Manufacture Smarter Blog

2/12/2016 - THE CENTER
Where does nearly 22% of the state’s employment come from? What generates over $101.2 billion in economic activity? What is responsible for $3.1 billion in export activity? Michigan’s Food and Agriculture Industry, that’s what.

4/17/2015 - THE CENTER
It is a critical time for American, specifically Michigan, manufacturers. With a feeling of cautious optimism, manufacturers are experiencing upticks and improvements in business, yet they are still working harder to set a stronger foundation for growth. Indicators are pointing to a manufacturing comeback.

2/20/2015 - THE CENTER
Did you know that 95% of the world’s customers live outside the U.S.? If your company isn’t exporting – you’re missing out on a lot of potential business. Exporting is a great way for smaller manufacturers to increase sales, diversify their customer base and embrace new innovations and product developments.

3/7/2014 - THE CENTER
There is a common, yet erroneous, belief among many domestic business owners that only large businesses have the ability to sell to a global market. Many companies, believing that only large US manufacturing exporting companies can be competitive in the international market, don’t explore the opportunity.

1/31/2014 - THE CENTER
Unless you’ve been without power for the last 24 hours, and with this polar vortex that’s entirely possible, you know that President Obama delivered his State of the Union address Tuesday night. And, if you’ve read the transcript or watched it live, you know that there were multiple references to Michigan, including the highlight of Andra Rush’s Detroit Manufacturing Systems story of putting people back to work and of newly appointed GM CEO, Mary Barra, breaking the glass ceiling.

1/4/2013 - THE CENTER
This week, the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) reported that December was the fourth consecutive month of expanding orders from American businesses. The ISM export gauge showed sales growth overseas for the first time in seven months. American manufacturers are becoming increasingly optimistic about the outlook for sales in 2013.