Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing.

Next Generation Manufacturing - Systemic Continuous Improvement

Add comment July 3rd, 2009 01:00pm Bob Trojan

If you are working in manufacturing, I’m sure you are familiar with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Quality Management Systems or some other path toward continuing to improve your competitiveness and maintain a healthy business. The NGM study reflects the importance this area has to most manufacturers. Most respondents to the survey rated this area highly important. Even though this area is so very important to business success, some companies still report less than satisfactory on-time performance and needs for improvement in the area of customer satisfaction. Times are difficult for most manufacturers and many are in survival mode. However, this is also the time for renewed focus on improvements, so that when things do turn around you are positioned to act aggressively and efficiently in order to serve the business turnaround and delight your customers.

Source: IMECFor Further Information, Contact:

Mary Hallock
Manufacturing Specialist
815-721-4474 Office
815-753-8729 Fax
mhallock@imec.org

Next Generation Manufacturing - Advanced Talent Management

Add comment July 2nd, 2009 03:00pm Bob Trojan

Human resource develolpment and retention of employees is important to successful businesses. We continue to increase our productivity and our technology due to improving knowledge. This area is very important to a large majority of the Illinois companies that responded to the NGM survey. Rockford respondents also find it very important and indicate they dedicate more time to work teams. Turnover is a challenge for most respondents - even though they dedicate training time and look for employee involvement it can be challenging to keep workers from leaving. An article from HR Magazine supports the view that this area is of continuing importance.

“In today’s challenging economy, organizations that optimize knowledge management…are leaders in their field…From sustainabillity and education to workforce planning and global knowledge transfer, knowledge management is essential for competitive advantage.”

http://www.shrm.org/Research/Articles/Pages/default.aspx

Source: IMEC

For Further Information, Contact:

Mary Hallock
Manufacturing Specialist
815-721-4474 Office
815-753-8729 Fax
mhallock@imec.org

US Manufacturing Stabilizing

Add comment July 2nd, 2009 06:48am Bob Trojan

Looks like maybe, just maybe, we’ll start to see growth again in manufacturing.    Here

Exporting our Way to Growth

Add comment July 2nd, 2009 06:45am Bob Trojan

GE says it’s labor force in the U.S. has to be able to compete on a global basis.  Hear Jeffrey Immelt talk about this need for business investment and exporting as the engine to get the recovery going… Export

UK Manufacturing on the Rise

Add comment July 1st, 2009 11:52am Bob Trojan

Finally, some welcome news about manufacturing.  The UK reports it’s 1st increase in a year.  Exporters to the UK will welcome this news and maybe this is a good signal for the US.   UK

Clean Air, Tax Increase and California’s Experience

Add comment June 30th, 2009 09:29am Bob Trojan

 OK, so maybe it was opposing the House Clean Energy Act, but can the comments about California hold some truth?  Mistake

Growing Number of Scientists Dispute Global Warming Claims

Add comment June 30th, 2009 09:00am Bob Trojan

No wonder Congress and Obama are rushing legislation for the Clean Energy Act…now over 700 dissenting scientists from around the globe challenged man-made global warming claims made by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former Vice President Al Gore.

The number has been rising in just the past several years and I think this groundswell is causing the rush in Congress and the President.  Read it…. Here

As mentioned in previous posts, the impact on manufacturing will be devastating.

Wisconsin can Manufacture Growth, Why Can’t We?

Add comment June 29th, 2009 11:46am Bob Trojan

Wisconsin took over the top spot in state manufacturing rankings last month.  Looks like we have competition for manufacturing jobs right up the road, let alone in China!   Growth

Employment and Jobs

Add comment June 29th, 2009 09:25am Bob Trojan

the current discussion about all the new jobs being created?  Well, let’s look at the facts as published by the Dept. of Labor…   Employed

Employment numbers (thous.):

4th Qtr. 08: 144,046

1st Qtr. 09: 141,578

May 09 (latest data): 140,570

Now, how do you expect me to believe the statemenys about how many jobs are being created?

And how many new jobs will created by the Clean Energy Act?

Tax Bill Makes Manufacturers Uneasy

Add comment June 28th, 2009 08:16am Bob Trojan

Check out this story by Chuck Sweeny.  It’s not too late to contact our Senators for a “NO” vote!   TaxBill

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