Opinion

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Making Manufacturing a Competitive Advantage
How IW Best Plants winners leverage production to boost the bottom line.
1/11/2012

What if Public Policy Changes Are Not Enough?
An important question -- and its answer -- reveal potential shortcomings in our approach to strengthening U.S. manufacturing.
12/14/2011

Manufacturing Moves to Center Stage
Public-policy leaders are taking yet another look at manufacturing's importance to the U.S. economy. This time, let's make sure they get it right.
11/16/2011

The True Story of Manufacturing
Mazak's president says manufacturing needs a framework for growth, not an obituary.
10/19/2011

The True Story of Manufacturing
Mazak's president says manufacturing needs a framework for growth, not an obituary.

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Viewpoint: The Assault on America's Plastic Composites Industry
Jobs and revenue are at great risk for leaving the U.S. if people become afraid of styrene as a result of the National Toxicology Program classifying styrene as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' in June, says Congressman Manzullo.
8/8/2011

Viewpoint: Wind Power for the World, 'Made in USA'
Can American manufacturers, paying fair wages, abiding by environmental regulations and paying their fair share of U.S. taxes compete against Chinese-government backed companies determined to rule this alternative energy field?
7/28/2011

Let Them Compete! Solving the Rare Earth Dilemma
Allowing for greater competition among rare earth producers would result in China's rare earth prices being determined by global market conditions ultimately fostering global innovation.
6/16/2011

A Governor's Perspective: Re-Inventing Michigan
'Michigan is now on a long-term sustainable path to solvency, we've eliminated a $1.5 billion deficit, and we cut our budget. We fixed structural deficits, slashed business taxes and we are helping businesses get what they need so that the state can grow and prosper again.'
6/16/2011

A Stimulus Plan to Encourage U.S. Manufacturing
Each state should take a portion of its federal stimulus money and allot it towards specific tax incentives that will enable U.S.-based companies to convert to U.S.-based manufacturers.
6/8/2011

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The Nano-economy: Time to Reap the Rewards
20+ years of planting seeds -- now a crop of jobs is ready.
1/20/2012

Nanotechnology: Six to Watch in '12
A look back at 2011 nano-topics, pointing the way in 2012.
12/21/2011

Dial N for Nano
Say hello to smarter smartphones. And goodbye to anemic battery life.
11/11/2011

Nanotechnology, the U.S. Economy And You
The nanotech world goes commercial and you're at the epicenter.
10/14/2011

Are You Helping to Build a Bomb Today?
How fear-mongers can arm nano-terrorists.
9/7/2011

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Managing Security and Violence in Mexico
Drug-related violence has U.S. manufacturers reviewing their strategies for operating in Mexico.
1/11/2012

Wanted: Talent-Driven Innovation
Can the United States meet the challenge of creating the skilled workforce needed for manufacturing leadership?
9/14/2011

Free Markets Make Trade Deficits Disappear
It's time for policymakers to boost our exports through free trade agreements.
7/20/2011

Reasons To Be Bullish About American Manufacturing
In the wake of financial turmoil, manufacturing takes a more central role in the economic growth potential of the United States.
4/20/2011

Rare Earths and U.S. Manufacturing
Used in a host of high-tech products, rare earths are focusing attention once again on China's growing economic clout and on U.S. vulnerabilities.
2/16/2011

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It's the Process, Not the People
Why playing the blame game works against continuous improvement for manufacturers.
12/14/2011

What's the Role of Technology in Continuous Improvement?
If you think expensive technology changes are the gatekeepers for continuous improvement, think again.
10/19/2011

How You Can Help Reduce the Cost of Medical Care
Take a hospital administrator out to lunch and talk about continuous improvement. And pass on the cheese fries!
6/22/2011

An Unexplored Opportunity
Product development deserves as much attention from continuous improvement teams as any other manufacturing process.
4/20/2011

Top Down or Bottom Up?
Answer incorrectly and you'll find out why only 5% of organizations build sustainable, successful continuous improvement processes.
1/19/2011

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Five Tips to Avoid a Bankruptcy
Former Philadelphia Eagles GM offers advice from past failures.
6/15/2011

How to Manage for Creativity
Why you should be encouraging employees to enter the 'bubble.'
5/23/2011

Manufacturing in China: Look Before You Leap
If you're planning to do business in China, consider the Four P's first.
5/18/2011

Hedging as Energy-Management Strategy
Well-executed hedging strategies can help manage energy costs in the midst of volatile market conditions. Even with some commodities stabilizing, energy-management expert Tim Statts says now's the time for manufacturers to review their hedging practices.
1/19/2011

Thought Leader: A Yellow Light for Technology Behind the Wheel
Former software executive worries that the increasing amount of technology embedded into vehicles could lead to more glitches -- and recalls.
11/17/2010

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High Unemployment and Few Qualified Candidates? It's a Teachable Moment
Bayer MaterialScience's efforts to promote STEM education are elementary -- and much more.
10/19/2011

Social Media: Navigating the Legal Perils
A disciplined approach to Facebook, Twitter and other social media helps companies benefit from these networks while minimizing the chances of costly information leaks.
5/18/2011

Rust Belt Rising?
World trends point to rich opportunities for niche manufacturing.
4/20/2011

HP Looks to the 'Cloud'
Will also release the TouchPad in June
3/15/2011

Manufacturing 2.0 -- Building a Lean, Mean Profitable Machine
Recovery brings more focus on risk-taking, talent management and global markets.
2/16/2011

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Strategies for Success in Product Innovation
Two strategies prime your pipeline for faster, more profitable product development.
11/16/2011

Public Policy Key to Successful Energy Efficiency, Business Growth
Charting a sustainable path to improved business performance.
10/19/2011

Never Stop Climbing
Interface founder Ray Anderson is determined to reach the summit of 'Mount Sustainability.'
4/20/2011

Tools for Tomorrow's Workforce
Through its 'Community Campus,' Climax Portable Machine Tools is teaching kids valuable life lessons -- and creating a pipeline for skilled workers.
2/16/2011

Sustainable from Start to Finish
Anomatic strives to make the aluminum anodizing process a shining example of green manufacturing.
12/16/2010

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On the Rise: The Case for Pelican Products
An emphasis on market-specific products is helping Pelican Products grow domestically and internationally.
10/20/2010

On The Rise: Building Quality into Outsourcing
U.S. quality standards and offshore contract manufacturing is proving a winning combination for East West Manufacturing.
9/22/2010

On The Rise -- Johnson Controls: A Walk on the Green Side
The company is betting that providing customers with integrated energy management solutions will provide a profitable path to a cleaner planet.
6/23/2010

On the Rise -- Morey Corp.: Nimble Pursuit of Lasting Value
The electronics manufacturer says an old-fashioned belief in quality and customer service are keys to its success in a demanding global marketplace.
5/19/2010

On the Rise -- A. Schulman Inc.: Molding a Global Strategy
Joseph Gingo waited 40 years to become a CEO. Now he's wasting no time shaping and executing A. Schulman's strategy for global growth.
3/17/2010

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Loral Space Focuses on Customer Signals
Profit skyrockets for satellite producer on heightened customer awareness and continuous-improvement strategies.
12/14/2011

Fertilizer Feeds Mosaic's Growth
Rising demand for crop nutrients combined with operational excellence propels company's earnings.
5/18/2011

Manufacturing in the Cloud
Microsoft's Steve Ballmer sees big things for cloud-computing applications in manufacturing.
4/20/2011

Raytheon Shores Up its Supply Chain
Company remains laser-focused on continuous-improvement programs to maximize efficiencies.
3/16/2011

Herman Miller Furnishes Diversified Strategy
Office furniture leader expands health care and educational institution offerings to lessen dependency on slowing office products market.
2/2/2011

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Building Manager Standard Work
Standardization can help you free up time and use it more proactively.
11/16/2011

Going to the Gemba
Far from a stroll on the plant floor, a gemba represents a purposeful attempt to learn what is really going on.
9/14/2011

How to Train Without Training
When training dollars are scarce, there are still good ways to develop your workforce. Try these three strategies.
7/20/2011

Lessons From the Road: Sustaining Your 5S Efforts
5S too often is short-lived, but these six steps can help keep it running smoothly.
5/17/2011

Lessons From the Road: Surfacing Problems Daily
Advice for building a problem-solving culture.
3/16/2011

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