Welcome to IndustryWeek's Weekly Reads as we head toward the end of August. As usual, this content was the most-perused over the past seven days, but is still just a fraction of the great work that appears regularly on IndustryWeek.com. Without further ado, our Top 10:
Operators Connected by Technology Don’t Quit: At a time when workforce shortages plague manufacturing, consider that a connected worker might not walk out the door and leave you hanging.
Natron Energy to Invest $1.4 Billion in New Sodium-Ion Battery Gigafactory: “This flagship manufacturing facility will dramatically accelerate our efforts to deliver sodium-ion batteries to customers who are hungry for safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy storage solutions,” said Natron Energy Founder and co-CEO Colin Wessells.
Supply Chain Leaders Need a New Playbook, Focusing on Risk: Climate change, geopolitical risks, transportation disruptions and material shortages have made ‘normal’ obsolete.
US to Award Chipmaker Texas Instruments Up to $1.6 Billion: The company's planned projects "would meaningfully support the increasing needs for economic and national security applications," the Commerce Department said.
Apprentice Programs Support Indiana Manufacturing: Process monitoring equipment manufacturer Endress+Hauser boosts talent acquisition through German-style apprenticeship programs that start with middle- and high-school-age students.
The 3 E's of TPS and How the Basics Never Go Out of Style: Brett Wood, president and CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America, shares insights into the Toyota Production System.
Who Owns 3D Printing on the Moon? and Other Space-Patent Conundrums: Intellectual property in the cosmos is vast and full of unknowns. A look at the possibilities and limitations.
7 Lessons for Sustainability Leaders from Failed Digital Initiatives: One high-level business undertaking holds teachings for another.
Lean Manufacturing: It's Still All About People, Darnit! A lively panel discussion featuring Sarah Tilkens, Carl Livesay and Dave Rizzardo focused on getting the most out of people by listening to them and understanding them.
Occupational Health Gets a Refresh with COVID Lessons Learned: As viruses continue to circulate, a free guidebook offers best practices for manufacturing workplaces.