Manufacture Smarter Blog

12/31/2014 - THE CENTER
Manufacturing has been in the news frequently in the last few months and 2014 has seen intense scrutiny and support for the industry. The Manufacturing Innovation blog posted a Retrospective on U.S. Manufacturing today that highlighted key trends for this year. 

12/5/2014 - THE CENTER
If you’re the smaller guy in the locker room of U.S. manufacturing, you have nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, you should embrace your size because bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better in the world of manufacturing. Here are five ways that smaller Michigan manufacturers can stay toe to toe with the big guys in town.

11/28/2014 - THE CENTER
In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need - getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before.

11/14/2014 - THE CENTER
There are some great reasons to buy locally, and not just because we believe Michigan makes the best items around (though we do!)  First, let’s do the math.

9/15/2014 - THE CENTER
As more and more attention is focused on manufacturing and what gets made where, the question is being asked . . . . What does it mean to be ‘made in America’?

7/18/2014 - THE CENTER
Perhaps now, more than at any time in recent history, all eyes are on manufacturing and the economy. Particularly in Michigan where conversations concerning talent gaps, labor shortages and a living wage are a common occurrence.

7/11/2014 - THE CENTER
Have you noticed that Michigan manufacturing has been in the news? U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker recently named Southeast Michigan as one of the nation’s top “manufacturing communities.” The region will receive assistance to attract global organizations into the area. And just this week, Industry Week named Michigan in its list of the Top 10 U.S. Manufacturing Hubs.

6/27/2014 - THE CENTER
BDO USA, LLP, in a press release dated June 17th, highlighted results from the 2014 Manufacturing RiskFactor Report.* 100% of the publicly traded U.S. manufacturers HQ in Michigan cited Industry competition, consolidation, and pressure on pricing as the #1 risk factor keeping them up at night.

4/25/2014 - THE CENTER
There is much rejoicing in the news on Michigan’s latest unemployment numbers. While still more than a percentage point above the national numbers, Michigan has had two consecutive months of lower unemployment and March is projected to extend that trend.

11/8/2013 - THE CENTER
Manufacturing is critical to Michigan's economy. It represents the single largest private sector component of Michigan's GDP, employs about 13.4% of total jobs (roughly 554,000 people), accounts for over 85% of exports, and on average, pays 36.7% higher then the State's average paid wage.