Manufacture Smarter Blog

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.

7/19/2013 - THE CENTER
There was a really great article published in Industry Week this month called, “Innovation: One Size Fits One.” The article relayed quotes and stories from industry experts about the importance of innovation in the manufacturing field.

7/5/2013 - THE CENTER
​Yesterday, we celebrated one of the best holidays in our country… the Fourth of July! We stuffed our faces with burgers and macaroni salad, played some horseshoes and joined with our family and friends to celebrate all the things that make the U.S so great!

6/28/2013 - THE CENTER
Many manufacturing companies use absorption costing methodologies that simply add up all costs and divide by the number of hours worked in a given year. This equation typically yields an average cost per hour for each department, or a blanket cost per hour (i.e. everything in the shop costs $120 per hour). This approach is quite easy to calculate and it provides a safe way to make sure all costs are ‘covered’ in terms of determining costing rates.

6/21/2013 - THE CENTER
Every business owner cares about workplace safety for the obvious reasons. I mean, who doesn’t want the reassurance that their employees are working in a safe and healthy environment? However, many of Michigan’s manufacturers “play defense” when it comes to safety regulations.

6/14/2013 - THE CENTER
According to the findings of a recent Deloitte survey, "Perspectives on family-owned businesses; Governance and succession planning," family-owned business executives may be impacting their companies' long-term success and competitiveness due to gaps in the areas of governance, board operations and succession planning.

6/7/2013 - THE CENTER
Michigan’s manufacturers come from different niches and consist of many sizes. Despite their differences and nuances, they virtually all have one thing in common: they want more sales! And when it comes to sales, there’s a very simple rule: you can’t have more sales without marketing.

5/31/2013 - THE CENTER
This week marks the 2013 Detroit Regional Chamber’s Annual Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Each summer, the Wednesday following the Memorial Day holiday, business leaders from around the globe descend on the Grand Hotel to help shape the future of Detroit and to discuss topics ranging from job creation to regional transportation and the key reforms needed for Michigan.

5/24/2013 - THE CENTER
​Monday marks one of my all-time favorite holidays, Memorial Day. Unlike many holidays which center on giving and receiving gifts or treats, Memorial Day is all about remembering – about sacrifice, honor, duty. . . .and freedom – but mostly remembering; specifically remembering those that have fallen in battle while defending our country.