Elements of a Successful Supply Chain
At the core of just about every type of business is a supply chain, and as the economy continues becoming more global in nature, it’s more challenging for companies to ensure that their supply chains are operating at peak efficiency.
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Precision Machining Index Experiences Third Month of Contracting Activity
The Precision Machining Index registered 45.9 in September, which marks for a third month of quickening contraction of business activity as reported by surveyed precision machinists.
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Lack of Cybersecurity Skills in Manufacturing Leads to Career Program, and Other Workforce Development News
The Siemens Foundation has provided a $1.25 million grant for a comprehensive workforce development program for cybersecurity in manufacturing; Hudson Valley Community College’s new 37,000-square-foot facility will allow the college to double enrollment in the manufacturing program; and Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. conducted a training and workforce development program for some students in Houston, Texas.
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When You Know it’s Right
Unfortunately, not all major decisions are this easy. This life-changing choice, though, is a no-brainer.
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Look Beyond the Benchmark
Shops that aim for traditional benchmarks could be limiting their progress. Instead, companies should focus on what they believe in or stand for beyond what they sell or make.
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PMI Trends Lower on Weak Backlogs, Employment
The August PMI indicates that both foreign and domestic new orders contracted in August, but at a lesser rate than in July. Should these readings continue to close in on the 50 mark in the coming months, it will indicate a stabilization in the demand for production machined goods.
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Life Lessons Learned Teaching Those Behind Bars
I was excited to visit the prison to teach entrepreneurship and job search skills to the mavericks, but I was not prepared for what they would teach me.
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Being Social is Networking
Networking involves putting oneself in a position to make connections and making an effort to communicate. It’s a social thing, regardless of whether the Internet is a part of it.
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25 Lessons in 25 Years
“We’re going to need someone to run the company. Do you think you can do it?”
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Change the Perception of Manufacturing—Host or Sponsor an MFG Day Event
MFG Day events often serve as the first step toward a manufacturing career for curious students. Here's why you should host one.
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Employment and Supplier Deliveries Lead PMI
The Precision Machining Index (PMI) ended 32 consecutive months of expanding activity readings with a July reading of 47.1. Readings above 50 indicate expanding activity and values below 50 indicate contracting activity.
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Pick Up the Pieces
Here’s an assortment of random thoughts for the month, from current events to upcoming Production Machining content.
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Storytelling is the New Business Currency
Storytelling helps people show the world that their businesses are not like everyone else’s.
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The Cost of Not Cleaning
Too often, failures are attributable to inadequately removed contamination.
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Developing STEM's Future Workforce
保持our competitive edge in the world market, K-12 education must continue to improve in every state. These programs are helping to build a foundation, but we need more to support the growth of our workforce.
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Industry Expansion Continues
The Precision Machining Index registered slowing growth in June with a reading of 50.9. Readings above 50 indicate expanding activity and values below 50 indicate contracting activity.
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Bringing Work Home
The Reshoring Initiative 2018 data report is now available. A record 1,389 companies announce the return of 145,000 jobs.
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7 Muda Wastes Every Machine Shop Should Eliminate
Applying lean manufacturing concepts, the Flexible Production method can help put a stop to production wastes, specifically for those who use transfer machines or machining centers.
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Introducing Industry Infinity.0, Where the Future has No Limit
Perhaps we are at a center point of the convergence between the exponential economy and Industry 4.0, where the speed at which data is processed and the rate at which industry is innovating collide.
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Industry Expansion Still Looking Up
The Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining expanded at a slightly slower rate as compared with April, registering 54.5 for May.
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