All Posts Tagged "resources"...
Manufacturing Is Looking Up
February 2011
Advice and Assistance for Manufacturers
News reports this week are highlighting the relative good health of the manufacturing segment. Most prominently, the Institute for Supply Management index for January came in at 60.8, the 18th straight month that this measure has indicated expansion (above 50).
What Does It Take To Be Lean?
Reprinted from Logistics Online Lean manufacturing is, more than anything else, an attitude. Lean is a focus on identifying and eliminating waste – defined here as anything that doesn’t add value. A variety of techniques and approaches can be used
Sometimes the Best Sale is the One You Don’t Make
Reprinted from Portsmouth Herald / Seacoastonline.com – December 27, 2010
At this time of year, most businesses are working on plans and budgets for the coming new year. Budgeting has to start with a forecast, whether a formal process of projecting sales month-by-month or a very informal “wild guess” approach. In fact, many companies don’t even realize they are making a forecast when they think “next year will be the same as this year,” or perhaps “this year plus a few percent.” That is, in fact, a forecast.
Sound Strategies for Managing Seasonal Demand
Most businesses experience some form of seasonality — a demand or sales pattern that repeats every year. Sales may be highest in November and December at a particular retail store, and then fall off in January and February.
How Do You S&OP?
Advice and Assistance for Manufacturers
November 2010
A recent AMR/Gartner email newsletter referenced a field study that revealed this interesting tidbit: “51% of companies said the only technology they use for S&OP is Microsoft Office plus Access databases”. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
A ‘Lean’ Supply Chain Presents Risks and Rewards
Ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland blankets Europe and closes major airports. In no time, the Boston flower market runs out of tulips, and factories in California shut down for lack of parts. Most people are aware of the
Accurate Forecasts Key to Inventory Control
Every manufacturer, distributor and retailer has inventory and lists it on the balance sheet as an asset. But, from an operations management perspective, is inventory really a good thing?
Resources for the Manufacturing Recovery
September 2010
Amidst the bad news and talk of double dips (and I don’t mean ice cream cones), there have been several bright spots in the news lately concerning the status and prospects of U.S. manufacturing. The most recent ISM report was a pleasant surprise, showing unexpected growth and optimism for U.S. factory production.
NAM Manufacturing Events
WHEN: On-going. WHERE: Various. Presented by National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Event Details
The Other ROI
June 2010
When you bought and implemented your system, you were looking for (and hopefully measuring) the Return on Investment – ROI. Now that you have had the system in place for some time, wouldn’t you like to Re-energize Operational Improvements?
