Industry Week articles from April 2008

Industry Week archives from April 2008

The China misconnection: for some manufacturers, it's getting too expensive to offshore their production to China.(JUST IN TIME)
April 1, 2008... If part of your competitive strategy is offshoring production work to China because labor I is so much cheaper over there, raw materials are easier to acquire and there's a very favorable "renmibi vs. dollar" currency advantage, it might be...

Designing the Smart Truck: today's lift trucks reveal a broader, richer design focus. The goal is an expanded operating capability that can make a productivity difference.(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
April 1, 2008... Selecting lift trucks? Set aside more time for the due diligence evaluation step. Innovative features are trending a buyer's "must have" list beyond form, fit and function. The motivating factor is the expanding role for lift trucks in...

Outsmart! How To Do What Your Competitors Can't.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Outsmart! How to do what your Competitors can't By Jim Champy FT Press, 2008, 208 pages, $22.99 "There's not much new in management, but there is a lot new in business," says Jim Champy. In this book, he reveals surprising,...

Make or Break: How Manufacturers Can Leap From Decline To Revitalization.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Make or Break: How Manufacturers Can Leap From Decline To Revitalization By Kaj Grichnik and Conrad Winkler with Jeffrey Rothfeder McGraw Hill with strategy+business, 2008, 207 pages, $17.95 The authors offer a comprehensive reminder...

The fuel cell race: lift trucks have pulled ahead of cars in the race to adopt fuel cell technology.(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The undeclared competition between lift trucks and automobiles for fuel cell adoption is part of a process that lift truck provider, Raymond Corp. Began to accelerate in 2004. "That year we set a goal targeting the...

Table scraps: manufacturers can use their leftovers to feed various industrial applications but should still try to avoid scrap before it's created.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Enterprising thieves have figured out that scrap means money, so why does that concept still elude some manufacturers? On any given day in urban America you can find a home that's been gutted for valuable copper...

Bridging the lean gap.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)(Quotation)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "There is a missing link between the world's brilliant objects--now cheaper and better in many cases because of lean thinking applied to their design and manufacture--and support for these objects through their...

Training program caters to: displaced auto workers.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A region hit hard by auto industry layoffs has reason for a little hope with a new training program recently launched by Warren, Mich.-based Industrial Control Repair Inc. The industrial electronic and mechanical...

Smart power: a smart grid could allow manufacturers more control over their power consumption.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Could the day come when manufacturers adjust their production schedules according to real-time electricity price rates? That's the hope of Gridwise Alliance, a consortium of automation and utility companies exploring...

Refinery blast: reinforces calls for process safety.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A February 2008 explosion that left at least six dead at a sugar refinery in Georgia served as a grim reminder of the dangers present within process industries. Just weeks before the disaster the Occupational Safety...

The engagement dance: survey says Indian and Mexican workers are the most involved worldwide.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)(Survey)
April 1, 2008... India ranks first among 22 countries in terms of employee engagement with an overall favorable rating of 25%, while Mexico scored second with 19%, according to a study conducted by consulting firm Mercer LLC. The study polled 12,500 employees...

Sources of strength: with globalization forces transforming their businesses, manufacturers are creating more powerful sourcing strategies to control costs throughout the supply chain.(GLOBALIZATION)
April 1, 2008... AS COMPLICATED AS IT'S MADE OUT to be, applying a strategy to a business practice comes down to a relatively simple premise--developing a good plan to reach the goals you've set out to achieve. Of course, where it gets tricky is in the details....

New tech trends in manufacturing customer service: new technologies and data-driven focus are enabling more agile, responsive customer-service departments, both inside and outside the enterprise.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the old days before digital tuners, radios had two tuning knobs--one for general tuning (to get you in the ballpark) and one for fine tuning (to hone in on a specific frequency). Laura Wood, senior manager for...

Tracking and managing energy and emissions: manufacturers are adopting innovative solutions to track and report on carbon emissions.(DASHBOARDING)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the old saying goes, you can't manage what you don't measure. It's often even harder to measure what you can't see--like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This difficulty is compounded by the pressure that companies...

SaaS Isn't Always SaaS.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(Quotation)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It's not surprising that Software as a Service has become the hot application delivery model. It seems every software vendor claims to have SaaS applications, whether the model meets all the criteria or not." ...

Solar tech manufacturer prepares for growth with ERP system.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(enterprise resource planning)(Prism Solar Technologies Inc)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Noted technologist, inventor and author Ray Kurzweil is bullish on the prospects for the global solar power industry, forecasting exponential growth along the same lines as another silicon-based sector--semiconductors. One well-positioned...

Every millisecond counts: filter manufacturer says computers need maintenance, too.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2008... Baldwin Filters, a manufacturer of air, oil, fuel and hydraulic filters primarily for industrial vehicles, recently took the step of tying the principle of computer efficiency into its OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) program in an effort...

Mother earth needs your IP: IBM, Sony and others join forces to open-source "green" patent portfolios.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Earlier this year, several technology companies and manufacturers--including IBM, Sony, Pitney Bowes and Nokia--joined forces with the World Business Council for Sustainable development (WBCSD) on an initiative designed to push a number of...

Timely solution to communication problems: bringing your communications platforms together can bring your employees together.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brian Bauer, IT operations manager at Alps Automotive, ran into a disconnect when implementing his company's just-in-time manufacturing solution. "When you're a global manufacturer, communications between your...

Green tech for clean tech: global market dynamics make for huge market opportunity for forward-thinking technology provider Emerson Process Management.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... The twin dynamics of a booming market for alternative energy sources and a precipitous drop in qualified employees in process manufacturing sectors such as alternative fuels are driving the development and deployment of innovative technology...

Unified marketing communications: two trends--communications convergence and environmental marketing--come together in a new product from iLinc.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In an attempt to capitalize both on the popularity of "green" initiatives and the coming trend toward unified communications, web conferencing specialist iLinc has released a Web-based software program that...

Whatever happened to quality? Quality is more than just a statistical analysis tool for manufacturing lines. When done right, quality should encompass the entire enterprise.(MANUFACTURER'S AGENDA)(Cover story)
April 1, 2008... SOME 50 YEARS AFTER THE ADVENT OF the total quality management (TQM) movement championed by W. Edwards Deming, manufacturers of all different sizes and stripes are still being dogged by high-profile manufacturing quality defects. The list is...

Protecting your IP in China: growing investments overseas increase the risk of intellectual property infringement.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(intellectual property)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee last year, the General Account-ability Office presented in no uncertain terms the growing risks U.S. intellectual property faces as firms grow increasingly global (see...

Manufacturers lauded for setting rapid prototyping benchmarks.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Objet Geometries Ltd. started 2008 on a high note after dosing out 2007 in the same fashion. This maker of rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing equipment recently received the 2007 Growth Excellence of the Year...

Kicking the CAD tires.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ever thought about the right way to make a CAD purchasing decision? Consider this suggestion offered up James Heppelmann, executive vice president, software products, and chief product officer for PTC. Choosing a...

Encouraging sustainable design: online calculator assesses products' carbon footprints.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Industrial Design Consultancy)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A necessary first step toward reducing your product's carbon footprint is to actually know its carbon foot-print. Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC) has launched a free online service to help manufacturers assess...

Understanding IP.(Driving Innovation: Intellectual Property Strategies for a Dynamic World)(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Driving Innovation: Intellectual Property Strategies for a Dynamic World By Michael A. Gollin, Cambridge University Press, 2008, 414 pages, $29.99 "The invisible infrastructure of "innovation" is how Michael A. Gollin describes...

The fallout from fakes.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Quotation)
April 1, 2008... "Where there is money to be made, counterfeiters and pirates will steal intellectual property and capitalize on the innovations of others without regard for the consequences to the people and to the businesses that they steal from or the...

Taking IMAX to the stars: engineering firm uses simulation tools to help carry the camera to the Hubble telescope.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Launching into space, needless to say, is a stressful endeavor. Designing a structure to withstand that stress, as well as the stress of re-entry, became the challenge for Pagnotta Engineering when it was selected to...

Seeking excellence!(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)
April 1, 2008... Is your facility an example of excellence in manufacturing? Do your manufacturing practices drive stellar performances? if so, then the time has come to enter your manufacturing plant in Industry Week's 2008 Best Plants competition. >...

Engineered for girls: Web site encourages females to joing engineering programs.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... It seems that manufacturers are not standing still in their efforts to attract more females into the engineering profession. Their participation has aided in the launch by the National Academy of Engineering of "Engineer Your Life"...

Lies, lies and more lies: translating what the guy across the table really means.(BRANDT ON LEADERSHIP)(Column)
April 1, 2008... Young managers often start their careers without realizing that many of the bosses colleagues, customers and vendors they are about to meet will just as soon lie to them as breathe. To help these neophytes sort out truth from fiction, we offer...

Whatever happened to respect for people? A successful lean transformation requires a commitment to the people who make it possible.(CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT)
April 1, 2008... How many companies can you think of who publicly profess that people are their most valuable resource, but then treat them like a consumable commodity? Few would argue that Toyota is the most successful automotive company in the world today, a...

Online poll.
April 1, 2008... Will the U.S. economic stimulus package help the manufacturing sector? IndustryWeek.com readers respond: Yes 23% No 67% Unsure 10%

What goes around comes around.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... Re: "Just In Time: Buddy, Can You Spare a Job?" Page 7, March 2008 I agree with everything you have stated. You have hit the proverbial nail on the head. I wonder what the current Wall Street crisis would be like if more money was invested...

Where has lean gone wrong?(From The Forums)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... http://forums.industryweek.com/ showthread.php?p=3921#post3921 > As a consultant working with a lot of manufacturing companies, I have seen where lean goes "wrong" and I'd even contend that it goes "wrong" more often than it is goes...

Overcoming a weighty problem.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... > Re: "Obesity Weighs Down Production," Page 22, March 2008 Jonathan Katz makes a compelling argument for employers reducing temptation and offering employees resources to lose weight and improve their health. There are real bottom-line...

Meet the new capitalism ... same as the old capitalism.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... > Re: "The Workforce: Charles Handy," www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle. aspx?ArticleID=12462 From the first sentence this article is stuck with one foot in the old paradigm and the other searching for a foothold in a better world. Charles,...

Educating the consumers.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... > Re: "Just In Time: The United States of Manufacturing," Page 7, Feb. 2008 I believe you are 100% correct that the best thing government can do is stay out of our way. However, a bit less regulation and taxation would not hurt. We as...

Up and running: with very little margin of error when it comes to downtime, small and midsize manufacturers are adopting multipronged maintenance strategies to keep their equipment going.(SMALL & MIDSIZE MANUFACTURERS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Forget about finding a "run it till it breaks" philosophy of equipment maintenance at Quality Float Works. This 93-year-old manufacturer of metal floats relies both on very large equipment as well as some pieces that...

Online marketplaces are back in play: an improved approach to the market offers manufacturers an effective way to find new suppliers.(PURCHASING)
April 1, 2008... It's difficult to deny that online shopping has totally transformed consumer buying habits. With a few clicks of the mouse, customers can have practically any product in the world delivered right to their doorstep. Most manufacturers have been...

Speaking out on outsourcing: study shows more companies are now willing to outsource procurement tasks.(PURCHASING)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although manufacturers are steadily being encouraged to focus on their core competencies while they outsource everything else to a third-party, many companies are still hesitant to outsource their procurement...

Price check on manufacturing: more companies are turning to pricing technologies to increase profitability.(PURCHASING)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An effective pricing strategy can be one of the biggest influencers of profit margins for a company, yet it remains one of its most complex functions. And according to a recent B2B pricing survey from the...

From parts unknown: how to identify what might be missing from your parts pricing strategy.(PURCHASING)
April 1, 2008... In order to make sure they are taking advantage of every possible cost-saving opportunity, manufacturers are constantly evaluating their current practices to see where improvements can be made. According to a recent report by consulting firm...

Market watch: material demand.(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Commodities Up In Price Aluminum Chemicals (2) Copper [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Corn (2) Natural Gas (4) Plastic Resins (2) Polyethylene Polypropylene Steel (2) ...

Choose your suppliers wisely.(PURCHASING)
April 1, 2008... "Selecting the right suppliers is [becoming] a multi-stage process, in which suppliers are vetted in a very coordinated, organized fashion. Companies are increasing their due diligence, knowing that the kind of effort they spend on the...

Procurement planner: travel suggestions for the purchasing professional.(PURCHASING)(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... International Supply Management Annual Conference May 4-7 St. Louis www.ism.ws/ConfPlanner Association of Equipment Manufacturers Supply Chain/Purchasing Seminar June 16-18 Minneapolis ...

By the numbers: online attitudes.(PURCHASING)
April 1, 2008... In terms of online buying habits, consumers have always been a few steps ahead of big business. With that in mind, the public's current mindset should at least offer a glimpse into how comfortable manufacturers will be testing the online waters...

Global logistics is on the move: oil isn't getting any cheaper, but manufacturers can at least control their transportation costs if they collaborate with their logistics providers.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The global logistics landscape is set to change significantly, according to Chris Morgan, lead analyst with Datamonitor's Logistics and Express division. While China will continue to be the manufacturing hub of the...

The latest release of SAP Supply Chain Management from SAP includes enhanced functionality for supplier collaboration which enables suppliers to create Web-based invoices.(Supply Chain Solutions)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The latest release of SAP Supply Chain Management from SAP includes enhanced functionality for supplier collaborationwhich enables suppliers to create Web-based invoices. Enhanced capabilities for outsourced...

RapidResponse for Demand Management service from Kinaxis Inc. provides visibility across fulfillment networks.(Supply Chain Solutions)
April 1, 2008... RapidResponse for Demand Management service from Kinaxis Inc. provides visibility across fulfillment networks. It is designed to enable demand management and fulfillment staff to more effectively respond to unexpected demand and supply...

JDA Software Group has released JDA Fleet Management 7.4.1, a transportation and logistics management software application powered by Manugistics.(Supply Chain Solutions)
April 1, 2008... JDA Software Group has released JDA Fleet Management 7.4.1 a transportation and logistics management software application powered by Manugistics. The solution is designed to provide integrated enterprise transportation planning, asset...

RedPrairie Routing Portal.(Supply Chain Solutions)
April 1, 2008... Red Prairie Routing Portal from RedPrairie Corp. is a Web-based solution for coordinating inbound shipments and reverse logistics. The software enables personnel throughout an enterprise to manage transport delivery requests and ordinate dock...

Oracle Corp. has integrated its Oracle Transportation Management into its JD Edwards EnterpriseOne sales order management, procurement and financial management applications with the intent or delivering a complete fulfillment execution system.(Supply Chain Solutions)
April 1, 2008... Oracle Corp. has integrated its Oracle Transportation Management into its JD Edwards EnterpriseOne sales order management, procurement and financial management applications with the intent or delivering a complete fulfillment execution system....

Flow Management from Manhattan Associates is a cross-suite solution that enables companies to synchronize all aspects of product distribution, from forecasting and inventory planning to allocation and distribution.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... Flow Management from Manhattan Associates is a cross-suite solution that enables companies to synchronize all of product distribution, from forecasting and inventory planning to allocation and distribution. Flow Management is part of the...

The LogicNet Plus 6.0 XE network design and planning solution from ILOG features a scenario simulator that automates scenario comparisons so that users can see the business impact of changes in their supply chain before they deploy them.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... The LogicNet Plus 6.0 XE network design and planning solution from ILOG features a scenario simulator that automates scenario comparisons so that users can see the business impact of changes in their supply chain before they deploy them. It...

By the numbers: the chemical supply chain.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
April 1, 2008... By The Numbers: The Chemical Supply Chain Sharing supply chain best practices is on the rise within the chemical industry, but there are still areas for improvement, says Christopher Lange, senior executive in consulting firm Accenture's...

Supply Chain Excellence: A Handbook for Dramatic Improvement Using the SCOR Model, 2nd Edition.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Supply Chain Excellence: A Handbook for Dramatic Improvement Using the SCOR Model, 2nd Edition By Peter Bolstorff and Robert Rosenbaum AMACOM, 2007, 304 pages, $39.99 The genius of the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) definition of...

U.S. military launches supply chain partnership: collaboration among three agencies aims to improve operations and information sharing.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The U.S. Army's Logistics effort during Operation Desert Storm was widely credited for the success of that mission. Since then, the U.S. Department of Defense has been rather quiet about its supply chain successes,...

The five myths of import compliance: the importer is ultimately responsible for the goods that enter a country.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Importer's Financial Exposure Myth: "Our exposure is limited to the Customs duties." Reality: An importer's financial exposure is equal to the value of the imported goods plus duty. U.S. Customs...

Portrait of a best-in-class warehouse.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... In its recent study of more than SSO warehousing and distribution operations, analyst firm Aberdeen Group determined that the top pressure driving warehouse improvement at companies deemed "best-in-class" is the high cost and low availability...

Supply chain spending spree: if current needs translate into purchase orders, supply chain solutions will be a hot commodity in 2008.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... There's at least one market that looks like it'll be enjoying a healthy 2008; supply chain technology. Based on a recent study conducted by analyst firm AMR Research, spending on supply chain technology is expected to grow by 12% this year,...

MIT launches supply chain center in Latin America.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)(Massachusetts Institute of Technology)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT-CTL) is teaming up with LOGyCA, a Colombia-based logistics company, to develop a $19 million Center for Latin American Logistics Innovation (CLI).The goal...

How Herman Miller went green.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
April 1, 2008... "Here are three things we recommend to companies working with their suppliers on the long-term goal of going green: > 1. Design your products with sustainability as a core principle. > 2. Refine your goals and put them to paper. > 3. Embrace...