Manufacture Smarter Blog

3/14/2025 - BY: CHUCK WERNER & REBEKAH MCCARTER
Since the time of Covid there has been continuous dialogue about challenges manufacturers face when trying to grow or diversify (multi-source) their supply chain. At MMTC, we spend a LOT of time on the topic. In fact, the Technology Adoption Team often discusses these challenges with our colleagues in Market Research. Initially, we reviewed the impact of matchmaking sites.

3/25/2024 In the ever-evolving landscape of business, efficiency is the key to success, and one area where this is particularly crucial is supply chain management. Industries are becoming more complex and globalized, and traditional supply chain management methods aren’t cutting it. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), a game-changing technology that is transforming the way businesses manage their supply chains.

1/29/2024 As we face the impact of technology, increased global competition, and an ongoing labor shortage, our ingenuity and resilience will be crucial to creating an even brighter future. So what should be our priorities to keep Michigan manufacturers leading the charge?

7/28/2023 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
The latest Capterra Supplier Relationship Survey underscores the complexity of today’s global supply chains. This tells us it isn’t as simple as identifying a solution.

9/30/2022 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
Using CONNEX™ Michigan, buyers are shortening their search process and finding suppliers with the capabilities they need to mitigate their risk and expand their product footprint. It’s time to start local and grow national. Maximize the success of your searches with CONNEX™ today.

5/13/2022 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
Managing your local and national supply chain is now easier with CONNEX™. CONNEX™ Michigan is a cloud-based platform that centralizes the Michigan supply chain network into a searchable scouting database and integrates with the national CONNEX™ Marketplace. 

4/29/2022 - BY: ROGER TOMLINSON
ABC analysis is derived from “The Pareto Principle” also called the 80/20 rule. This principle suggests that 80% of the total output is generated by 20% of the valuable efforts. We can apply this in many ways and learn how we can better plan and improve our business.

3/18/2022 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
Are you a manufacturer looking to grow your business? Well, CONNEX™ Michigan may be the perfect solution. CONNEX™ Michigan was launched in January to connect manufacturers together in one searchable database. As the most advanced supply chain and manufacturing networking database tool ever assembled, many Michigan companies are taking advantage of the platform’s benefits.

1/28/2022 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
As we move into year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruptions to the global supply chain continue. In fact, things look like they may get worse before they get better. Resilience is the new buzzword. While everyone is talking about the challenges, very few are proposing solutions.

12/17/2021 - BY: REBEKAH MCCARTER
In recent months, both Deloitte and IndustryWeek published survey data on the pressing issues that are the biggest concern for manufacturers. These surveys, conducted in September and October 2021 respectively, reported remarkably consistent findings.