Manufacture Smarter Blog

4/28/2023 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
Many organizations do a good job of satisfying their customers’ need for quality products and continue to meet the challenges of the markets they serve. Often, their (larger) customers have hinted at wanting their organization or supply chain to become “ISO certified” – for example, lower tier automotive suppliers are required to be ISO 9001 certified by higher tier customers. Some organizations may have seen their competitors are certified and question why. After all, doesn’t it cost a lot to be certified?

4/21/2023 - BY: MELISSA MANASA
Organizations are required to undergo annual financial audits to ensure financial statements are accurate. A successful audit reassures business leaders and gives them the confidence to move forward with business decisions. Preparing for a financial audit can be overwhelming, as statements and documents must be ready for the auditing team. The finance department should also prepare by reviewing records and double-checking that the information is in place and organized.

4/14/2023 - BY: GEORGE SINGOS
At the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center), our team enjoys the opportunity to visit clients in their facilities. Seeing the business in person gives us a well-rounded understanding of the current state and where we could potentially help the company improve.

4/7/2023 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
ISO certification is often expected of manufacturers to ensure quality management is in place. Certification also gives companies a competitive advantage and the discipline needed for future growth. This discipline becomes evident in all aspects of the company by creating an environment ready to thrive in today’s competitive market.

3/31/2023 - BY: STEVE VAMPLEW
How many conversations do you have in one day? Who do you have these conversations with (at work or in your personal life)? Have you ever had an exceptionally good or very bad conversation with someone? If so, how did you define whether it was good or bad? 

3/24/2023 - BY: ROBERT SCIPIONE
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has revolutionized the manufacturing industry with its ability to quickly create custom parts. In addition to printing parts, manufacturers can utilize 3D printing to create tooling and fixtures to streamline their production process. Let’s look at how manufacturers can utilize 3D-printed tooling and fixtures to their benefit.

3/17/2023 - BY: JIM GORMAN
My first job after graduating from college was with a Tier-1 automotive interiors company. I still have the lanyard card that was given to me at my orientation with the title “The Cornerstones” which highlighted key values of the organization. These cornerstones mean as much to me today as they did on my first day on the job. I believe them to be the most straightforward and inspiring standards for promoting productive relationships and teamwork, while also providing a framework for addressing issues that will certainly arise when working with a team.

3/10/2023 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
Oddly enough, the famously hilarious movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring John Candy and Steve Martin, has a lot in common with quality management! It hit the big screens in 1987. In the same year, ISO 9001 was launched and then became the base requirement for AS 9100D and IATF 16949. The automotive industry found that ISO 9001 did not include many tools that have helped produce the quality products we drive today. As a result, “Core Tools” were developed and added to the basic ISO requirements.

3/3/2023 - BY: JOHN SPILLSON
Governor Whitmer has proclaimed March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month to honor and celebrate Michigan’s farmers and diverse products. Our state’s unique climate and abundance of water has provided the ideal conditions to grow and process some of the nation’s finest agricultural products. As a $105 billion industry, food and agriculture provides more than 800,000 jobs, which accounts for 17% of our state’s employment. Encompassing nearly 10 million acres of farmland, Michigan has more than 300 commodities and is the second most diverse agriculture state in the U.S.

2/23/2023 - BY: JEFF WILLIAMS
When it comes to our cell phones, most of us can’t leave home without them. We protect our phones and act as if our whole lives are on the device. So why aren’t we doing all we can to protect our business? In the age of technology and automation, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of how to protect your business information systems and ensure there are effective processes in place.