Drive for EVs Challenges Auto Industry as Never Before June 16, 2021 Automakers during this decade face a big challenge. They are having to invest in electric vehicles. But EVs, at least for now, won’t generate the profits of conventional vehicles, according to an annual report by consulting firm AlixPartners.
Getting Back to Sort-Of Normal July 13, 2021 With vaccinations on the rise, the in-person collaboration that is still essential to doing business, including trade shows, is growing. But challenges to recovery from the pandemic remain. Global supply chains are struggling with multiple disruptions. Shipping rates are historically high. Computer chip shortages are curbing output.
Discovering the Future of Manufacturing: An Exclusive Q&A with Paul Baldassari, President of Manufacturing and Services at Flex July 31, 2023 In this exclusive Q&A interview, Paul Baldassari, the president of manufacturing and services at Flex, sheds light on the evolving dynamics of the industry and its promising future.
Reshoring and Restoring U.S. Manufacturing October 26, 2023 Explore the path to restoring a robust manufacturing sector in the U.S. while addressing challenges posed by the pandemic.
Manufacturing Starts to Feel Economic Pain March 13, 2023 The manufacturing economy is starting to feel some pain.
When ‘Tried and True’ Won’t Do June 17, 2020 During times like these, editors turn to “tried and true” sayings to frame their opinion columns. One of these sayings is, “May you live in interesting times,” supposedly a translation of a traditional Chinese curse. The saying is used ironically, in that “interesting times” are times of trouble and difficulty.
Driving a New Normal December 18, 2020 2020 was certainly an unusual year—for SME, for our industry, and for the world. There is no question that these unusual times will carry over into 2021. Unusual does not necessarily mean bad; it just means different. Often hidden within those differences are opportunities.
Use the Swiss Cheese Model to Fight COVID-19 January 5, 2021 In 2020, most manufacturers focused on mitigating the impact of COVID-19, but mitigation is too little too late. Many companies learned that lesson after seeing how COVID-19 outbreaks affected either their own facilities or other manufacturing firms.
Where is Manufacturing Tech Headed in 2021? January 15, 2021 Manufacturing technology is constantly changing, both in terms of the types of products produced and the ways those products are made. As we ease into 2021, here are some interesting trends I’ve heard about.
Workforce Development for Global Competitiveness June 24, 2021 A widening skills gap threatens U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and consequently our economy. A talent pipeline with a sufficient supply of properly aligned skills is imperative to meet U.S. manufacturers’ needs for capacity, productivity and innovation.