Articles
Manufacturing
New U.S. Tariffs on Heavy Trucks and Pharmaceuticals Test Global Supply Chains
The latest U.S. tariff package targets imported heavy trucks and branded drugs, creating new challenges—and potential opportunities—for manufacturers, fleets, and global supply chains.
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Supply Chain Reset: 7 Trends Remaking Manufacturing
Through reshoring, retooling, and redefining resilience, manufacturers are embracing a new normal shaped by volatility, vision, and the drive to stay ahead.
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IoT Manufacturing: Components, Benefits, and Challenges
Factories are no longer just metal, noise, and manpower. Smart machines now collect data, talk to each other, and help manufacturers make faster, better decisions. Welcome to the age of IoT manufacturing, where efficiency and insight come from connected technology. Across the manufacturing industry, companies use IoT devices and smart sensors to track machines, boost […]
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Karla Trotman: Wired to Reshape Manufacturing
From cutting wires for quarters to leading a multi-million-dollar electronics company, Karla Trotman says legacy, grit, and humility power her approach to business, family, and the future of American manufacturing.
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Panasonic’s $4 Billion Battery Factory Set to Transform U.S. EV Supply Chain
This state-of-the-art facility will ramp up domestic EV battery production, helping reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and supporting faster, more sustainable vehicle manufacturing.
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Warehouse Vs. Factory: Purposes and Types of Each
Warehouses and factories, each integral to supply chains and manufacturing, serve distinct yet complementary functions. To optimize logistics, warehouses focus on efficient storage and distribution centers, often situated near key transport routes. Factory features, such as upgraded interiors, modern amenities, and attractive locations, cater to prospective tenants’ lifestyles. Warehouses and factories are vital components […]
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Takt Time: Origins, What It Is, and Formula
Takt time is a crucial concept in manufacturing. It defines the pace at which products must be completed in the manufacturing process to meet customer demand efficiently. The word takt, which comes from the German word “takt,” means “rhythm. “ Takt time represents the harmony between production and demand, ensuring that each product aligns perfectly […]
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What is MRP? History, Definition, and How it Works
Running a manufacturing process without an organized system often leads to chaos—too many raw materials or not enough to meet customer demand. That’s where material requirements planning (MRP) comes in. So, what is MRP? It’s a planning system that helps production managers calculate the materials needed, schedule production efficiently, and balance inventory levels with actual […]
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Essential Guide to Quality Control in Manufacturing Best Practices
Discover essential best practices for quality control in manufacturing to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. Read the article for practical insights.
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Why We Need Advanced Manufacturing
What I learned over 40 years in manufacturing is that innovation and manufacturing are intertwined. Brilliant scientists and engineers invented some of the world’s most innovative and impactful products, and many of them need to be manufactured on innovative processes.
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5 Types of Quality Management Systems Explained
Different types of quality management systems, such as Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, and ISO standards, play a vital role in helping businesses achieve operational excellence and meet industry standards. Implementing quality systems enhances quality control, and promotes continuous improvement.
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9 Types of Manufacturing Processes Every Business Should Know
Businesses rely on different types of manufacturing processes to create products, and each method serves a specific purpose. From turning raw materials into finished goods to producing at scale, manufacturing plays a critical role in meeting consumer demand across various industries. These manufacturing techniques vary based on the nature of the product, required output, and […]
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Just-in-Case vs Just-in-Time: Understanding the Differences
Inventory management systems are pivotal in commercial shipping and logistics. They influence a company’s ability to meet customer demand and manage costs effectively. Businesses today often choose between just-in-case (JIC) and just-in-time (JIT) systems, two distinct strategies that cater to different operational needs. JIC focuses on maintaining higher inventory levels as a safety net against […]
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Manufacturing Overhead: Definition, Cost Types, and Management
Manufacturing overhead includes all the indirect costs associated with the manufacturing process, which are not directly tied to producing a specific product. By grasping the concept of MOH, businesses can achieve more accurate cost assessments and better financial management. This article will give a detailed overview of manufacturing overhead, its parts, and how it affects […]
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Assembly Line: Definition, History, and Advantages
Assembly lines are the backbone of modern manufacturing, revolutionizing how we produce everything from cars to consumer electronics. Why is and why was the assembly line important? They enable manufacturers to assemble complex products efficiently, drastically transforming traditional production methods. By systematically adding parts at successive stations, these lines optimize time and labor, making large-scale […]
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From Earnings to Ergonomics: Optimizing Warehouse Labor
As warehouse labor plays hard to get, organizations turn to a growing range of tools and technologies to support worker safety, boost their productivity, and make their jobs easier, more efficient, and even more enjoyable.
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Bill of Materials (BOM): Definition, Impact, and Components
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a cornerstone document critical to creating any tangible product in the intricate web of modern process manufacturing and product development. It is a comprehensive list that catalogs all the components, raw materials, and assemblies needed to construct a finished product. Its accuracy and detail reflect directly on the production […]
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What Is Sustainable Materials Management? Types and Benefits
In a world rapidly adapting to green initiatives, the concept of sustainable materials management (SMM) is gaining prominence. It is a systemic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycles. SMM represents a key shift in how society thinks and deals with materials. By focusing on the importance of conserving […]
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Construction Materials Management: Techniques, Software, and Benefits
Construction materials management is pivotal in completing construction projects, ensuring that materials are available, of the right quality, and reasonably priced. Every year, the construction industry faces significant challenges associated with material shortages, quality control issues, and logistical inefficiencies. Implementing an efficient material management process is not just a cost-saving measure, but a strategy to […]
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Labor Pains Persist
As rising interest rates, poor economic conditions, and a talent shortage continue, optimism among manufacturing industry leaders remains low, according to a Sikich Industry Pulse: Manufacturing and Distribution report.
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