A look at how smaller manufacturers are using the technology to grow their businesses. For North American businesses of all types, especially those in the manufacturing sector, 2022 was anything but typical. Or boring. Or easy. “Labor shortages” and “supply chain issues”... Continue Reading
Wearable technology is revolutionizing workplace safety with real-time, personalized insights mitigating the increasing risks of heat stress. The escalating climate crisis continues to take a toll, and industrial workers are at the frontline, grappling with a multi-record-breaking summer of heat... Continue Reading
With computers beating both chess grand masters and world-class Go players, plus ChatGPT writing everything from college term papers to love poems, artificial intelligence (AI) is arguably the hottest topic in tech today. But what about in manufacturing? Theoretically, with enough data and... Continue Reading
Labor Day reminds us of the enduring spirit of the American workforce. This day isn’t just about barbecues and the unofficial end of summer; it’s a celebration of the tenacity and resilience of workers everywhere. Yet, amid this celebration, an overshadowed segment of our population... Continue Reading
Do you remember your introduction to smartphones? Ryan, our techy son-in-law, was the first person I knew with an iPhone. Usually understated, Ryan declared that the iPhone was the first technology he’d seen that would change how he lived his life in small and significant everyday moments.... Continue Reading
The principles for managing multiple generations are really the same principles of good leadership. It’s hard to keep them all straight – the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, GenZers, Baby Busters, Millennials, iGen, Gen Alpha. Regardless of what you call them, or who... Continue Reading
Housing Growth at Risk: Mortgage Rates Soar to 22-Year High The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 7.23% last week, the highest since the week of June 1, 2001, according to Freddie Mac. Higher borrowing costs and issues of affordability risk slowing... Continue Reading
It takes constant review and enhancements to keep employees happy. Continental’s Wahpeton, North Dakota, facility got its start as family-owned WCCO Belting, a company which grew from a few employees to more than 300 over the 70 years it has been in business. Now, as a Continental... Continue Reading
As many of you know, the UAW is negotiating a new labor agreement with important automotive manufacturers as the current contract expires September 14. The consequences of a strike would have a potentially devastating impact not just on the vast automotive supply chain but many related sectors... Continue Reading
Artificial intelligence won't miraculously solve your problems unless your company is good at curiosity, effective data-gathering and use of data in decision-making. A 2016 U.S. Department of Commerce survey of 80 U.S. manufacturers and vendors reported that smart manufacturing would provide $57... Continue Reading
Manufacturing often frets about the aging of its workforce. Some nimble companies revel in it. The past decade has featured a long march of news about manufacturing’s labor shortage. At last count, some 800,000 manufacturing jobs were going unfilled in the United States. Less well-known,... Continue Reading
The artificial intelligence revolution has arrived, and it’s here to stay. ChatGPT has provided us the indisputable evidence that this long-awaited technology is entering a more mature—and more valuable—stage. In fact, generative AI will produce between $170 billion and $290... Continue Reading
