Regulations

Regulations 1 Nov 2009

Early Collaboration, Part Design Involvement Key to Global Growth in Packaging

This mold manufacturer has achieved success by partnering with manufacturers in the packaging and closure markets on innovative plastic part designs—not simply providing a mold quote.

Data Management Software 1 Jun 2009

How Success Happens

All too often lately, I sense a feeling of entitlement in some areas of manufacturing. I know how that sounds—U.S. manufacturers rightly believe that they’ve been bludgeoned over the past 20 years or so by government trade policies, along with a shifting perception in our culture that a career in manufacturing is in some way less-than-noble/lucrative/rewarding. But there are some SMMs that I speak with who say things are hopeless. They tell me that their industry and government have abandoned them, and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Business Strategy 1 Jun 2009

MoldMaking Expo 2009: Get Organized

Surveys conducted by sister publication, Plastics Technology (www.ptonline.com) as well as MapYourShow (www.mapyourshow.com)—developed in 2005 by Gardner Publications, Inc. to provide state-of-the-art trade show mapping and planning solutions.

Business Strategy 1 May 2009

Are You Charging or Recharging?

It goes without saying that shops and plants around the U.S. are facing intense economic and business pressures. For most of us, it was no bed of roses before today’s global credit crisis began last year—we’ve seen the competitive landscape shift dramatically over the past decade. A few weeks ago, I was talking to an old friend and fellow business owner in Ohio. He told me that his company was certainly feeling these pressures and he had to make some tough decisions to reduce costs—among them were reducing prices to maintain business and cash flow, and the hard choice to cut staff.

Machining 1 Mar 2009

Top 10 Machine Vision Improvement Opportunities

As the global manufacturing market continues to get more competitive, it is important to ensure that automation processes are running at peak efficiency levels. Any process-related malfunction is considered downtime, and directly impacts company profitability. Machine vision is an area that, when set up correctly, can reduce process inefficiencies.

Business Strategy 1 Mar 2009