Manufacturing has been important to the United States throughout the 20th and 21st centuries–even if that history has had its ups and downs. The 50’s and 60’s are generally considered to be the heyday of US manufacturing, as they … Continued
By this point, we’re all pretty familiar with a standard narrative surrounding Midwestern manufacturing: though the region was once the industrial heartland of the country, the times have changed, and economic hardship has fallen upon many “rust belt” cities. … Continued
In today’s world, nearly all manufacturers use some sort of ERP system–regardless of whether that company tends to build to order, or build to stock. However, there are a few special reasons why build-to stock-manufacturers should consider investing in a … Continued
Electronics manufacturing encompasses a wide variety of productions–from optoelectronics to circuit boards, and everything in between. Though the industry is diverse and multi-faceted, one constant is important for all types of business: smart, efficient management. The SMARTer Manager system can … Continued
Made-to-order manufacturing (also known as built to order manufacturing) is the oldest model for manufacturing businesses. As the name implies, made to order manufacturing businesses begin building their products upon receiving an order—generally allowing for customized specifications. This makes the … Continued
In every manufacturing enterprise there are three basic costs that must be immediately considered as an owner assigns a value to a product. First, there are the direct material costs. This refers to the cost of the “raw materials” that … Continued
In the process of making a product, there are three basic expenses: direct material cost, direct labor cost, and manufacturing overhead cost. The sum of these three costs is referred to as the “manufacturing cost” of a product. This total … Continued
The Houston Chronicle reports that one of the main disadvantages faced by small businesses is the fact that they oftentimes do not have the “advanced technology” possessed by their larger competitors. Using sub-par technology hurts efficiency, lowers customer satisfaction, and … Continued
Manufacturers of medical devices, equipment, and supplies perform an immensely vital service to our society. Unfortunately, the industry faces a number of unique challenges. This article will examine the challenges faced by medical manufacturers, as well as the ways in … Continued
Manufacturers, both small and large, who assess their business model must begin by considering how efficiently they handle some very basic questions. What quantity of raw materials do we need to produce our product at any given time and how … Continued