2012 IW Best Plants Winners: Amazing Efforts, Amazing Achievements
For the 23rd consecutive year, IndustryWeek is pleased to present its annual salute to manufacturing excellence. The 2012 class of IndustryWeek's Best Plants winners demonstrates that operational excellence continues to prosper in manufacturing -- and manufacturers continue to strive for even greater performances.
Workforce: Say Hello to 'Say on Pay'
The deferral is over. For the past two proxy seasons, public companies have had to abide by SEC rules regarding shareholder approval of executive compensation -- so called "say on pay" votes -- under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Labor in the Headlines
Workers at a Caterpillar plant in Joliet, Ill., returned to work in August, concluding a bitter three-and-a-half-month strike. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers approved the six-year deal by a narrow margin.
Organized Labor's Uncertain Future
Manufacturers can expect renewed enthusiasm from unions in the wake of President Obama's successful re-election bid. Less certain is whether increased activity will reverse unions' declining fortunes -- especially in manufacturing.
Workforce: Accelerating Diversity
"A diverse, inclusive, engaged workplace provides the best environment to ignite innovation and accelerate global growth," Medtronic states in its 2012 Corporate Citizenship Report, released in September. The company puts actions behind its words
Operations: The Next Generation of Automotive Quality
The future of automotive quality should include new methods of measurement. That's according to respondents of a survey commissioned by the Automotive Industry Action Group, a not-for-profit association of automotive supply chain companies and related organizations.
High-Potential Employees: Seven Keys to Success
Succession management is a funnel to leadership positions, and high-potential employees are an important part of the process, says Jay Jamrog, senior vice president of research for the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). He outlined seven keys to identifying and preparing high-potential employees for higher-level leadership positions.
