| Sales Needs a Reboot |
All manufacturers need to ask themselves this question:
“How good is my sales process, really?”
According to Laurie Harbour and recent survey data from Wipfli, too often the answer to this question is, “Insufficient.” On average, study respondents say that they are quoting 107% of their total revenue, have a hit rate on dollars quoted of 12% and a churn rate of 5%, numbers that Harbour finds troubling. Here she offers advice for moving beyond just managing leads and instead focusing on actively seeking new business opportunities. |
| |
|
| Increase Automation on Your Shop Floor |
| Struggling
to meet delivery dates? Constantly reengineering on the shop floor?
We've got you covered. Tailored for the needs of discrete manufacturers,
Aptean's suite of software solutions provides unparalleled production
scheduling efficiency and profit visibility. By integrating real-time
insights with strategic planning tools, our platform maximizes
visibility, automation and long-term growth. |
|
|
| |
|
| Formnext Chicago 2025 Postponed, While IMTS Will Up its AM Game |
The organizations that had planned to produce Formnext Chicago have decided to postpone the additive manufacturing (AM) show, scheduled for April 8-10, 2025, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
“In light of the current market conditions, the structural dynamics of AM and scheduling conflicts with another AM show, it became increasingly difficult for us to host a successful and impactful event,” says Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT–The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which organized the show with Mesago Messe Frankfurt and Gardner Business Media GBM. |
| |
|
| Put Your Company at a Competitive Advantage |
| Position your company as an industry leader when you utilize PMA resources—ITR Econ Trends reports, trade publications, One Voice and FABTECH trade shows. A PMA membership will provide your company and all of its employees with a range of valuable industry resources that are designed to help you become more connected, more informed, more efficient, more competitive and ultimately more profitable. |
|
|
| |
|
| Secure AI Tool Extracts and Processes Critical Data to Ease Quoting |
| Check out this artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered quoting-automation tool from Paperless Parts called Wingman, which automatically extracts critical details from quote packages (prints, models, emails, etc.)—information from a print that most directly impacts costing and pricing—thus enabling quicker production of accurate quotes. |
|
|
| |
|
| AI Will Not Replace Humans |
| …but manufacturers embracing AI will replace those who don’t. So writes MetalForming columnist and industry consultant Peter Ulintz, stressing that “it’s an ideal time to transition from the conventional factory settings of today to the intelligent, data-driven factories of tomorrow.” |
| |
|
| Know Yourself, and Your Competitor |
“Successful manufacturing companies regularly shine bright lights on—and peer through strong magnifying glasses at—their operations. And, they equally invest time and effort to learn all they can about the actions and strategies of their competitors,” writes MetalForming editorial director Brad Kuvin. Quoting from The Art of War:
“If you ignore your competitor and know yourself, your chances of losing and winning will be equal; if you ignore both your competitor and yourself, you will only count your battles by your defeats.” |
| |
|
| Podcasts from the FABTECH Show Floor |
MetalForming and PMA recorded several podcasts during FABTECH a couple of weeks ago. Among those joining us in the recording booth:
- Dean Phillips, PMA director of technical training, to discuss the ins and outs of in-plant and virtual training.
- Chris Zuzick,
vice president of metal former Waukesha Metal Products, who explains
how walking the FABTECH aisles helps identify new opportunities to
innovate and drive profitability.
- Adrian Little,
president of scaffolding manufacturer JETechnology Solutions, Inc., who
shares his thoughts on manufacturing leadership in challenging times,
workforce development, and the implementation of automation and other
innovate technologies.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Video
Management
Stamping Presses