2020 has been quite the year for in-person meetings, with almost all being cancelled nationwide since April. Every association has had to adjust, innovate, and create an alternative learning and networking experience for their industry. The Metal Treating Institute’s marquee event, Furnaces... Continue Reading
As Human Resource professionals, we have a lot on our plates right now...I get it. Some have moved employees back to the office, at least part-time; others never left. Then there are those to whom it may seem like the return to the office will never arrive. In any case, COVID-19 appears to be your... Continue Reading
If growing up in the 1980s taught me anything, it’s that right now we should be either be living in a post-apocalyptic hellscape or a wondrous time with flying cars. While we seem to be on track for the latter, what few predicted, outside of George Orwell, was that thanks to technology,... Continue Reading
As COVID-19 Worries Linger, Economy Tries to Charge Forward As the nation continues to grapple with lingering COVID-19 worries, the data last week reflected bounce backs in activity, suggesting that the economy is trying to charge forward. These “green shoots” provide some... Continue Reading
Training, technology, and process are all key to successful LOTO at your facility. Lockout tagout (LOTO) is a procedure which helps to safeguard employees from the sudden and unexpected start-up of machinery in the workplace, which can be dangerous and potential cause of serious or fatal... Continue Reading
Using an online presence to create a digital strategy that works 24/7 in the manufacturing industry. For many small business owners, having a sales force is critical, but managing one is an unending hassle. It also represents a dichotomy: The sales force investment can be substantial, but few... Continue Reading
Full disclosure: I’m actually excited for 5G and all of the advancements it will bring. Think about it for a moment here…we have already seen remote surgeries performed across 5G networks and more than enough bandwidth to ensure that our continual internet of things (IoT) growth is... Continue Reading
U.S. manufacturing rebounded in May, but recouped only a fraction of the prior month’s record decline, suggesting some stabilization in the sector after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and hurt demand. The Federal Reserve said recently that manufacturing production increased... Continue Reading
"How we face death is at least as important as how we face life." As we progress through the year, I can't help but recall these words from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan -- one of my favorite movies. In recent years it seems like every aspect of the human experience has been affected by... Continue Reading
General Motors' Warren Transmission was a defunct factory until the Coronavirus pandemic gave it new life this spring — for the production of medical face masks. The plant is humming, having churned out and donated more than 2.7 million masks since late March. It is now producing more than... Continue Reading
During these difficult times, it’s more important than ever to highlight and share accurate, relevant messages. Here are some tips to help fight the chaos. The threat from disinformation is greater now than ever. From the civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd to the... Continue Reading
As the manufacturing industry rebounds from the coronavirus, it will have to overcome skill gaps, retirements, and an image problem. Before the Coronavirus upended the global economy, U.S. manufacturers were facing a shortage of workers. In fact, Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute... Continue Reading
