Industry Week articles from May 2009

Industry Week archives from May 2009

The Trillion-Dollar club and the health of U.S. manufacturing: the United States must take steps now to participate in the high-growth promise of these emerging economies.(THE COMPETITIVE EDGE)
May 1, 2009... The Peterson Institute for International Economics (IIE) has taken to calling six large emerging economies the "Trillion-Dollar Club," as all have, at least before the current recession, passed this threshold in national output. This group of...

Six Sigma's growing pains: the popular quality methodology pays a price for not being a panacea.(CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NOTHING PUTS A CHILL INTO system devotees more than the idea that the scheme they rely on, whether it be Total Quality Management, lean or their FranklinCovey Planner, is not "the answer," That's been the case in...

MAG Giddings & Lewis.(CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT)(six sigma training)
May 1, 2009... Ellie Kemp admits she is a sports addict, so it's not surprising she says the same elements needed for successful sports teams--talent, good coaching, a firm grasp of the fundamentals-are also the keys to success with Six Sigma, Conversely,...

Critical success factors.(CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT)
May 1, 2009... Six Sigma experts agree on many of the critical factors for successfully implementing Six Sib is and the pitfalls that can lead to its failure: Leadership: Initiatives such as Six Sib is require active and visible support from senior...

The changing face of automation: factory automation grows smarter, leaner and finds a new market to serve.(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2009... The factory floor at Coating Excellence International is an ode to automation. From robotic arms to automated sewing equipment, from the latest process controls on production equipment to automated inspection systems, the production areas...

Midwest still tops in trade: Ball State report card gives the great lakes region an 'A' for its global position.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite the downfall of the U.S. auto industry, the Midwest remains the nation's top region for imports and exports, say Ball State University researchers in the "Manufacturing and Logistics 2009" report card. ...

BASF's three pillars of energy efficiency.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The German word "verbund" means "linked or integrated to the maximum degree," according to chemicals manufacturer BASF Corp. For BASF, Verbund is a key component of an energy-efficiency strategy that integrates...

Lessons From a Lean Consultant.
May 1, 2009... Lessons From a Lean Consultant By Chris A. Ortiz Pearson Education Inc., 2008, 176 pages, $34.99 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chris Ortiz relates a story that is commonplace in manufacturing organizations attempting a lean...

Food safety concerns.(By The Numbers)(American Society for Quality )(Survey)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Food products manufacturers have lost some credibility with consumers in recent years in light of product recalls and foodborne illness reports. a survey by the American Society for Quality shows consumers think food manufacturers should be...

Hiring expectations weakest in 27 years.(FACILITIES & OPERATIONS)(Survey)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... U.S. employers say they plan to hire at their slowest pace during the second quarter since the 1982 recession, according to a Manpower Inc. survey released in March. The survey of 72,000 employers in 33 countries shows U.S. firms expect...

Outsourcing machine tool maintenance: even small and medium-sized companies are finding strategic benefits from third-party maintenance approaches.(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HydraForce Inc. started with a question: "Is our forte operating machine tools for maximum return or maintaining and repairing them?" At issue was the search for better resource utilization, explains Chris O'Bryan,...

Maintenance outsourcing as a global strategy: last year, Lockheed Martin selected a single source for comprehensive global maintenance services. Shouldn't you?(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] By outsourcing the global service and support of its manufacturing equipment, Lockheed Martin is building strategic value beyond cost reduction. In addition to enabling lean efficiencies and economies, the...

Rethink: A Business Manifesto for Cutting Costs and Boosting Innovation.(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2009... RETHINK: A Business Manifesto for Cutting Costs and Boosting Innovation By Ric Merrifield FT Press, 2009, 212 pages, $24.99 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Confronting one of the worst downturns in history, today's companies have good...

Flowserve commits to multi-tasking: multi-tasking machine tools can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.(FACTORY AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2009... In manufacturing, a machine tool normally is not considered a primary competitive advantage, admits Leonard Barron Jr., global commodity manager, machine repair and operations with Flowserve, a manufacturer of pumps, valves and seals. But...

Free investment advice: if you're seeking a good return in tough times, try these ideas out.(FIRST UP)(Column)
May 1, 2009... In my first column as editor of IndustryWeek, I want to offer you some free investment advice. Obviously, this can't come at a much better time as most of the investment advice you have paid for in the recent past has proven to be pretty...

Stay ahead of the curve: the next generation of transportation management systems (TMS) can help your shipping operation run like a well-oiled machine. Here are five things to consider before selecting one.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you think the role of a transportation manager is complex today, "be prepared for a future of even more complexity," says Richard Douglass, global manufacturing industry executive at Sterling Commerce, a Columbus,...

What's all the buzz about twitter?: report concludes that many users are 'tweeting' about work issues.(INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)(Report)
May 1, 2009... The popularity of Twitter and other "microblogging" platforms among individual users has piqued the interest of the business world, according to a report by the Stamford, Conn.-based IT research firm Gartner Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Crown Insite from Crown Equipment Corp. is a productivity optimization system for material handling applications that offers customized insights about a lift truck, operator, application and fleet.(MATERIAL HANDLING IT)
May 1, 2009... Crown Insite from Crown Equipment Corp. is a productivity optimization system for material handling applications that offers customized insights about a lift truck, operator, application and fleet. It collects, integrates and analyzes data,...

SmartPage for EnterpriseIQ from IQMS provides an intuitive portal that allows users to create customizable views of all key ERP functions, report requirements, email and key performance indicators (KPIs) within one screen.(ERP)
May 1, 2009... SmartPage for EnterpriseIQ from IQMS provides an intuitive portal that allows users to create customizable views of all key ERP functions, report requirements, email and key performance indicators (KPIs) within one screen. It interacts with the...

The SAP enhancement package 4 offers the latest set of enhancements for SAP's flagship ERP application, SAP ERP.(ERP)
May 1, 2009... The SAP enhancement package 4 offers the latest set of enhancements for SAP's flagship ERP application, SAP ERP. Among the enhancements are: for plant and operations, enterprise asset management and a new standard solution for recycling...

Compiere Warehouse Management, a warehouse management system (WMS) from Compiere, is designed to help companies increase visibility into warehouse operations, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction by automating inbound and outbound logistics within the warehouse.(WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT)
May 1, 2009... Compiere Warehouse Management, a warehouse management system (WMS) from Compiere, is designed to help companies increase visibility into warehouse operations, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction by automating inbound and outbound...

Laboring to find common ground: launching a continuous-improvement initiative within a union shop involves a number of significant challenges, not the least of which is overcoming the adversarial nature of labor-management relationships.(LABOR & MANAGEMENT)(Cover story)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The sight of 200-plus union employees huddled together on the floor of their former Chicago workplace during a December sit-in struck a chord with labor-rights activists, who likened the resistance to the 1936...

Prosperity at risk.(READER: Feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Re: "Just in Time: Manufacturing is Not an Ideology," April 2009, page 7 I just finished reading your article in the April 2009 issue of Industry Week and cannot agree with you more. Please continue getting this reality out to the...

A breath of fresh air.(READER: Feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Re: "Just in Time: A Breath of Hot Air," March 2009, page 7 I looked on your article as "A Breath of Fresh Air." I can only hope that our government leaders can spare the time from throwing good money at bad decisions and products to read...

More taxes not the answer.(READER: Feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Re: "Just in Time: A Breath of Hot Air," March 2009, page 7 I read your editorial with interest and would have added the following words to your concluding sentence... "along with the appropriate tax incentives!" [ILLUSTRATION...

Made (expensive) in the USA.(READER: Feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Re: David J. Traders's letter to the editor, March 2009, page 10 I wrote a letter back last year to this magazine ("What Ever Happened to Common Sense?") about some executive's estate getting $100 million upon his death and how ridiculous...

Portfolio management in a down economy: adjust R&D investments rather than abandoning them.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When the economy goes bad, it's hard to fight the natural instinct to conserve cash. That's not the best move to make when it comes to managing your product portfolio however, says Donovan...

Ideas welcomed: add Campbell Soup to consumer products firms inviting innovation via the Web.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)(Campbell Soup Co.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Campbell Soup Co. has joined the list of consumer products companies that are openly inviting consumers, inventors, scientists and others to submit ideas for new products, line extensions and other innovations. Submissions are accepted at a new...

Improved tools for digital prototyping and a focus on sustainability dine Autodesk's 2010 line of 2-D and 3-D design and engineering software.(Product Development Solutions)
May 1, 2009... Improved tools for digital prototyping and a focus on sustainability dine Autodesk's 2010 line of 2-D and 3-D design and engineering software. For example, new assembly and stress analysis and motion simulation tools in Inventor Professional...

Design-for-environment tools are new additions to the latest version of Boothroyd Dewhurst's Design for Manufacture and Assembly software.(Product Development Solutions)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Design-for-environment tools are new additions to the latest version of Boothroyd Dewhurst's Design for Manufacture and Assembly software. Both modules of DFMA 2009-DFA Version 9.4 and DFM

Concurrent Costing Version 2.3-have been updated.(Product Development Solutions)
May 1, 2009... Concurrent Costing Version 2.3-have been updated. With the new tools, designers can evaluate the impact of their material selection while the product is still in the concept state and view potential end-of-life scenarios. A software analysis...

Customer input has driven more than 85 enhancements to NEi Nastran V9.2, a major upgrade to NEi Software's FEA solver for high-end finite element analysis.(Product Development Solutions)
May 1, 2009... Customer input has driven more than 85 enhancements to NEi Nastran V9.2, a major upgrade to NEi Software's FEA solver for high-end finite element analysis. Key additions to the new version include nonlinear composite progressive ply failure...

Vistagy has introduced a comprehensive design solution to help aircraft manufacturers with their product development process.(Product Development Solutions)
May 1, 2009... Vistagy has introduced a comprehensive design solution to help aircraft manufacturers with their product development process. Vistagy AeroSullte comprises three components: FiberSim, a software suite that addresses the entire composites...

Significants upgrades been introduced in TurboCAD Professional Version 16, the flagship product of IMSI/Design.(Product Development Solutions)
May 1, 2009... Significants upgrades been introduced in TurboCAD Professional Version 16, theflagship product of IMSI/Design. The innovations are particularly evident in 2D drafting and 3D modeling, according to the company. Features of Version 16 include...

The Advanced Materials Revolution: Technology and Economic Growth in the Age Of Globalization.(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2009... The Advanced Materials Revolution: Technology and Economic Growth in the Age of Globalization By Sanford L. Moskowitz John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2009, 255 pages, $74.95 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In part a history lesson and in part...

The role of research.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT)
May 1, 2009... "Leadership in science remains vital to America's economic prosperity, energy security, and global competiveness." --US. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu

Creating 'Interlock': five strategies to keep the relationship between procurement and R&D in gear.(PURCHASING)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In her 20 years as a procurement manager and management consultant, Nancy McGuire has seen too many organizations fall into the trap of using purchasing as little more than "the order-placer for early-prototype and...

Material demand.(MARKET WATCH)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Commodities Up In Price Copper Polyethylene Polypropylene Commodities down in price Aluminum (6) Caustic...

Recession creates a buyer's market.(MARKET WATCH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... "During times of fast growth, suppliers were able to command higher prices. slowing markets can bolster buyers' bargaining power and drive down prices.... For U.S. buyers, the dollar has strengthened versus many currencies, and commodity prices...

Measure what you're managing: supply chain performance is all about improving efficiency of the entire operation.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Measuring supply chain performance can be daunting, observes Andrew Kinder, director of product marketing for supply chain management solutions with Infor. "Manufacturers have to establish an integrated set of...

How to develop a supply chain-Friendly network: scenario planning considerations can be just as important as location.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTIC)
May 1, 2009... How's this for a perfect storm? Thanks to the recession and 2008's fuel price spikes, companies are reacting by repositioning their logistics locations closer to their end users, but they're not taking the time for a network optimization...

Do's and don'ts on managing risk in the supply chain.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTIC)
May 1, 2009... > Do's Establish closer collaborative relations with distribution channels. Get closer to the demand signal and sense variations continuously. Use sell-through demand (rather than sell-in demand) from sales channels to establish supply...

Short-term strategies are in vogue in 2009: cost management projects supersede long-term IT implementations.(SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTIC)(Survey)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Not surprisingly, the major influence on companies' supply chain agenda in 2009 is the economic crisis, according to Capgemini Consulting's recent study of 300 global supply chain managers. reducing inventory and logistics costs is driving most...

You write the caption.
May 1, 2009... "Just because your co-workers called you a 'Lean God' doesn't qualify you for automatic entry. You still have to go through the approval process like everyone else." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Site location.(New eNewsletter)
May 1, 2009... IW's Expansion Management Site Location newsletter is designed to provide business executives with news and information related to facility management, expansions, relocations of companies, economic development, environmental sustainability...

How has the recession affected your company's plans for capital spending in 2009? Industryweek.com readers respond.(Online Poll)
May 1, 2009... HOW HAS THE RECESSION AFFECTED YOUR COMPANY'S PLANS FOR CAPITAL SPENDING IN 2009? Industryweek.com readers respond: 62% Significantly reduced (10% or more reduction) 9% Slightly reduced (1%-9% reduction) 19% ...

Six tips to help reduce costs and boost productivity in a challenging economy.(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Unprecedented economic challenges are driving manufacturers to find new ways to reduce costs. the next opportunity to meaningfully reduce operating costs and increase productivity lies in focusing on the workforce. Indeed, by implementing...

Selecting a PLM system to improve product development performance for small and medium sized manufacturing businesses.(product Lifecycle Management)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... New hardware and software technology unleashed during the last few years--along with the pervasive reach of the internet--provides companies with a unique opportunity to use product Lifecycle Management (PLM) to greatly improve new product...