Six Ways to Overcome Supply-Chain Obstacles

September 9, 2024   Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here to receive this newsletter each month.   Six Ways to Overcome Supply-Chain Obstacles Wipfli partner Dave Van Damme provides advice to help navigate the supply-chain obstacle course. He talks pricing and understanding direct and indirect costs—which do you absorb and which do you pass on?  Also addressed: vendor diversification; software automation, to reduce the number of manual data-capture points; and leveraging ERP to increase the quality and variety of your analytics capabilities.   PARTNER CONTENT   Can You Lower an EV's Environmental Impact Before the First Mile? Nucor is helping to decarbonize the auto industry with Econiq—the world's first line of net-zero steel products at scale. For more the 50 years Nucor has pioneered circular, electric arc furnace steelmaking that recycles scrap into new steel.   Plug into the Power of Recognition “It’s no secret that in today’s search for a hard-working, skilled workforce, manufacturing leaders seek successful strategies to attract and retain top performers, from offering new perks and better wages to flexible schedules,” writes MetalForming senior editor Kate Bachman. Quoting Gallup: “But in their search for new ideas and approaches, organizations could be overlooking one of the most easily executed strategies: employee recognition—low cost; high impact.” She then touts MetalForming’s Women of Excellence recognition program as an excellent example! Want to nominate a woman for their achievements in manufacturing, that has solved problems and inspired and encouraged others, demonstrating unwavering commitment and exhibited excellence? Submit your nomination.   PARTNER CONTENT   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.   Gain Leadership Insights at FABTECH ’24 FABTECH 2024, running October 15-17 in Orlando, FL, debuts a new feature: the Emerging Leaders Program, comprising several activities spread over the event’s three days. Among them:  A keynote presentation providing insights on public speaking and networking. Guided show-floor tours, curated to highlight emerging technologies and provide hands-on equipment demonstrations. Interactive workshop sessions on these and other topics: market positioning to adapt to market disruptions; improving communication skills and effective team leadership; and creating a culture of appreciation to boost employee engagement and retention.   Batesville Tool & Die, Inc. Named Supplier of Excellence by Polaris, Inc.   PARTNER CONTENT   Stop Wasting Money on Marketing That Doesn't Work We've generated $325M+ in revenue for our industrial and manufacturing clients over the past 3 years. Get the strategy of exactly where to focus your attention in 2025! Download the Guide   Vantedge Medical Acquires Hobson & Motzer Medical-device manufacturer Hobson & Motzer, with facilities in Durham and Wallingford, CT, has been acquired by Vantedge Medical, a manufacturer of machined and stamped parts, and complete assemblies for growing markets including robotic-assisted surgery, orthopedics, surgical instruments and dental implants. Hobson & Motzer becomes the fifth med-tech acquisition for Vantedge since 2018.   Podcast: Wiegel President/CEO Aaron Wiegel Talks Technology and Training Aaron Wiegel discusses a two-pronged approach to continuing the growth of his metal stamping and tool and die company: technology and workforce development.   PARTNER CONTENT   Infor CloudSuite Industrial Solves Your Most Complex Challenges Achieve seamless automation and significant cost savings. Enhance your supply chain efficiency with comprehensive system integration. Gain clear, real-time insights into project costs, no matter the complexity or number of sites involved. Elevate your production capabilities to meet dynamic market demands and drive supply chain agility.   D&H Industries Awarded Contract to Supply the U.S. Army with M16 Magazines   New Equipment Orders Off YoY, Except in the Burgeoning Aerospace Sector The aerospace sector has increased its order volume through the first half of 2024 to the highest number of units since the first half of 2018. Yet, the value of orders remains about 2% below that for orders placed in the first half of 2022. Capacity utilization in the aerospace sector has reached post-COVID peaks.   PARTNER CONTENT   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.   Metal Fabricator Lyons Mfg. Acquired by Holding Company Fenco Solutions   Easing Labor and Skills-Shortage Concerns with Proactive Talent Growth As the manufacturing sector aims to hire, onboard and retain valuable employees, outdated management systems only add to these challenges. To meet future workforce needs, manufacturers must invest in innovative solutions to strengthen their teams, emphasizing upskilling and automation.   Americans Think Increased Manufacturing Employment Would Be Good for the Country but Not for Themselves A recent Cato Institute–commissioned poll finds that when asked whether the country would be better off if more Americans worked in manufacturing, 80% responded in the affirmative, but only 25% stated that they would personally be better off in a factory instead of their current work. It’s a result that holds across class, education and racial lines. Americans love the idea of people working in manufacturing, but most don’t think they would benefit from such work themselves.     MetalForming magazine is the official publication of Precision Metalforming Association. PMA Services Inc. 6363 Oak Tree Blvd. | Independence, OH 44131-2500 | USA 216-901-8800

Technologies:

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Start receiving newsletters.