Manufacture Smarter Blog

10/18/2013 - THE CENTER
​Can you believe it’s already fourth business quarter? The year has flown by quicker than a witch on her broomstick. (Wow, we’re at that point of the year where Halloween puns are timely.) Anyway, the point I’m making is that the end of 2013 is rapidly approaching and 2014 will be here before you’re done saying “Trick or Treat.”

10/11/2013 - THE CENTER
As you probably know by now, we’re pretty excited about manufacturing, particularly Michigan manufacturers. More and more attention is being focused on the industry between the most recent Manufacturing Day events from last week, to the latest Oakland County survey of manufacturers to identify needed skills.

10/4/2013 - THE CENTER
As you probably know by now, we’re pretty excited about manufacturing, particularly Michigan manufacturers. More and more attention is being focused on the industry between the most recent Manufacturing Day events from last week, to the latest Oakland County survey of manufacturers to identify needed skills.

9/27/2013 - THE CENTER
Another successful Proud to Manufacture in Michigan Conference is behind us and we’re already anticipating the next time we can get together and celebrate manufacturing. Before we get too caught up in future events, we wanted to take a moment to thank this year’s wonderful sponsors.

9/20/2013 - THE CENTER
Have you ever heard of Aesop’s Fables? If you’re unfamiliar, Aesop was a Greek story-teller, credited with sharing a number of short stories containing moral lessons for the listeners. There’s actually a famous fable that applies to manufacturing. It’s called, The Ant and the Grasshopper.

9/13/2013 - THE CENTER
Technology is a wonderful thing . . . or it can be, especially as it relates to medical advancement, gadgetry, and the like. With all technology, it can also displace or supplant something else, creating a lost skill or product. Perhaps somewhere in the middle of the ocean is an island for misfit technology. 8-track and vinyl records, anyone?

9/6/2013 - THE CENTER
On Friday, October 4th, companies nationwide will join together and celebrate National Manufacturing Day! The holiday was established to raise awareness about manufacturing’s impact on the economy and change the perception of manufacturing careers for future generations.

8/16/2013 - THE CENTER
Talking with manufacturers around Michigan, when many individuals hear the word “Lean,” they automatically think “to cut.” Especially during a recovering economy, Lean manufacturing topics are commonly discussed. It’s to the point where the perception of Lean is that you get rid of everything left and right….just reduce your expenses and improve your profit margins….that’s all that Lean is, right?

8/9/2013 - THE CENTER
Several recent articles surfaced surrounding Michigan manufacturing. American Axle needs 200 new workers, 100 more than originally anticipated . . . . .A Holland manufacturer set for $9 Million expansion, is adding jobs . . . Chrysler Group plans $52 Million dollar expansion . . . and so it grows. The only dissenting voice appears to be from Ford, which in the same email alert, says new plants unlikely. It’s not that Ford’s not growing, they are.

8/2/2013 - THE CENTER
A couple of years ago, MMTC created the Proud to Manufacture in Michigan campaign. The objective was simple: we wanted to promote the importance of manufacturing in our state and highlight the contributions of our local manufacturers. Michigan’s manufacturers were encouraged to display the official Proud to Manufacture in Michigan poster and we launched the first-ever Proud to Manufacture in Michigan Conference and Celebration.