Manufacturing 101

Rebuilding U.S. Manufacturing
IndustryWeek presents Rebuilding U.S. Manufacturing, a year-long series that will focus on case studies and expert advice that executives at U.S. manufacturing companies can use to strengthen their companies.

• February: Learning From Toyota -- Again
• March: California Dreaming -- Behind the success at machine-tool leader Haas.
• May: Chrysler's Winning Formula: Hot Cars + Flexibility
• July: Where's The Magic? Is Manufacturing Software Delivering Results?
• Sept.: Staying Ahead With Machine Tools And Robots
• Nov.: Aging Assets: Rebuilding U.S. Manufacturing

Washington, D.C.-based Senior Editor John S. McClenahen examines the economic and social roles of manufacturers in his six-part series Manufacturing & Society. Part of IndustryWeek's 35 anniversary, the series explores manufacturers' responsibilities to themselves, to the people they employ, to communities where they do business and to shareholders.

IndustryWeek's Sr. Editor John Teresko explores all angles of this emerging technology. Which industries are leading the way? Is the U.S. behind in the race? How can companies protect their intellectual property? See the articles below and check back for updates.

• The History Of Nanotechnology: Way back in 1959 the first stirrings of the concept arose.
• Two Steps Forward, One Back? Leaders such as Motorola and IBM have embraced nanomaterials, but by spending less on R&D, the U.S. manufacturing sector could be stumbling in the race for more innovative products.
• Protecting Intellectual Capital: Establish an on-going dialog with legal counsel.
• From Confusion To Action: Whether your company is like traditional manufacturer Air Products and Chemicals or 20-year old Nanofilm Ltd., the first step in formulating a strategy for capitalizing on nanotechnology is understanding parameters.

An Introductory Guide:
Find out which companies are already committed to voluntary emission reduction and learn which organizations are assisting them in achieving their target goals.

Confused about kaizen? Want to know how to calcuate a Cpk value? This glossary of terms, given to applicants for IndustryWeek's Best Plants Program, can help make sense of the language manufacturers are using.

IndustryWeek conducted an extensive Q&A session with lean expert Dr. James Womack in May 2005. Many of the questions Dr. Womack addressed are published below.

A Special Series:
To celebrate our 35th anniversary, IndustryWeek will cast its view over the past three decades and review what happened, explore who had a hand in shaping the past, and examine trends that will continue to affect our future. This special series will covers the following industries:

• automotive
• aerospace
• chemicals
• consumer durables
• consumer packaged goods
• high technology
• industrial machinery

Confused about what the value chain is and how it differs from the supply chain? See our Value-Chain Management FAQ.

Best Plants Competition Guidelines:
View general information about North America's Best Plants program, such as eligibility requirements, the competition timetable and the selection process.

Technology And Innovation Awards:
Everything you need to know about the Technology and Innovation Awards.