Manufacture Smarter Blog

10/16/2015 - THE CENTER
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a ratio that demonstrates the number of parts produced by a machine versus its theoretical or optimal capacity.

10/9/2015 - THE CENTER
Where do you go for help regarding new, lightweight materials? Who is really working on the materials and processes to create future vehicles and products which are lightweight, sustainable, and affordable?  How can I position my company for growth as the lightweight trend goes from being a gentle wave to a tsunami?

10/2/2015 - THE CENTER
The end goal of every manufacturer is to build a superior product which brings value to the customer at a reasonable cost. But, how this is accomplished relies on having an efficient and effective workflow within the plant. The process of taking in raw materials and transforming them into finished goods can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be!

9/25/2015 - THE CENTER
Since 2011, when President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act into law, both the food industry and the world waited for a glimpse of the final regulations. Following numerous revisions and delays throughout the years, the FDA released the first two of seven proposed rules this month.

9/18/2015 - THE CENTER
“That order will be delivered within the next day. It will be picked and shipped as soon as I hit ENTER. Thank you so much for making us your number one supplier. We value your business”. Once the ENTER key is pressed, will the inventory be available to fulfill the order?

9/11/2015 - THE CENTER
ISO standards help make the world safer and more efficient. The sparked interest in the new ISO 9001:2015 revision is significant, given that the draft has notable changes vs. the current 2008 version.

9/4/2015 - THE CENTER
If you Google “Value Stream Mapping,” a very elaborate (and wordy) definition pops up on the screen. In order to understand the concept, we must simplify the definition. Value Stream Mapping looks at how things are currently executed in order to improve processes in the future. The actual mapping portion comes into play because a written ‘map’ is used to sequentially depict steps required to design, produce and provide a good or service.

8/28/2015 - THE CENTER
In the next seven years, the U.S. Census Bureau is calling for a significant population change in the 55 and older segment. What does this mean? Business leaders and executives are committed to remaining in business longer. Because of an inability to envision leaving their business, older leaders delay conversations regarding succession planning.

8/21/2015 - THE CENTER
Supply chain optimization contributes to the success of any manufacturer. Imagine how much of your business relies on the successful management of the process! The importance of this business function is often overlooked by many small business owners, but proper supply chain management helps alleviate a myriad of problems and contributes to the overall success of your organization. 

8/14/2015 - THE CENTER
ISO 9001 is the world’s most utilized management system standard, and currently, all eyes are on its revision. The anticipated release date later this year of the revised version, ISO 9001:2015, has many companies asking how the revision will affect them. Specifically, what are the key changes required for existing ISO 9001-compliant quality management systems to achieve compliance with the revised standard?