Manufacture Smarter Blog

6/19/2015 - THE CENTER
Kermit the Frog famously says, “It’s not easy being green.” With all do respect to Kermit, it’s easier than you think!The “green” movement is the sister of sustainability. Sustainability, or green manufacturing, means working within the means of natural ecosystems without causing harm to others or jeopardizing future needs. It also means reducing environmental impact and cultivating renewable resources.

6/12/2015 - THE CENTER
If you’ve ever taken a physics class or rearranged your furniture, you know the heavier an object is, the more energy it requires to move it. The same principle applies to automobiles and other types of transportation. This is great news for consumers! This means the lighter a vehicle, the less energy it takes to accelerate, and the better its fuel economy will ultimately be.

6/5/2015 - THE CENTER
Every day, MMTC is out consulting with Michigan’s manufacturers about how to improve their competitiveness. While we work with a diverse group of companies – from food and chemical producers to automobile parts and metal manufacturers – organizations of all industries and sizes are focused on process improvement to boost profits.

5/29/2015 - THE CENTER
Historically, when you think of Lean, manufacturing is most likely to immediately pop into your mind. But in recent years, following the success of Lean manufacturing on the shop floor, many office environments have begun realizing the same strategies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate wastes. Implementation can be challenging if improperly executed, but when done correctly and with the right guidance, there are significant benefits to be realized in an office environment.

5/22/2015 - THE CENTER
There have been many questions circulating from our manufacturers regarding ISO 9001 certification. One of the most prevalent questions was whether a company should register to ISO 9001:2008 now, or wait until ISO 9001:2015 is released. Although it may sound counter intuitive, the best option may be to register to ISO 9001:2008 now and then plan to transition to the 2015 version at a later time. 

5/15/2015 - THE CENTER
For most companies in the business world, reducing costs is viewed upon positively. But, for those who speak of it, BEWARE! Sometimes, the idea of reducing costs becomes synonymous with cutting staff in the manufacturing world, especially in the minds of employees. Instead of focusing on just reducing costs, manufacturers should prioritize their efforts and focus on reducing excess and unnecessary costs. This is where Six Sigma comes in.

5/8/2015 - THE CENTER
As most of you have probably heard, ISO 14001 has an updated version due out in late 2015. So after 11 years of getting used to the present requirements, it’s all about to change. ISO 14001’s major revision will reflect what is called the “High Level Structure” based on ISO’s Annex SL. If you don’t understand it, don’t worry as it will all be explained soon!

5/1/2015 - THE CENTER
As manufacturers look for ways to develop new business, generate leads, and drive sales, social media has become an increasingly important topic. Many companies are starting to realize the benefits of social networking and have therefore embraced sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. However, many businesses have overlooked the benefits of using Google+.

4/24/2015 - JOHN SPILLSON
One of the primary goals of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is to create a food manufacturing process that uses scientific methods to avoid hazards and decrease the chance of recalls. But what happens when the unimaginable FOOD RECALL takes place? Today, we live in the most scientifically, technologically advanced era of all time. However, as we have read about or watched on the news, recalls are real and much more common than we think.

4/17/2015 - THE CENTER
It is a critical time for American, specifically Michigan, manufacturers. With a feeling of cautious optimism, manufacturers are experiencing upticks and improvements in business, yet they are still working harder to set a stronger foundation for growth. Indicators are pointing to a manufacturing comeback.