Industry Market Trends: 2007 Archives

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December 21, 2007

The Last Light Friday of 2007 (Let's Make it Count)

For the next week, you'll have to get along without us, as the IMT editorial staff is retreating to various secret bases in realms beyond the Internet. (Be brave!) Until then, we wish** our dear readers a number of (politically correct) holiday wishes (of no particular religious interpretation). Have a fun and safe New Year's, and enjoy this final Light Friday of 2007!

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December 20, 2007

The Chicago Spire: An Engineering Feat at 2,000 Feet

The 2,000-foot, corkscrew-designed Chicago Spire may well be one of the most impressive engineering feats of 2007. Here's why.

December 19, 2007

Many Happy Returns for Customers

When a customer tries to return a purchase, minimize or eliminate the hassle to ensure he or she returns. It is much smarter to increase the probability that a customer will come back by having a clear and concise return policy.

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December 18, 2007

Tips for Public Speaking (without the Flop Sweat)

There are no less than seven major industry-focused trade shows next month, all of which no doubt will have keynotes and other speeches. That is when the sweaty palms, shaky knees, tight throat, dry mouth, flop sweat and even nausea set in. It's stage fright. Like other learned skills, though, you can nip the fear of public speaking in the bud.

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December 17, 2007

India Growth Still Tied to Outsourcing

Recent news reports indicate India has kicked up its growth yet again through its bilateral trade agreement with China. From both a manufacturing and IT services perspective, there appears to be no end in sight when it comes to growth in India. Yet outsourcing initiatives of other countries still dominate the headlines.

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December 14, 2007

Light Friday: Worst Employees of '07, Old-School Engineering Calculator, Jet Packs in '08 ...

... Common Passwords, Love to Hate Tech Jargon, No More New Year's Resolutions and When Spiders Attack Space Shuttles!!!

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December 13, 2007

Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs

Taxes are one of the most important issues facing entrepreneurs of small and growing businesses, and the days remaining to put your 2007 finances in order are dwindling quickly. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to take action.

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December 12, 2007

Steel Pipes, Subsidies, Tariffs and China

These are just a few words the U.S. Department of Commerce used last month when it found that the Chinese government has been providing improper subsidies on Chinese circular welded steel pipe exports. In its preliminary determination, the Commerce Department will impose tariffs to level the playing field.

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December 11, 2007

Unwrapping the 2007 Packaging Market

Packaging tells consumers all there is to know about the product inside. In the U.S. alone, packaging is a $130 billion market, according to the Flexible Packaging Association. And much of the market is indebted to food and beverage-driven developments.

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Chrismukkah: By the Numbers

Do you know how many farms currently produce Christmas trees? Or the height of the world's largest dreidel? Or what year the Slinky was patented? Find out these and many more "Chrismukkah" facts.

5 Things Every Business Needs to Know about Packaging

JoAnn Hines, aka "The Packaging Diva," is recognized as one of the 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th century. Here she offers five crucial things every business must know to package a product that delivers.

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Burning Question

Should Christmas gifts be exchanged in the workplace?

Oyster's Hall of Shame and Acclaim

No doubt, there are many excellent, innovative package designs out there. Unfortunately, there is a lot of lousy packaging, too. And this year's award for "Hardest-to-Open Package" goes to...

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Branding: It's What's Outside that Counts

A company's branding is basically its packaging: How it presents itself on the outside is how it entices consumers to learn more and, hopefully, to "look inside" and become customers.

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2007 Holiday Gift Guide

Here is our roundup of novel gift ideas we think would be worth giving to geeks and gadgeteers. Now Target, now Best Buy, now Wal-Mart and Brookstone! On Gap, on small stores, on Sears and eBay!

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Much More than Your Average Train Set

Running time for the 310-mile journey between London and Paris was two hours and 35 minutes. That figure is now obsolete, after the high-speed Eurostar passenger train switched services in mid-November.

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IMT Readers Tell the Story

Almost 4,000 of you took time from your busy schedules to respond in our Reader Satisfaction survey last month. As our way of saying "Thank you," here are some of your comments that will help shape our future editorial.

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December 10, 2007

Foresight on Forecasting

As 2007 winds downs, there's a strong wish to base our 2008 plans on forecasts. Some make a living of forecasting; others feel it's foolish to try. To help you find your comfort spot on the scale between these extremes, two views follow.

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December 7, 2007

Light Friday: NORAD Tracks Santa, Plus Robots that Fight and Play Violin...

... This Week's Dilbert Mission Statement and MORE!

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December 6, 2007

Where We Stand: Manufacturing in November

Conditions in the housing industry are worsening, the dollar is in free fall and oil prices are at an all-time high. At the same time, the U.S. manufacturing sector seems to be growing -- albeit at a glacial pace.

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December 5, 2007

Extending Customer Research Beyond Arm's Length

Increased collaboration can drive more effective business results, of course. And more collaborative retailers and manufacturers have been able to cite tangible areas of progress beyond "soft" benefits.

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December 4, 2007

Will the Auto Industry Surrender to Energy Efficiency?

Congress has agreed to raise fuel-economy standards by 40 percent for cars and light trucks by 2020. Environmental groups have hailed the deal as historic, because it would be the first time Congress has taken significant action on fuel efficiency since the mid-1980s. The latest version of the measure, if it becomes law, will force radically severe changes on all aspects of the American car companies.

December 3, 2007

How to Optimize Asset Performance

Images of machines so well-maintained and adjusted that they operate for as long as necessary to meet market demand while running as efficiently as possible — all the while producing products with (at most) infinitesimal deviations could be a dream come true.

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November 30, 2007

Light Friday: Dilbert Mission Statement, Deadliest Jobs (Revisited), Giant Turkey...

... Fighting Wildfires with Water Balloons, Bronze Fonz, Revolutionary "Huski" and MORE!

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November 29, 2007

The Ups and Downs of the U.S. Economy

Reports earlier this week confirm strong skepticism about a better economic future for the U.S. in the near term. By mid-week, the actions that manufacturers have taken became apparent.

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November 28, 2007

Demand for Industrial Controls: Trending Upward

Part of productivity-boosting automation depends on installing advanced controls. With today's emphasis on making the most of raw materials and energy to keep costs low, it pays to know what's happening in the industrial controls market.

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November 27, 2007

Top 7 Design Trends

In the face of increased challenges in recent years, global design strategies have matured significantly. Gracefully merging design and engineering with the rest of the surrounding world, the long-term trends continue.

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Lessons in the Business of Design

Consumers today are quicker to shop for style rather than focus on quality, and the best way for companies to succeed is to deliver what the customer demands. Designers can figure that out -- but not without help.

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Danger in Santa's Goody Bag

Unsafe levels of lead paint, spontaneous ignition, choking hazards, the date-rape drug GHB — all were found in toys this year. Stressed-out parents this holiday season have a heightened wariness of safety in the design and manufacture of toys.

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Burning Question

What is the most innovative design of the 21st century?

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Print 3-D Objects at Home

3-D printing can convert digital design files to tangible products in a matter of hours. And the technology is evolving so fast that retail outlets may be forced to rethink their business models just to survive, according to researchers.

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A New Look for the Global Supply Chain

Managing a supply chain has never been so challenging. In addition to automation, data handling, lower costs and minimal risk, now supply chains are demanding substantial energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.

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How to Make the Workplace Insufferable

Primetime TV comedies, popular movies and comic strips may poke fun at the irritants inherent of the workplace, but incivility and chronic rudeness in the real workplace are more pitiful than amusing.

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Rethinking the Stadium Playbook

Local businesses, team owners, players and fans win when new stadiums come online or old stadiums undergo renovation. But designing and building a successful stadium doesn't happen by chance -- it takes a game plan.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas Commerce

There are some hideous-looking Web sites out there wanting your business. With e-commerce sales growing at a rapid clip, and with Christmas right around the corner, small businesses should ensure their Web sites are enticing.

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November 26, 2007

Intermodal Volume Holds its Own in Q3

Declining imports from Asia and sluggish domestic traffic demand may have taken its toll on intermodal volume in 2007's third quarter, but total North American volume in Q3 was the second-best quarter ever recorded, according to the Intermodal Association of North America this month.

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November 21, 2007

By the Numbers: Turkey Thursday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday

For many, the days between tomorrow (Thanksgiving) and next Monday (Cyber Monday) signify an acceptable time for excessive eating, drinking and shopping, not to mention the beginning of many homes turning into gaudy wonderlands of wasted fossil-fuel-generated energy. Mmmm, turkey, Christmas lights and football...

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November 20, 2007

Economic Roundup: Still Pessimistic

The Federal Reserve's recent warnings of an economic slowdown had small-business owners cutting back on hiring and spending plans, while bad weather and rising gas prices in recent months have prompted a late start to the holiday shopping season. Here's a look at recent weeks' economic developments and how they're affecting small businesses.

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November 19, 2007

Can Manufacturing Save the Great Lakes Economy?

With the incredible bout of bad economic luck the Great Lakes region has experienced over the past several years, logic dictates that the area needs nothing short of a miracle to make any sort of meaningful turnaround. Yet some analysts believe that turnaround is already taking place, thanks to the sector that made it plummet to begin with: manufacturing.

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November 16, 2007

Light Friday: The Conference Bike, Offensive Interview Questions, Lift Truck Safety Fun...

... Boeing Heat Shield, Beer is Good for You and MORE!

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November 15, 2007

Fed Lifts the Veil

What WERE they thinking? This is a response all too commonly made regarding decisions made by government organizations. Now the U.S. Federal Reserve has announced it will provide better transparency to the public to improve businesses and consumers' understanding of the central banking system's objectives and strategies.

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November 14, 2007

Analyzing Costs and Benefits

As the prices for energy and raw materials put renewed pressure on economies, cost cutting has rarely been so critical to manufacturers large and small. Here are some basic ways to analyze business costs and potential benefits. Warning: If mathematical equations frighten you, turn back now.

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November 13, 2007

The Raw Deal - Up, Up and Away

While increases in oil prices have received the bulk of mainstream attention, the prices of metals and other materials have risen much more rapidly over the past year.

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The Next Generation of Super-Strong Materials

Researchers have made some incredible advances across a range of materials -- metals, plastics, paper, composites and more -- enabling today's designers to take advantage of super-strong materials.

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Why Do Plastics Fail?

To better foresee and thus avoid failure, we must understand how a part will behave in relation to its larger product. Polymers may have come a long way over the past century, but it still pays to ensure high quality.

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Burning Question

How much of your work time is spent on low-value activity?

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Material Handling: The Big Picture

Because material handling essentially started in manufacturing and logistics, here we look at a wide range of notable developments, from transportation and logistics to forklifts, cranes and pallets.

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Science Finally Gets Fashionable

Runway models could be wearing bulletproof, glow-in-the-dark, smog-fighting and flu-preventing garments on the catwalk, as scientists work to integrate style and comfort with safety and health in clothing.

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How Much Time Must Engineers Waste?

More than half of engineers working at build-to-order companies find themselves spending too much time on low-value activities, according to research. How can firms make more efficient use of engineering time?

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Tiny Promises Unfulfilled

A lot of lip service has been paid to nanotechnology's promise. Despite some successful real-world applications in manufacturing and engineering, though, this promise has remained largely unfulfilled.

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Make Your Meetings Matter

In a perfect world, every meeting is well prepared, focused and engaging. However, this is not a perfect world and meetings are often a waste of time. Here are some tips for carrying out meetings that matter.

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November 12, 2007

Strong Supply Chain for Strong Branding

If there were ever any doubts about the validity of today's global economy, let the recent firestorm of controversy over the growing list of toy recalls be a stark reminder that it is, in fact, very real. That is why a clear view of the entire supply chain is critical.

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November 9, 2007

Light Friday: Reintroducing the Model T, Male Whale Pick-up Lines, Sporks and Knorks...

... and much more!

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November 8, 2007

How Are Relationships in Your Cluster?

Some time ago, when I promoted research and development, I attended a presentation on how clusters -- the business kind, not the candy kind -- affect a business' ability to increase productivity and improve profitability. In case you're unfamiliar with the cluster phenomena, it involves groups of industries in a geographic area or industry sector that can become allies in important ways, particularly in R&D.

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November 7, 2007

The State of Third-Party Logistics - 2007

A significant focus of the annual State of Logistics Outsourcing: 2007 Third-Party Logistics report this year is on the opportunity for improved collaboration between 3PL providers and users.

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November 6, 2007

Masters of the Universe - Global Competitiveness Rankings

TV writers may be on strike, but we're not. And we're bringing news of two huge reports. The World Economic Forum just released its annual ranking of global competitiveness, based on data from 131 countries, and the World Bank has released its own set of indicators to gauge international competitiveness among 150 countries. Here are the countries leading the world.

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November 5, 2007

Considerations When Choosing a Consultant

Sometimes we have to admit we need outside help in the form of consultant knowledge and experience. However, choosing the best consultant for a particular job can be quite daunting. Yet if succeeding in business is all about minimizing and controlling risk, you certainly don't want to risk a consultant who'll falter, leading to a poor decision and losses.

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November 2, 2007

Light Friday: eBay Find of Hallowthanksmas, Zombie Science, What You're Listening To...

...and MORE!

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November 1, 2007

Dark Days for Small Businesses

Economic confidence among small-business owners nationwide has hit record lows, marked mainly by the overall economy, increasing cash flow issues and lower selling prices, as well as costs of health care, materials and labor. Meanwhile, the U.S. Small Business Administration appears more responsive to small firms.

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October 31, 2007

Just in Time for Halloween: Pirates (Not the Fun Kind)

Tonight some Jack Sparrows and other young pirates undoubtedly will come knocking at your door expecting treats. Yet given our increasingly challenging economic straits, real pirates are wreaking havoc more frequently on the high seas, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

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October 30, 2007

Best of 2007 (So Far) - Reader Favorites

Every year, some Industrial Market Trends coverage rises above the rest. As such, we've compiled a list of your five favorite articles from IMT issues so far this year, plus our picks for 2007 posts worth checking out. Whether you're seeing these articles for the first time or re-reading a few of your favorites, we'd love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment on the blog.

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October 29, 2007

From Paradise to Ash in Days

Southern California was beautiful as only those who know the canyons and appreciate the chaparral can know. Now much of it is ashes thanks to raging fires across 800 square miles in seven southern counties.

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October 26, 2007

Light Friday: Office Games Probably Not Fit for the Office

We spend at least eight hours a day with our coworkers. Even the most serious business person needs to have a little fun — even if it's slightly absurd fun. Here are some pranks and other ways to (occasionally) lighten the mood on the job. (We don't encourage any of them.)

October 25, 2007

24 Questions to Ask Employees

The truth may hurt, but not asking could cause even more pain.

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October 24, 2007

Getting in Sync with Your Global Supply Chain

The term "global supply chain" is often discussed in a casual manner — almost as if it's assumed all manufacturers know how to run it properly. Recent developments are putting a halt to this oversight by uncovering a lack of knowledge and awareness in this critical area of interest. So how can you sync up with your global supply chain? Here's how.

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October 23, 2007

Patterns of Innovation: Matters of Size and Style

Most organizations today herald innovation, claiming its value and showcasing "best practices" in their mission statements. Yet when it comes to the overall state of innovation, according to recent scrutiny, "the only way is up."

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October 22, 2007

When You Can't Fly Solo: Preparing for Teamwork Excellence

Increasingly more innovative developments and discoveries result from team efforts. If individuals improve their teamwork skills continuously, the organization is better able to compete.

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October 19, 2007

Light Friday: CEOs Agree They're Overpaid, Cars of the 1907 Auto Show, Gripe Sheet...

... Watch Your Salary Grow Online, Programmed for Chocolate Lovin' and MORE.

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October 18, 2007

How to Manage Supply Chain Collaboration

Supply chain collaboration remains ad hoc and fragmented, according to CAPS Research, a global research center for strategic supply management.

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October 17, 2007

Nimble Product Design Determines SME Value

Businesses have struggled with this one forever: How do we develop our product cheaper and offer it to customers at a low price? Taking into account budgetary restraints, revenue goals and product cost targets, the question is even tougher for smaller companies whose budgets are typically limited.

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October 16, 2007

Auto Industry: Revved Up or Broke Down?

As compact Hondas and Toyotas continue to crash onto the scene, U.S. automakers have largely failed to recognize what today's car consumers need: an auto industry that is fast, flexible and efficient.

Back to the Future

Today's new vehicles are loaded with electronics, communication equipment, safety features and ever-increasing engine power. Innovations in the car of tomorrow, however, will include improvements on cars of the past.

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Top Auto Recalls of 2007

The number of automotive recall issuances last year was nearly as high as it has ever been. But 2007 has also been a bad year for some surprising offenders. Herewith are this year's most recalled cars.

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Burning Question

The United Auto Workers (UAW) recently carried out mini-strikes at both General Motors and Chrysler. Is a Ford strike next?

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Working Smarter on the Shop Floor

After R&D is completed, it's up to the workers on the floor to get the vehicle out the door. What developments are driving change and enabling the rank-and-file to work smarter and quicker?

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Under the Hood of a NASCAR Racer

The thrill of NASCAR racing may be based on our need for speed. Unrestricted, NASCAR cars produce 750+ horsepower and can run at speeds in excess of 200 mph. The most crucial component: the engine.

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U.S. Infrastructure in the Emergency Lane

In addition to the tens of billions of dollars that poor road conditions cost U.S. motorists each year, this summer's bridge collapse in Minnesota has brought the nation's brittle infrastructure back into the spotlight.

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Army of Anthropologists Enters War Zones

The United States military is testing a new strategy in which anthropologists are embedded with combat units in war zones, but critics fear the social sciences are being used for political gain.

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The Road to Success for Wallflowers

Many employers are looking for workers who have very specific personal attributes. Yet being great at what you do while dispossessing that "special something" should not stop hard workers from getting ahead. There is no one solution, but a combination of strategies could do the trick.

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October 15, 2007

U.S. Economy Deflates: Producer Prices Roundup

We don't have to tell you that gasoline prices jumped again, as you can see it on the gas stations along our streets and highways. But for the nation as a whole, the price rose 8.4 percent September over August. The approximately 13.8 percent drop in the price of gasoline we enjoyed during August just couldn't last.

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October 12, 2007

Light Friday: The Robots & Marriage Edition

New Science on Marriage: Stress, Wealth, Infidelity, Heart Disease, Testosterone and Fertility. Plus Robo-Bugs and Life-Size Transformers!

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October 11, 2007

6-Hour Strike at Chrysler

Workers yesterday walked out of all Chrysler plants nationally, except for those already idled as part of the automaker's plans to reduce inventory. They had just enough time to stand in a picket line during lunch and hear about the settlement during dinner.

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October 10, 2007

Developing a Lean Supply Chain (Successfully)

Jargonistic business/technology terms often seem like good ideas on paper that ultimately are not adopted successfully in the real world. "Lean" is one such term. But if wholly embraced, lean manufacturing is not simply a way to cut costs quickly.

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October 9, 2007

Next-Gen Lemonade Stand Enables Maximum Value from Unused Assets

Assuming lean manufacturing applies to getting the most from valuable unused physical assets, there's a new way to accomplish this. It involves referring equipment or commodities to prospective buyers. A brand new e-commerce Web site, Lemonade.com, allows anyone or any company to use its platform and delivery system as a simple means to distribute and sell products and services for free.

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October 8, 2007

Round 'em Up: Indicators and Activities

Faced with slower growth and increasing uncertainties in various markets, business owners are keeping a positive outlook for the near future. Here's a look at the economic developments so far this month and how they may affect your business.

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October 5, 2007

Light Friday: From Russia with Love...

... Awards for Silly Science and More!

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October 4, 2007

Highlights and Lowlights of Tentative UAW-GM Contract

A week after they walked off the job in a nationwide strike that lasted two days, UAW members began to vote on the union's tentative contract with GM on Monday. If union members approve the contract, within the next four years the automaker could close as many as four more factories than it previously announced.

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October 3, 2007

We're Up to the Races

Fingers crossed, the Rocket Racing League's first plane will blast off from the Mojave Desert this month.

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October 2, 2007

Losing Touch: Why DIY?

Doing it yourself enables you to get exactly what you want. But are the do-it-yourself (DIY) principles of the past in decline today? Have we lost our manual competence?

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10 Off-the-Wall Projects

To help get your creative juices flowing, here we look at 10 DIY projects that fall somewhere between remarkable and ridiculous. MacGyver would be proud.

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Burning Question

Are basic DIY skills -- building things, fixing things, etc. -- really in decline?

Biz Startup Basics

About 7 percent of the U.S. population is in the process of starting a business at any given time, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Here are some basic need-to-knows for starting your own.

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How to Be Good to Your Buyers

Although preferred qualities of a great supply chain partner are specific to each relationship, some characteristics are expected by most. Here are the 10 most common qualities that buyers look for in their vendors.

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DIY Home Energy Audits

Even if you and your family don't want to plunge into an "off-the-grid" lifestyle, you can put your BTU use on a DIYet. Here are some tips for performing an informal energy audit and cutting energy costs in your home.

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They Shoot Good Ideas, Don't They?

Good ideas come from doing things differently, exploring new territory and taking risks. Yet while most of us today claim to value creative thinking and thinkers, great ideas die all the time. Why?

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Patenting & Marketing 101

Having a brilliant new idea isn't enough to "break through," as there is also plenty of hard work required in filing a patent and then selling your product or service. Consider these steps, and your great idea could be the next big thing.

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How to Cope with a Dysfunctional Workplace

Today's business world is full of research that offers "no-fail" suggestions to improve various strategies, processes and relationships. Of course, most of it makes the mistake of assuming that the people and companies being addressed are functional -- which is delusional at best.

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October 1, 2007

Enforcing Inspection in Indian Piracy

With 12 percent of its citizens engaged in industry, India has some of the toughest copyright laws in the world. Yet knockoff automotive parts still threaten ethical manufacturers there and elsewhere.

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September 28, 2007

Light Friday: The Debauchery Edition

... Calculator Anniversary, MIT Entrance Exam, the Old Tablecloth Trick, Corporate Slogans, Cost of Living, Loonie Dollars, Dancers, Dawn and MORE.

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September 27, 2007

Employment Expectations for October '07

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations have released their monthly SHRM/Rutgers LINE Employment Expectations Report for October 2007, providing industry insights on hiring and recruiting.

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September 26, 2007

Investing in Education: The Under-/Overqualified Seesaw

A speech given by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to the Chamber of Commerce this week has gotten us thinking once again about education and its role in industry's future workforce.

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September 25, 2007

Follow-up: Mattel's Apology Lost in Translation

After a long, hot summer of criticism and media-flamed suspicion over the safety of Chinese-made products, an executive of the Mattel toy company met with China's top product safety official on Friday to issue an apology. What the apology was for and to whom it was directed, however, were lost in translation.

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Follow-up: No Contract, No Work

Detroit must be abuzz, as union workers at General Motors left the assembly lines yesterday after management and United Auto Workers (UAW) leaders failed to come to terms on a new four-year labor pact.**

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September 24, 2007

The China Supply Chain Bottleneck

Many companies have looked to Asia for product sourcing in the pursuit for lower costs. Yet as they rush to source from China, companies in North America and Europe could be walking into a strategic trap with higher overall costs and reduced profitability, according to a recent report. What can businesses do?

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September 21, 2007

Light Friday: Out-of-Office Replies, Custer's Last Stand, For the Four-Day Workweek...

... Boeing and Deities, Dying Languages, Unfunny Videos and MUCH MORE.

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September 20, 2007

Auto-Union Talks Labor On

Bargainers for General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have been haggling over a new contract that recently expired. Intense negotiations have stalled, restarted, recessed, came back and nearly collapsed. And that's just over the past few days. Now they continue.

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September 19, 2007

Space Race 2.0

Last week, Google and X PRIZE Foundation offered a multimillion-dollar prize to the first team to land a rover on the moon. Let's not be shy. If you have the experience, and connections for launching expertise, systems guidance robotics, telecommunications and a source for funding, this is your big chance.

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September 18, 2007

Get Safe and Sound

Between threats of natural calamities and innumerable workplace hazards, ensuring security and safety in business requires a multi-faceted focus on communication and culture.

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China Declares War on Dangerous Products

Last month the Chinese government declared a four-month "special war" against poor product quality and lack of supervision as focus on safety concerns over Chinese products continues worldwide.

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America's Deadliest Jobs

Overall, workplace fatalities edged down last year to 5,703 from 5,734 in 2005, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many of us, the most dangerous part of the workday is the commute, but for many others, each workday is risky business.

Burning Question

Is national security worth compromising individual privacy?

100% Screening and Other Cargo Insecurities

Transportation systems seem particularly attractive targets for terrorists nowadays. Growing concern over these types of attacks' catastrophic consequences has led to measures for increasing physical security.

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R U \/uln3r4bl3?

New technologies bring productivity increases and convenience benefits -- as well as new threats. When unethical people exploit computer systems and mobile devices, your business and personal data become all the more open to risk. ARE YOU VULNERABLE?

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Action at WTC Site

Six years later, the World Trade Center site is a 16-acre pit surrounded by a chain-link fence. Finally, after years of delays, construction recently began to proceed at Ground Zero, timetables now exist and exciting designs for the post-9/11 ground have been unveiled.

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Prevent Forklift Fatalities

Each year tens of thousands of injuries related to powered industrial trucks, or forklifts, occur in workplaces nationwide. Such accidents also kill more than 100 workers a year. Ensure your company doesn't add to these statistics.

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Is Driving Small Less Safe?

Older car buyers formed their impressions of small car safety at a time, decades ago, when their ability to protect occupants in a collision left much to be desired. Today that mentality is increasingly coming under question, particularly as more consumers are thinking smaller.

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September 17, 2007

The State of Manufacturing in Mexico

Mexican Independence Day took place yesterday, and to celebrate our amigos south of the border, we offer some facts and impressions of the country's industrial success.

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September 14, 2007

Just When You Thought Spam Couldn't Be a Bigger Pain...

As the Web evolves into an increasingly essential part of everyday life, the sheer volume of spam grows exponentially every year -- and so too do the sophisticated tactics used to send it. Now there's an even sneakier one.

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September 13, 2007

Rising Cost of Health Insurance Slowing -- But Still Rising

Despite slowing, increases in the cost of health insurance premiums continue to be greater than those of inflation and wages, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports this week. Try not to get sick, folks.

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September 12, 2007

Data-Mining Program Scrapped Amid Privacy Failings

The Homeland Security Department is ditching a controversial data-mining program that was capable of analyzing one billion pieces per hour of "structured" information, such as databases, and one million pieces per hour of "unstructured" information, such as intelligence reports, e-mail, news articles and blogs. Oh, those pesky privacy laws.

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September 11, 2007

Patent Reform: David and Goliath

If you read the legislation summary that the House passed last week, it doesn't look so bad at first glance. Yet there are unresolved issues that could change the pace of innovation dramatically and alter who gets rewarded radically.

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September 10, 2007

Economic Update: August 2007

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recent report on unemployment noted that "continuing job losses in manufacturing and construction, slower job growth in some service-providing industries and declines in local government education" contributed to the recent weakness in payroll employment. The overall unemployment rate held at 4.6 percent during August.

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September 7, 2007

Light Friday: Harnessing Body Heat, Unlikely Mentors, Water's Early Journey...

...Helicopter Turns 100, "Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys," Gaming for Homeland Security, 4 billion Phone Lines and MORE.

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September 6, 2007

Top Hiring Mistakes Made by Small Businesses

Hiring the right people can make a world of difference in the success of a small business. Yet many business owners do not approach hiring effectively and efficiently. In fact, many often make the same mistakes.

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September 5, 2007

How You Look at the Figures: Exports Make All the Difference

Although growth in the manufacturing sector slowed in August, one bright spot for the U.S. economy has been the sector's exports, whose growth accelerated last month. Making the decision to export requires careful assessment, planning, marketing and financing.

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September 4, 2007

By the Numbers: In the Workforce

We're doing more with less these days. Let's see just how well we're holding up. Here we break down the employment and productivity numbers into bite-size helpings.

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Labor Crisis! Panic on the Streets! Doomsday! Really?

Interest in the labor market behavior of the Baby Boom generation continues unabated. To some, it seems to be a crisis; but like any crisis, it is also an opportunity to seize — or to squander.

Attain, Retain and Manage Top Talent

Job loyalty is waning these days, thus the intensity of retaining top talent. Once the realm of HR departments, talent retention has expanded and is now a high priority for corporate executives.

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Burning Question

How have office politics affected your career?

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Breaking Down the Door

Do you sit at your job, watching the clock tick and wishing the day would end? If you feel it may be time for a change in your job or career path, get the ball rolling with these tips and considerations.

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How to Get a Raise

It may not buy happiness, but more money can certainly rid you of some aggravations standing in the way of happiness. Negotiating and getting a raise, however, is not the simplest of tasks.

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Understanding Employee Benefits

Neither executives nor their employees are happy with the state of company benefits programs. It doesn't help that many employees don't understand what their company is providing.

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Office Politics: Playing the Game with Dignity

Even when you're out to get something done — not to do someone in — you have to play office politics. Fortunately, you can "play the game" ethically, getting ahead while retaining integrity.

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Relax into Retirement

A high percentage of workers recognize today's retirement system is undergoing major changes, yet many are failing to adapt in ways that will leave them well positioned for a comfortable retirement.

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August 31, 2007

Scandal, Ego and Inflated Self-Worth Deserve Big Bucks

As the nation prepares to celebrate a Labor Day holiday that will see the first increase in the federal minimum wage in a decade, a malicious new report gleefully attacks our CEO class, showing that the gap in pay and compensation between workers and bosses is growing.

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August 30, 2007

Brand Extensions Seek New Revenue Streams

With all the new products that are flooding the marketplace, shelf space is a precious commodity that has allowed retailers to call much of the supply chain shots. Can wisely executing brand extensions help businesses, well, stay in business?

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August 29, 2007

Old is New Again for Military Manufacturing

From weapons to transport, the military has long been a catalyst for new, cutting-edge technology. Now a different strategy is taking place in military forces throughout the world, as a string of recent developments involves the resuscitation or recycling of retired military machines.

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August 28, 2007

Test & Measurement Market Showing Growth

Over the past few years, the test and measurement (T&M) market has slowly but steadily worked toward rebuilding itself and is now projected to grow markedly, due in no small part to emerging application areas in communication.

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August 27, 2007

Immigration and a Reverse Brain Drain?

The huge backlog in U.S. immigration visas is leading to a "reverse brain drain" that will force skilled workers to return to their home country and result in a subsequent decline in U.S. competitiveness, a new study shows. Is what's good for business good for America?

August 24, 2007

Light Friday: Contaminated Chicken for Children, SOX Gets Star Treatment, Rocket-Powered Arm...

...Help Organize Galaxies, DeLorean Back in the Future, Space Station's POV of Hurricane Dean and MORE!

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August 23, 2007

Tax Incentives: Worthwhile Renewed Scrutiny or Worn-out Issue?

In an ongoing effort to attract economic development to areas in the U.S. and remain competitive, states offer new and existing incentive programs for potential business and industry. Critics say it's gotten out of hand and do little for the economy. Here we go again.

August 22, 2007

Global Supply Chain Woes from the Pros

Despite all the fancy supply chain technology that firms have implemented, or in some cases, tried to implement, there seems reason to be very concerned that even "leading-edge" manufacturers still can't get their arms around what appear to be basic concepts of supply meeting demand.

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August 21, 2007

The Right Stuff

Apathy, budget cuts and growing global competition ... despite a number of concerns, the worldwide aerospace and defense market is on track to grow by more than 19 percent by 2011.

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Does This Spacesuit Make Me Look Fat?

For the last seven years, MIT engineers have been designing a new, slimmer spacesuit that features full range of motion for the astronaut -- one small step for space fashion, one giant leap for space travel.

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Composites Taking Off

Although they represent a relatively small segment of the aerospace industry, the lightweight materials offer both enormous untapped potential and formidable challenges to designers and manufacturers.

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Burning Question

Would funding spent on space exploration be better suited elsewhere?

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To Go Where Few Have Gone Before

Space is for sale, so start saving now. Despite recent setbacks, the nascent commercial spaceflight industry continues to heat up. From civilian Moon trips to an Earth-orbit hotel, space tourism is booming.

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Tips for Tightening and Testing

Even the smallest errors in aerospace projects can prove expensive, or worse, fatal. Overtorquing or undertorquing can easily lead to malfunctions and failure, and high shaker forces caused by overtesting can damage expensive payloads.

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Complexities in the 3D Space

Designers today must be able to create designs that can be adapted to various customer needs quickly and easily while remaining profitable. Many manufacturers and engineers are turning to 3D modeling to ease the burden, but not without challenges.

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Things to Do on the Moon

NASA consulted more than 1,000 people from businesses, academia and 13 international space agencies to come up with a master list of potential Lunar objectives and, earlier this year, released a list of "181 good ideas."

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Sticky Fingers at Work

A new report says that $94 million worth of NASA office equipment has gone "missing" over the past 10 years. Whether due to worker dissatisfaction, a sense of entitlement, the thrill of the steal or plain old absentmindedness, the five-finger discount is all too common in almost every workplace.

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August 20, 2007

Manufacturers Hungry for Tech

U.S. manufacturing technology consumption in June was up 5.1 percent from May and 0.4 percent from June 2006, according to the latest numbers reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption program.

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August 17, 2007

Light Friday: The Cool and the Crazy in Energy

... Wearable Power Prize, Over-caffeinated, Ersatz Hurricane, Crowd Farm, Jet Beetle and MORE!

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August 16, 2007

Pumped Up Prices and Productivity

Energy prices are up, the Producer Price Index is up, and consumer imports have fallen. The trade gap dropped slightly in May, and exports rose in the first half of 2007. Can manufacturers support the economy until housing can help next year? And will IT play a significant role?

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August 15, 2007

Another Blow to the Toy Titan

Mattel Inc. has announced it is recalling more than 18 million Chinese-made toys worldwide, including nine million in the U.S., citing dangerous levels of lead paint and small, powerful magnets in certain dolls, figures, play sets and accessories. The toymaker has now issued two massive recalls in as many weeks. Here are the facts for consumers, as well as some recall tips for manufacturers.

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August 14, 2007

How Much Is that Forest Worth?

Roughly $10 billion was lost to wildfires in 2002. But aircraft can make a real difference in the fight to protect people and trees.

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August 13, 2007

Design and Replacement: Of the Collapsed Minneapolis Bridge

Investigators last week said they found what may be a design flaw in the interstate highway bridge that collapsed over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis earlier this month. Steel gusset plates are raising design and safety concerns for bridges nationwide as a plan to replace the bridge is on the fastest of fast tracks.

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August 10, 2007

Spacing Out on Light Friday: The Endeavour Edition

Teacher in Space, Shuttle Makeover, Globalization Beyond Earth, Electric Light Orchestra and Your Age on Other Worlds!

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August 9, 2007

Choose Your Fasteners Carefully

The company that provided the epoxy blamed in Boston's fatal Big Dig tunnel collapse was indicted yesterday in the death of a motorist crushed by falling ceiling panels. Testing fasteners can help avoid injury, litigation, a bad reputation and myriad other headaches. Here are some things to consider.

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August 8, 2007

Where the Offshore Outsourcers Offshore Outsource

India has long been the offshore outsourcing hot spot for companies around the world to send parts of their business to cut costs. But where do India's outsourcers outsource?

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August 7, 2007

Procurement Trends & Tips

Between mounting materials prices, skittish supply and inefficient p-card programs, today's procurement professionals are facing intense issues ... but have the tools and know-how to overcome them.

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How to Make the Relationship Work

Relationships are critical to any organization anywhere in the world. Yet when it comes to buyers and suppliers, managing and developing relationships can make or break a top-notch business strategy.

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The State of the Buying Profession

Purchasing managers, buyers and agents are key components of a firm's supply chain. The following is a rundown of salary and discipline trends, as well as the state of the sourcing job function.

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A Darker Shade of Green

As demand for environmentally preferable purchasing increases, "greenwashing" — the practice of misleading purchasers about the environmental benefits of a product or service — is reemerging as a key concern.

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Burning Question

Is buying/selling "green" worth it?

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Winning at Risk

Risk isn't a game in the supply chain, as any number of supply/demand disruptions can wreak havoc on the bottom line. That is why anticipating and managing risk is a critical skill for procurement professionals.

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Lost in the Andes

Sometime between March and May this year, the Chileans carelessly misplaced an entire glacial lake in the country's Andes. The 100-foot-deep body of water just kind of disappeared.

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Driving Down Car Costs

Small, no-frills subcompact cars are already selling in India and Eastern Europe at prices in the $7,000 range. Now the race is on to sell new cars for even less: $3,000 and under.

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Big Concerns for Small Manufacturers

The state of the economy, taxes and the cost of materials ranked as the three leading concerns of small manufacturers in 2007's second quarter, according to last month's Small Business Research Board study.

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August 6, 2007

How Much to Gamble Today for Tomorrow

Deciding how much to spend toward innovation deserves careful consideration. A company that creates an environment in which employees feel R&D is essential will result in a steady flow of new products to please customers.

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August 3, 2007

Light Friday: "Alternative" Combat, Workplace Princesses, Sideways Bike...

...Dumbo Octopus, Underwater Bots and That Friday Feeling.

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August 2, 2007

Two Tales of Terror/Tragedy

Fisher-Price last night announced a massive recall of nearly 1 million toys worldwide that are coated with paint believed to contain dangerous levels of lead. Also last night, an Interstate highway bridge in downtown Minneapolis loaded with rush-hour traffic dropped more than 60 ft. into the Mississippi River.

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Manufacturing Inched Along in July

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the sixth consecutive month, according to data in the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) latest monthly Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. Meanwhile, the overall economy grew for the 69th consecutive month, say purchasing and supply managers nationwide.

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August 1, 2007

Tax Increases: A Reader's Guide

For a decade, the focus in Congress was which taxes to cut. That's about to change — in a very big way. Meanwhile, as Congress, candidates and their campaigns focus so much of their attention on taxes, more than one-third of U.S. workers say that presidential candidates are not adequately addressing key workplace issues.

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July 31, 2007

Domestic Auto Parts Makers Bidding Farewell?

Domestic manufacturers in North America and Europe are facing even more challenges, as the high-end edge they have held now seems to be receding. As such, an increasing number of diversified manufacturers are "abandoning the U.S. automobile industry, selling off auto-related businesses and beefing up other parts of their portfolios," according to a Wall Street Journal report.

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July 30, 2007

Tit for Tat: China-U.S. Food Fight Escalates

The Chinese yuan and counterfeit products are losing out in international attention to the ongoing spat over food quality trade disputes between the U.S. and China. Shortly after China's unwelcome publicity over charges of tainted food and other products, the country retaliated earlier this month by suspending the import of poultry and pork products from several major American producers.

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July 27, 2007

Light Friday: Quadruple Sunsets, Eco-Friendly Littering, Flying Car Hits Production...

… Guttenberg Sold Separately, $207 Million in Cash and MORE.

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July 26, 2007

The Business Costs of Acts of God

Hurricane season extends through November, and despite a downgraded forecast for devastating storms, experts still expect the 2007 season to be more active than last year. Are your insurance policies up to date to protect your assets from hurricane damage? Is your business prepared?

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July 25, 2007

Process Industries Transforming Old Supply Chain Strategies

Companies in the process industries now widely realize that they must restructure their supply chains to take out costs and maintain their customer service edge. Best-in-class companies are ahead of their peers in aggressively adopting technology and making other changes, a recent Aberdeen report found.

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July 24, 2007

Is Your Lean LAME?

Lean, or the elimination of muda ("waste"), is an ongoing process; half-hearted attempts to institute it will always fail. Here are some signs that your lean effort may be L.A.M.E.: "Lean As Misguidedly Executed."

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Getting Serious about Energy Efficiency

Accepting the current and long-term trend of oil, natural gas and coal prices, increasingly more energy-hungry businesses plan to invest in energy efficiency measures to help fight rising costs and optimize power.

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Working Hard or Hardly Working?

Our workdays are getting longer, but we are squandering valuable minutes, hours -- even entire days. Although no one seems to agree on how much time we're frittering away, the unanimous conclusion is it's costing companies billions of dollars.

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Burning Question

The federal minimum wage increase goes into effect today. What impact will it have, if any?

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Designed for Efficiency and Destruction

The design, construction, renovation and demolition of buildings accounts for literally tons of wasted materials, not to mention energy. Some ways to minimize building waste start from designing for destruction.

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Waste Watchers

The following reduction tips are designed to reduce the amount of waste in the office environment, including paper, power and productivity... yes, your office can be just as lean as your factory.

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The Toyota Way Forward

A recent series of interviews with Toyota's president provides great insight into not only the fabled Toyota Production System, but also the automaker's long-term strategy, which involves a combination of kaizen ("continuous improvement) and kakushin ("innovation," or radical renewal).

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What Is Your Idea Worth?

Infringement of intellectual property rights undermines long-term progress in innovation, which is why many businesses should be realizing that their IP may be the most valuable asset they own. It may also be the most under-appreciated asset.

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Nuclear Waste in Nevada to Wait

Having faced stiff opposition since its inception, the national Yucca Mountain Repository, an underground storage facility for nuclear waste in Nevada, won't open for at least a decade.

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July 23, 2007

Minimum Wage Hike Takes Effect Tomorrow

In May, Congress passed and President Bush signed the first federal minimum wage increase in a decade. Tomorrow's increase, the first of three planned through 2009, is expected both to provide only meager help for workers and to have minimal impact on most employers nationwide.

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July 20, 2007

Light Friday: Hugs, Wigs and Jeeves...

... New Moon Frank, Chinook's Checkers and The Great (Fake) Internet Crash of 2007!

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July 19, 2007

Quake in Japan Causes Nuclear and Automotive Shutdowns

Monday's earthquake in Japan was not only the deadliest earthquake in the tremor-prone country since October 2004, it's also turning out to be one of the most costly in terms of the country's nuclear and automotive industries.

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July 18, 2007

Drilling Holes, Understanding Quakes, Saving Lives

Monday's massive earthquake in Japan rightly demands that we pause to reflect on many things, not the least of which is the frailty of human life. So far technology hasn't advanced enough to enable avoiding such large-scale destruction and loss of life in the future. But geologists, engineers and roughnecks are working on that.

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July 17, 2007

4 Tips for Determining the Right Lender

Smart businesses look beyond today's interest rates for a lender that can serve the broader interests of the company, according to GE Commercial Finance Corporate Lending President and CEO Tom Quindlen. Here are four key attributes Quindlen says small business owners should consider when seeking smarter capital and determining the right lender.

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July 16, 2007

The Differences Between Top Shops and Mediocre Shops

In its second annual survey of machine shops, American Machinist has identified key indicators and best practices that lead to improved productivity and profitability for machine shops in the U.S. In addition to the 15 differentiators listed, this article addresses Kaizen event factors most critical to short-term and long-term performance improvement.

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July 13, 2007

Light Friday: The Wisdom of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Redford and Newman on Industrial Market Trends? IMT turning into AMC? Not really, but I guess this is a little different.

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July 12, 2007

Carbon Fiber is Taking Off... Again

You'd be hard-pressed to classify carbon fiber as an exciting new material. It sure can be exciting, but truth be told, this stuff has been around for awhile. Yet exciting developments indicate that the use of carbon fiber as a safe and efficient compound to build the unthinkable continues to gain traction.

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July 11, 2007

China's Rise and Reckoning

China's economy has seen staggering growth over the past few decades, and the country's manufacturing sector has skyrocketed in recent years. Yet the growth model behind this success is showing signs of anxiety: excess capacity; trade-surplus criticism among principal trading partners; exports straining global supply chains; dramatic wage increases and, of course, the country's public image amidst lethal safety failings.

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July 10, 2007

Simmer Down Now! How Workers Can Beat the Heat

Extreme heat in the workplace is more than an issue of discomfort. Hot surfaces and steam, sweaty palms and slippery hands, dehydration, the ever-present threat of heat stress -- all of this spells danger in the workplace. Here's how you can stay safe and healthy.

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Summer Hooky

More than a third of workers in the U.S. are stricken with a case of Seasonal Absence Syndrome (SAS), i.e., calling in sick to enjoy a day off, according to a recent survey. This summertime workplace hooky is fueling the issue of employers balancing the needs of employees and the business.

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Cool Vacation Spots for Geeks like Me

Before we use up our precious vacation time, we need to figure out where to go and what to do. There are so many options. A cruise? A major museum? An underwater hotel? Consider some of these classic vacation ideas for engineers and geeks like me.

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Burning Question

Does your job provide you with enough time off?

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Here Comes the Sun -- and Its Power

Demand for energy is expected to triple by 2050, and new investment and technology will be vital to easing the pressure on traditional sources. Harnessing the sun's power is one increasingly popular, if still flawed, option.

Firing Up the Heatless Laser

Scientists have long known that ultrashort pulse (USP) laser technology could cut with precision without generating heat, but now scientists and engineers are at work shrinking the laboratory behemoths down to desktop Internet appliances that are "plug and play."

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American Workers Not Wanted

H-1B visas have lately come under fire due to abuse stemming from loopholes in the program's current form. Then there's the commotion over whether firms are deliberately not posting jobs where U.S. workers can find them. Global competition for talent is intense, yet the debate over the way to acquire talent is just as heated.

Hug Me, Don't Hassle Me: The Hypersensitive Workplace

An article about zero tolerance for workplace jerks received sky-high readership in our last issue. Yet a number of readers also noted the benefits of tough love, pointing to rampant oversensitivity and political correctness in today's business world. This counterargument asks: Where does rudeness end and harassment begin? And when does support for employees turn into handholding?

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Taming Your On-the-Job Daydreaming

Nice days and sweltering temperatures during the summer can make it difficult to stay focused on the task at hand. Daydreaming, for one, can cut deeply into productivity. Mental clutter, head on overdrive -- we've all been there. Here is some soothing relief for your... oooh, to be on the beach!

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Bonus IMT at the Movies

Summer is traditionally the time for blockbuster entertainment, and this year's box office is no exception. But for a handful of movies this season, there's more than meets the eye. Here we look at a few of this summer's blockbusters and the real-world implications of the subject matter: pirates, robots, shipbuilding, health care and even cooking (for engineers).

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July 9, 2007

Making a Game out of the Big Three's Strategy

It's no secret that the U.S. auto industry is nearing the end of its once-dominant position. The Big Three's strategy now seems to be a renewed emphasis on profitability rather than blindly going after market share. The strategy might eventually pay off, not only for the auto industry but also for other big companies with big problems. Or not.

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July 6, 2007

Light Friday: The Mustard Belt, National AC Policy, Fragrant Lawsuit...

... Ethanol's Downside, Fixing the Internet, Vintage Car Race and your last chance to vote on the New 7 Wonders of the World!

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July 5, 2007

U.S. Manufacturing Expanded in June

Activity at the nation's factories, plants and utilities expanded modestly in June while price pressures eased, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth for manufacturing industries and the 68th consecutive month of growth for the overall economy, according to the latest monthly ISM report. New orders, production and employment contributed to growth, while inventories supported some contraction.

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July 3, 2007

Fourth of July: By the Numbers

Thirty-eight percent of July Fourth travelers hit the road last Friday, making a week-long trip out of the holiday. Assuming at least a handful of people are at work and biding time at the computer until tomorrow's federal holiday (i.e., day off from work), this post is for the rest of you.

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Science While You Ooh and Aah

In between the "oohing" and "ahhing" directed towards the brilliant colors, dramatic patterns and bombastic sounds of this week's July Fourth fireworks displays, you might take a moment to admire the impressive manufacture numbers and awesome display of chemistry and physics, too.

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July 2, 2007

O Canada: With Glowing Hearts We See Thee Rise

Although struggling Canadian manufacturers and their employees are worried about the future, the manufacturing sector is not quite grave. Yet it is changing, and its competitive future will likely be much smaller and more productive with a highly skilled but trim workforce — some good news as our northern neighbors celebrate Canada Day.

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June 29, 2007

Super Light Friday: We Will Not Be Reviewing the New iPhone!

We will, however, weigh in on the guy who's been on line for the much-hyped Apple phone since Monday morning, as well as discuss: a fleet of 29,000 rubber ducks helping ocean scientists; just how rich the richest of the rich are getting; exactly how to give a great man-to-man hug; and a bunch of other need-to-knows. Folks, it seemed like it'd never arrive, but Friday's finally here.

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June 28, 2007

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Tumble 2.8% in May

Orders for U.S. durable goods fell more than forecast in May, the first report to cast doubt on the strength of the rebound in business investment.

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China Food Crackdown Shuts 180 Factories

Chinese media are reporting that authorities have shut down 180 food factories and revoked 37 processing licenses of food makers after inspectors found industrial chemicals in products.

June 27, 2007

Mixed Outlook for Hiring and Salaries

Once again, the forecast for the labor market appears mixed. Herein are the latest figures on hiring expectations in manufacturing and service sectors, the outlook for salaries and incomes, and a breakdown of annual compensation of supply management professionals.

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June 26, 2007

Weak Signals and Happy Accidents

Weak signals can be defined as imprecise, early indicators of an impending important event or trend. And in today's rapidly changing business environment, being aware of current weak signals can lead to reaping huge rewards from tomorrow's trend. This is no less applicable to managers.

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June 25, 2007

Toyota Putting Brakes on U.S. Plants

It seems Toyota has concluded that it has quite enough factories in the U.S. and it doesn't plan to build any more any time soon. Top Toyota executives are concerned the Japanese automaker may have built too many U.S. plants, in part to build political support by providing new jobs in lots of places.

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June 22, 2007

Light Friday: Pluto's Last Stand, 2007's Worst Jobs in Science, 15 Geeky Vacations...

... Fired Over Fair Pay/Paid Beyond Fair Pay, Damned Internet Terms, Brightest Supernova Ever and MORE.

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June 21, 2007

Chemical Costs and Supply Pressures Drive Up Raw Materials Prices

Raw materials prices continue to cut into profits with little relief in sight. If prices continue to rise and solutions to these problems go unaddressed and worsen, they cannot help but undermine the future health of U.S. manufacturing.

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June 20, 2007

The State of the Federal Contracting Workforce

Although the total number of contracting professionals in the United States federal acquisition workforce has continued to grow, during the past year it grew far short of the contracting growth rate, according to new government data.

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June 19, 2007

Get a Personal Life

Companies are beginning to recognize signs of employee burnout, and, as a result, they are realizing that unless people can have balance in their lives, productivity will suffer. Because of this, many organizations are redesigning work to help encourage work-life balance. Yet only you can restore harmony to your life.

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The Civilized Workplace: No Jerks Allowed

An obnoxious coworker, a malicious manager, a bullying boss — there's no getting around it: today's workplace is beset with jerks. These people deliberately make coworkers and subordinates feel bad about themselves in our day-to-day working environment, and the human and financial toll is high.

The Mirage of Professional Gender Equality

The 21st century has been called the Woman's Century. Hillary Clinton is running for President, women are playing stronger roles in the workplace and the female profile is rising in many professional fields. So why does no one seem shocked that gender discrimination still lingers in the workplace today?

Burning Question

How do you deal with jerks on the job?

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Multitasking Terror

Meet with clients, check your e-mail, tighten the BlackBerry e-leash — how many balls are you juggling for work? While some experts believe multitasking is a viable solution in keeping productivity on the upswing, others disagree and even suggest it could make productivity worse.

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Is Telecommuting Right for You?

Perhaps in response to the seemingly countless number of horrors in the workplace, telecommuting is continuing to gain in popularity among small and large firms alike. Could it work well for you and your employer? Here we consider the "why" and "how" to do it and do it successfully.

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Stop, Collaborate and Listen!

Meeting today's challenges of global competition means leveraging all your company's intellectual assets around the idea of unified common processes and systems. So if the knowledge shared between employees and employers plays such a crucial role in a company's future, why do so many of them continue to have poor workplace communication?

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What Was I Looking For?

Irrelevant Web browsing now has a name: "wilfing," as in "What Was I Looking For?" Meanwhile, Internet "addiction" is a growing concern to some. Plus, there's the very real threat of e-mail overload. How much Internet is too much, and what can we do about online productivity killers?

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Innovation Mastery Wins in Las Vegas

The theme of last week's Managing Automation-hosted Progressive Manufacturing Summit in Las Vegas, Nev., may have been "Connecting the Enterprise," but the underlying — and perhaps more telling — theme in experts' discussions seemed to be the tangibility of innovation: What is it, and how do companies master it? What happened in Vegas… isn't staying in Vegas.

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June 18, 2007

Global 3PL Industry Swells

The relentless growth and expansion of global third-party logistics (3PL) now puts the industry at an estimated $390 billion. Last year, the global 3PL industry experienced double-digit growth, which is expected to continue unabated as increasingly more companies do business abroad.

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June 15, 2007

Coffeecoffeecoffee! Cappuccino! Java!

Sure, it's a drug, but it also keeps you awake and alert. It also appears to have an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type-2 diabetes and Parkinson's. And nearly eight in 10 Americans imbibe. Is coffee friend or foe? Here comes the science.

June 14, 2007

Mixed Messages, Elusive Truths or Back-Stabbing?

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, "China's buildup of currency reserves to suppress the [value of the] yuan has doubled, from about $20 billion a month to over $40 billion a month." This is echoed in The New York Times, which reports that "China uses its export revenue to buy dollars so the value of the yuan is seen as artificially low."

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June 13, 2007

The Summit So Far: 2007 Progressive Manufacturing Event

Among the blackjack tables, roulette wheels, blue hairs and all-you-can-eat buffets here in Las Vegas, Nev., there is also an event taking place this week for technology and business managers: the 2007 Progressive Manufacturing Summit, in which experts in enterprises across industry sectors are meeting to discuss the current and future developments of manufacturing technology and processes. **UPDATED**

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RFID 'Evangelist' Still Spinning Wheels

For many CIOs, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is still a scary technology. Having been around for decades but re-ignited a few years ago when a little company called Wal-Mart started bullying its suppliers with a flaky RFID "mandate," the unfounded hype surrounding RFID has done much more harm than good.

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June 12, 2007

Engineers Blast Away Threats to Bridges

Unlike ancient bridge builders, who used walls and roofs to keep underlying structures from rotting and rusting, today's engineers are working on ways to protect bridges from terrorists. "Government officials have acknowledged the transportation system's vulnerability to terrorist attacks. Bridges are among the most vulnerable," according to an announcement from the University of Missouri College of Engineering.

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June 11, 2007

Beverage Makers Widen Global Reach

When it comes to creating exciting new products for consumers, the beverage industry does a better job than many other verticals; the myriad flavor combinations and the creation of the popular energy drink category are proof positive. So what happens when these younger revenue streams begin to show signs of maturing?

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June 8, 2007

Light Friday: Skin Cells Behaving Like Stem Cells, Tonight's Shuttle Launch, Ford Beats Toyota (Seriously)...

... Lunar Violence, BEAR Bots on the Battlefield, Qualified but Unemployed, the Weight of the Internet, Europe's First Biodiesel Express, and we ask: Does "Heartbeat of America" Mean Anything to You?

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June 7, 2007

Almost 2 Years Later, Few Cranes Seen on New Orleans Skyline

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, many developers announced plans to build high-rises there. Yet 20 months after the storm, many haven't gotten off the ground. While construction and insurance costs have soared, a more pressing issue remains: there is still no comprehensive rebuilding blueprint, and funding is falling far short of planners' expectations.

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June 6, 2007

U.S. Economy: Sinking, Stalling or Shaping Up?

The Commerce Department's first-quarter revision shows that the U.S. economy this winter stalled to its slowest pace since late 2002, due in no small part to slower business production and, in particular, a massive trade deficit. Because most economists agree that the economy probably bottomed out in the first three months of the year, the good news (if you can call it that) may be that there is no direction for the economy to go but up.

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June 5, 2007

The State of Architecture in America

Builders, suppliers, real estate agents and potential house buyers all have an ear to the ground. The numerous professions and fields associated with construction and real estate make up one of the largest components of the U.S. economy. Here we look at the current highs and lows of new construction, equipment exports and the architectural workforce.

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Built to Last ... and Dance and Heal and Think

Bridges in the near future may be able to withstand catastrophic earthquakes by literally "jumping" off the ground and "dancing." Meanwhile, a nano-polymer may enable building walls to self-heal their cracks. And what exactly does a realistic home of the future look like?

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Building for Tomorrow

Energy plays more of a role in building and design than ever before, and it has just as much to do with health and the environment as it does with operations and the bottom line. We have entered an era in which a building's energy productivity looms ever larger as a factor in business and global competition.

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Burning Question

Yay or nay to nuclear energy?

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Upward Bound

The race for the world's tallest skyscraper is not simply about civic pride, nor is it solely motivated by architects and engineers' vainglorious ambition. Sure, record-breaking skyscrapers confer prestige, and the vanity factor may be in play, but building taller also boosts business.

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Construction Cleans Up On the Road

Fuel efficiency and emissions are increasingly vital factors in the truck choice a company makes when deciding to lease or buy new or used. Whether you're a one-man show who needs a knock-around pickup or a huge enterprise hauling materials for clients nationwide with a fleet of state-of-the-art, heavy-duty trucks, consider these points.

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The Big Ditch Gets a Lot Bigger

To handle booming maritime traffic and massive ships, a $5.25 billion waterway project is underway to expand and modernize the Panama Canal, a nearly century-old engineering marvel that still handles 5 percent of today's world trade.

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A Nuclear Revival: Are We Ready, Willing and Able?

Attitudes vary widely when it comes to nuclear energy, yet as nations look to strengthen energy security, meet future electricity needs and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, increasingly more companies are announcing their intentions to build new nuclear power plants or restart old ones. And who exactly will operate these plants?

Small Biz Bullets: The Outlook

Ma and Pa ain't dead, despite repeated cries that mega-chains are gobbling up all small businesses. In fact, small businesses remain the lifeblood of cities and towns across the U.S. So it is comforting to know that their owners' optimism is growing, as reflected in a highly regarded survey of small-biz owners and managers.

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June 4, 2007

China Blames Panama, Who Blames China, Whose Consequences Prove Fatal

We recently addressed the responsibility of "toxic toothpaste" and "poisonous pet food." Panama and at least three other Latin American countries recently seized tens of thousands of tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste sold under the brands "Excel" and "Mr. Cool," while the U.S. last week halted all imports of Chinese toothpaste to test for a chemical often used in antifreeze and brake fluid. The saga of wrongdoing and blame continues:

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June 1, 2007

Light Friday: Free Doughnuts Today, Top 5 Games to Play with Your Kids, Bendable TV Screen...

... Lawyer-turned-LEGO® Sculptor, Sci-Fi Writers Help Homeland Security, Lucy and Ricky and Ford, and MORE!

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May 31, 2007

The Award Goes to the Most Creative and Inefficient

The competition to design a Rube Goldberg-like machine began in 1949 by two engineering fraternities at Purdue, and was held until 1955. It was revived in 1983, and this year's task was to create a machine that could make juice from an orange and pour the juice from a pitcher into a cup — in more than 20 steps.

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Is Ford Making A Comeback?

Say what you will about Ford Motor Company — we certainly have — but the reality is that Ford's slash-and-burn strategy is showing albeit-slight signs that it is working. At least, that's what the automaker's top analyst thinks.

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May 30, 2007

Reuse Design Or Start from Scratch?

There's a lot to be said for entirely new and original design. However, the major benefit of design reuse is that starting with an already completed design allows engineers to avoid starting from scratch. It's an easy idea in theory, yet its challenges are many. Here's how best-in-class firms respond to the challenges of design reuse.

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May 29, 2007

Global Energy Use: To Keep Going and Going and Going...

Despite high world oil and natural gas prices, demand is expected to keep growing. Demand will be especially high in Asian countries outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation Development, according to the Energy Information Administration, which expects world energy consumption to climb by 57 percent through 2030. The industrial sector alone accounts for 27 percent of the total projected increase in liquid energy use.

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May 25, 2007

Light Friday: Towel Day, Patently Godly, Rock Paper Scissors...

... Spy Drone, Ball Deglosser, Green Yellow Cabs, Purple Gets Owned, Venus Near the Moon, Memorial Day and MORE!

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May 24, 2007

Universally Cheap and Poisonous?

Without all the facts, it's hard to place blame. Yet recent allegations of Chinese manufacturers including solvents in toothpaste that was shipped to Latin American countries, and contaminated pet food arriving in the U.S., raises serious questions about inspections, oversight and manufacturing miseries.

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May 23, 2007

The Big Boom: Freight Rates, Congestion, Capacity and Trade

At one point mid-last year, overcapacity contributed to declining rates for containerized shipping. Not anymore. This year shipping lines appear to be holding firmly to their positions, without giving in to rate reductions. It's Fleet Week, and the ship may have hit the fan.

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May 22, 2007

Clever Ideas for Creative Thinking

Some ideas are brilliant and complex, while others are good and simple. Creativity may be a haughty term, but businesses need it to stay innovative and competitive. You can also approach brainstorming in a practical way. Here are some tips on how to get your creative juices flowing.

Smart Manufacturing Machines

Tomorrow's machine tools will take the drudgery out of working with them. A smart machine can make real-time decisions about manufacturing processes, and with plenty of adaptive controls and better machine vision, operators will be able to spend more time on creative work and less time on repetitious tasks.

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Critical Biz Data: Gather, Store, Analyze, Repeat

Gathering and understanding accurate information is the lifeblood of businesses across all industries today. Critical data must be aggregated, searched, presented and analyzed -- no doubt, a complex process. Although technology is only part of the story, something big is happening in business intelligence.

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Burning Question

Will intelligent robots some day destroy us?

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With Packaging, It's the Thought that Counts

Counterfeiting may be wreaking havoc across the supply chain, but manufacturers are not without recourse, nor are they standing still. The arrival of a broad range of printable-electronics technologies, advancements in smart materials and a sizable market for RFID is making smarter packaging possible.

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Competitive Intelligence vs. Espionage

Business intelligence, corporate intelligence, manufacturing intelligence, industrial intelligence -- whatever you call it, we do it openly but prefer the target company be unaware. How do we pursue aggressive but legitimate competitive intelligence-collection activities without being liable for espionage?

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Employees Tell Managers to Shut Up and Listen

Famed French management theorist Henri Fayol said that management consists of five primary functions: planning, organizing, leading, coordinating and controlling. Yet the behavior of today's managers in several fundamental areas of practice — including listening to employees — is not meeting employees' expectations half the time, a new study says.

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Bots with Brains: Future Robotic Overlords?

Science fiction has portrayed machines capable of thinking and acting for themselves with a mixture of both anticipation and dread, but what was once the realm of fiction has yet again become the subject of serious debate as robots become more intelligent.

Street Smarts

From self-parking vehicles to those that know when getting too close can be dangerous, cars are getting smarter. Meanwhile, one major U.S. automaker is applying AI and knowledge-based technologies to its manufacturing process, and builders in urban areas are turning to space-saving automated parking garages.

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May 21, 2007

Who Will Compromise, and What Will Be Left of Them?

The purchase of Chrysler has been a huge story recently. The automaker aims to return to profits in '08, but the main hurdle lies in its ability to clinch a new contract with the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union that reduces costs, particularly for health care. Will a private company be tougher for the auto union to deal with because the owners could be uncompromising, or can private equity investors fix Chrysler for good without a confrontation with the union?

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May 18, 2007

Light Friday: Found -- 585 New Species and Richest Shipwreck Treasure Ever...

... Forever Stamps, Political Food Stamp Challenge, Britain's Animal-Human Hybrids and The Mineral Moon Mosaic!

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May 17, 2007

Visibility Forecast: Occasionally Poor, Moderate or Good, Best-in-Class

While many in the service industry grouse over Sarbanes-Oxley's demand for transparency, one of manufacturing's enduring buzzwords is visibility. In the early days of the industrial revolution, the foremen carried the information about worker productivity, and perhaps supply levels, to the boss. Today it can all be automated on the plant floor.

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May 16, 2007

Revisiting Distribution Center Site Selection

Speed to market is key in logistics today, and distribution centers (DCs) are increasingly central to helping shippers achieve success. When selecting a site for the DC or warehouse, however, there are many factors that must be taken into account to ensure the right site without running into unexpected requirements that can hamper future operational costs.

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May 15, 2007

The Rise of Digital Humans in Auto Manufacturing

With Chrysler selling off 80 percent of its assets and Ford Motor Co. considering a similar deal according to analysts, where does the American car industry go from here? You do what any self-respecting car exec would do to irritate the workforce further: invest in ergonomics research!

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May 14, 2007

Going Once... Going Twice... Chrysler's Sold!

What was billed as "a marriage made in heaven" that never lived up to the name has ended in a deal that puts a major U.S. automaker in the hands of a private equity group for the first time, unwinding a 1998 merger that was meant to create a trans-Atlantic automotive powerhouse.

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May 11, 2007

Light Friday: Fiscal Affirmative Action, Wig-Wearing Cycling, an Integer for Mother's Day...

... Better Spacesuit Glove, Urine in Space, Dell Dinosaur Donated, a DIY Sugar-Sculpting 3D Fabricator and MORE.

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May 10, 2007

The Hidden Cost of Chemicals on Manufacturing

Given that most manufacturers depend on chemicals for some form of production and that, as a raw material expense, chemical costs are a key driver of profitability, the impact of rising costs is severe. In fact, if current conditions in the rising cost and availability of chemicals persist, a quarter of U.S. manufacturers will move some production overseas, according to a new report from AMR Research and NAM.

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May 9, 2007

Afterword on Adjusting Inventory

How do you adjust inventory so that you never lose customers due to delays while minimizing excessive inventory that isn't generating profit? Here is a simple view of how to forecast demand, following yesterday's IMT on Logistics & Transportation.

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May 8, 2007

Shipping: What to Look For in 2007 and Beyond

After a period of high demand and tight capacity, shippers across most modes can expect some breathing room in 2007, with demand slowing and capacity loosening as the overall economy slows. Here are some snapshots of what logistics buyers are currently facing and what can be expected in the near future.

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The Big List of Logistics Quick Tips

Fully grasping the logistics of the supply chain isn't easy. What should be priorities? What questions do you ask? Where do you even begin? Here we address these questions and more in this one-stop need-to-know guide to Logistics 101, as well as offer some basic tips and additional sources for all your logistics needs.

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Burning Question

What impact do energy prices have on your business?

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Boost Profits with Ship-It-Now Mentality

Between storage, tracking, billing and hiring, warehouse managers face myriad challenges. Although most warehouse managers strive to reduce costs for customers, 60 percent were unable to accomplish this goal between 2004 and 2006. The following are some actions you can take to be in the other 40 percent.

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Remove the Pain from 'Return to Sender' Refrain

Product returns cost U.S. manufacturers and retailers $100 billion annually and can reduce a manufacturer's profitability by 3.8 percent. That is why reverse logistics is fast emerging as a core driver of competitive advantage and financial performance among manufacturing leaders.

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Confronting Toxins, Terrorism and Other Cargo Threats

Theft, construction and congestion have threatened reliability of transportation systems for decades. Although shippers have learned to adapt to and work around these obstacles, unpredictable delays, longer transit times and higher costs associated with inspections may make the past look like the good old days.

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Sporting an Olympic-Size Material of the Future

Considered a transparent plastic cousin to Teflon, ETFE is replacing glass and plastic in some of the most innovative buildings being designed and constructed today. Far from being a new material, it seems set to surge in notoriety due to its major role in remarkable structures being built for worldwide sporting events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

French Engineers Set Rail Record — With a Bullet

In April, a French-engineered high-speed train with a souped-up engine broke the world speed record for conventional rail trains, surpassing 354.1 mph. The French engineering team is not the only one on track to provide super-fast trains, though, nor was its intention simply to break a record. It is also big business.

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Think You're Smarter Than Donald Trump?

The middle class in the U.S. is waning, and not since the Roaring Twenties have the rich been so much richer than everyone else. Yet intelligence doesn't explain it, according to a new report that says IQ has really no relationship to wealth. So the rank-and-file are likely to be just as smart as millionaire CEOs? You don't say.

May 7, 2007

Monitoring Supplier Collaboration: By the Numbers

Improvements in supplier performance are critical for increasingly more companies that rely on their supplier base for a huge variety of supplies and goods. Yet a recent Supply Chain Consortium survey of 100 top retail and consumer goods companies revealed that holding suppliers accountable through punitive compliance programs may not be working, as shown by the following key stats.

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December 21, 2007

The Last Light Friday of 2007 (Let's Make it Count)

December 20, 2007

The Chicago Spire: An Engineering Feat at 2,000 Feet

December 19, 2007

Many Happy Returns for Customers

December 18, 2007

Tips for Public Speaking (without the Flop Sweat)

December 17, 2007

India Growth Still Tied to Outsourcing

December 14, 2007

Light Friday: Worst Employees of '07, Old-School Engineering Calculator, Jet Packs in '08 ...

December 13, 2007

Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs

December 12, 2007

Steel Pipes, Subsidies, Tariffs and China

December 11, 2007

Unwrapping the 2007 Packaging Market

Chrismukkah: By the Numbers

5 Things Every Business Needs to Know about Packaging

Burning Question

Oyster's Hall of Shame and Acclaim

Branding: It's What's Outside that Counts

2007 Holiday Gift Guide

Much More than Your Average Train Set

IMT Readers Tell the Story

Recommended Reading

December 10, 2007

Foresight on Forecasting

December 7, 2007

Light Friday: NORAD Tracks Santa, Plus Robots that Fight and Play Violin...

December 6, 2007

Where We Stand: Manufacturing in November

December 5, 2007

Extending Customer Research Beyond Arm's Length

December 4, 2007

Will the Auto Industry Surrender to Energy Efficiency?

December 3, 2007

How to Optimize Asset Performance

November 30, 2007

Light Friday: Dilbert Mission Statement, Deadliest Jobs (Revisited), Giant Turkey...

November 29, 2007

The Ups and Downs of the U.S. Economy

November 28, 2007

Demand for Industrial Controls: Trending Upward

November 27, 2007

Top 7 Design Trends

Lessons in the Business of Design

Danger in Santa's Goody Bag

Burning Question

Print 3-D Objects at Home

A New Look for the Global Supply Chain

How to Make the Workplace Insufferable

Rethinking the Stadium Playbook

The Nightmare Before Christmas Commerce

Recommended Reading

November 26, 2007

Intermodal Volume Holds its Own in Q3

November 21, 2007

By the Numbers: Turkey Thursday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday

November 20, 2007

Economic Roundup: Still Pessimistic

November 19, 2007

Can Manufacturing Save the Great Lakes Economy?

November 16, 2007

Light Friday: The Conference Bike, Offensive Interview Questions, Lift Truck Safety Fun...

November 15, 2007

Fed Lifts the Veil

November 14, 2007

Analyzing Costs and Benefits

November 13, 2007

The Raw Deal - Up, Up and Away

The Next Generation of Super-Strong Materials

Why Do Plastics Fail?

Burning Question

Material Handling: The Big Picture

Science Finally Gets Fashionable

How Much Time Must Engineers Waste?

Tiny Promises Unfulfilled

Make Your Meetings Matter