manufacturers Can Develop Risk Management Strategies for Their Supply Chains
How Smaller Manufacturers Can Develop Risk Management Strategies for Their Supply Chains The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities within supply chains, particularly for smaller manufacturers. In a recent MEP National Network™ webinar, Gary Steinberg from...
The Tangible Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification
The Tangible Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification by Sally Wilk, Owner & Principal WCH Professional Services, LLC. Taking care of the environment is a shared responsibility. It’s a team effort where everyone pitches in. Businesses can demonstrate their...
Employee Stock Ownership Plans: An under-utilized solution to a challenging dilemma
Employee Stock Ownership Plans: An under-utilized solution to a challenging dilemma by William Stewart, Director Client Advisor Alex. Brown | Raymond James | Banyan Partners ESOPs offer unique solutions, especially for founders and owners of privately held,...
The Path to Automation: Guidance for Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers
The Path to Automation: Guidance for Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers by Rich Hobbs, President & CEO Manufacturers Resource Center Today I would like to share insights on navigating the automation journey, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs)....
The Maintenance Paradigm: Unlocking Capacity and Consistency
The Maintenance Paradigm: Unlocking Capacity and Consistency by Jeffrey Craig, CMRP | Reliability & Maintenance Professional Fuss & O’Neill Manufacturing Solutions In many organizations, maintenance is either undervalued or not valued at all. This could be...
What Your Employees Wished You Knew – DiSC® Styles in Leadership
What Your Employees Wished You Knew - DiSC® Styles in Leadership by Wendy Beltzner Sr. Director, Leadership Development & Training Manufacturers Resource Center Leaders have one of the most difficult jobs in our workplace today. In addition to creating a vision,...
Maximizing Energy Efficiency: A Key to Boosting Your Bottom Line
Maximizing Energy Efficiency: A Key to Boosting Your Bottom Line by Shawn Furman Advanced Manufacturing Technology Manager Manufacturers Resource Center When your manufacturing facility falls silent for cleaning, maintenance, or holiday shutdowns, what's the...
A Guide to Being an Effective Trainer
A Guide to Being an Effective Trainer by Wendy Beltzner Sr. Director, Leadership Development and Training Strategy Manufacturers Resource Center In every workplace, the transfer of knowledge is critical for maintaining efficiency, fostering growth, and ensuring the...
Cultivating Leadership for Organizational Growth in Manufacturing
Cultivating Leadership for Organizational Growth in Manufacturing by Diane Lewis Vice President of Operations & Manufacturing Solutions Manufacturers Resource Center Organizational growth isn’t just about expanding operations or increasing production; it's an...
Cold Weather Safety Mitigation
Cold Weather Safety Mitigation by William T. Paletski PE, CSP Senior. Environmental, Health & Safety Consultant East Coast Risk Management As winter descends there are heightened safety considerations within manufacturing workplaces. This time of the year...