This was a question that I posed in a Linkedin group recently. Within a few days there were 31 replies with some excellent comments and suggestions. I found several things significant in the replies. They described many tools people are using to manage manufacturing facilities. They showed there is great …Read the Rest
It is Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and the snow is starting to melt across the southeast. More people are out …Read the Rest
In the summer of 2010, I lost 40 pounds in three months and one day. I even came close to …Read the Rest
Almost every segment of manufacturing is being affected by the downturn in the economy. Some are in a full crisis fighting for survival. I was at the site of a prospect two weeks ago. Their demand is low and their warehouse inventories are high.
When I talk to manufacturing companies as a consultant or as a sales agent – I challenge them to be the lowest cost producer when the plant is pushing capacity and when the plant is cutting back. You want a company name on the door and people working inside and the only way to do this is to be able to keep making a product at a low margin. Effective manufacturing, increasing product mix, lowering changeover time, increasing first pass yield, increasing uptime are all highly important to remain profitable. Facilities are closing and corporations are smart enough to close the highest cost producer.
Almost every segment of manufacturing is being affected by the downturn in the economy. Some are in a full crisis. I was at the site of a prospect two weeks ago. Their demand is low and their warehouse inventories are high. The manufacturing facility is running at about 25% of the capacity that is was only a year ago. Is this the time to put your head down, nose to the grindstone, work and tough this thing out saving every penny?
