Manufacture Smarter Blog

9/19/2014 - THE CENTER
Move over Halloween. There’s another holiday in town during October, and Michigan’s finest are gearing up to celebrate. We’re talking about National Manufacturing Day, which is set for Friday, October 3rd!

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’?

9/5/2014 - THE CENTER
We recently published a blog entry about the importance of roadmapping. Roadmapping is an excellent way to align your technology with your company’s strategic goals. To recap Part 1, roadmapping is a visualization of how to tie a company’s technology needs to its new product development and strategy.

8/29/2014 - THE CENTER
We regularly look for new methods and products with which we can serve Michigan businesses, with a special focus on manufacturers. As a result, we're adding key personnel to concentrate on Michigan's emerging and expanding markets. We are so excited about some of the new things happening around here that we couldn't wait to share them.

8/22/2014 - THE CENTER
A couple weeks ago, we posted about Waste Walks. In fact, there’s a lot of information out on the internet that you can just Google and discover. Remember, the most important thing is to identify what you see – what type of waste it is, potential causes, and potential solutions. This sets you up for the next part – which is what you are going to do about it.

8/15/2014 - THE CENTER
How much time do you spend on strategic planning for your organization? In manufacturing, it’s very easy to get caught up in the daily grind…and understandably so! You have to worry about maintaining production levels, serving clients, adhering to safety standards, marketing your products, and so on and so on.

8/8/2014 - THE CENTER
The purpose of a waste walk is to gather information about the work process, the work areas within which it is performed, and any instances of waste that is observed. Typically, the waste walk is conducted by experienced lean practitioners who can offer a fresh perspective to manufacturers and illuminate opportunities for improvement.

8/1/2014 - THE CENTER
Email is still an important marketing tool for manufacturers. It gives your business the opportunity to easily connect with your target audience on a consistent basis. According to a study by ExactTarget, 91% of consumers use email at least once a day. Furthermore, “66% of consumers have made a purchase online as a result of an email marketing message,” according to the Direct Marketing Association.

7/25/2014 - THE CENTER
Henry Ford rose to prominence over 100 years ago, but this quote still resonates with manufacturers today. Organizations maximize success when everyone on the team is working together. Companies can only strengthen their workforce by improving their internal communication skills.

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.