Manufacture Smarter Blog

6/2/2023 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
Third-party certification of organizations was initiated a few years after ISO 9001 was first published in 1987. In those early days, ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003 were intended to be used to help ensure the quality of products being purchased. Note that ISO 9003 was discontinued.

5/26/2023 - THE CENTER
Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day weekend. We will be remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their lives serving our country. 

5/19/2023 - BY: ANDY NICHOLS
In part one of my blog series, we looked at the costs associated with obtaining an ISO 9001 certification and revealed the actual cost of obtaining a certificate. This is often the “entry ticket” to being asked to quote new business. It’s typically not a huge sum of money, especially when compared to marketing/sales budgets for lead generation. In this article, we’ll look at the certification audit process which provides the details behind the costs previously discussed.

5/12/2023 - BY: THE CENTER
Every year, Automation Alley hosts an outstanding Industry 4.0 event, Integr8. Our team at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) is grateful to be a featured guest, enabling us to speak with manufacturers about how they can adapt Industry 4.0 technologies to grow their businesses.

5/5/2023 - BY: MIKE BEELS
Do you ever notice that some people are better at dealing with their emotions than others? Or maybe you have a coworker who is really good at reading other’s emotions. This is because they have high emotional intelligence.

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?