Articles
A Cut Above the Rest
May 7, 2013 12:11 pm | by Krystal Gabert, Editor | CommentsTucked away in Pascoag, R.I., Daniele, Inc. is using innovative technology to extend shelf-life, ensure food safety and expand the reach of its sausage and cured meat products to a growing base of consumers. The company has been making sausages in the region for nearly 40 years. But its roots stretch much farther.
Throw the Pilot Out
May 6, 2013 12:19 pm | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsI know that I have written about this before, but maybe not so explicitly.Program pilots are booby traps, doomed to fail, generally speaking.There is a simple reason for it.Change, real, observable, meaningful change requires conviction and commitment.
Practical Advice for Virtualizing Your Manufacturing Applications
May 6, 2013 9:19 am | by Frank Hill, Director of Manufacturing Business Development, Stratus Technologies | CommentsVirtualization, the practice of using a software layer to let one physical computing server run multiple applications on virtual machines, enables manufacturers to maximize their return on hardware investments while conserving precious real estate on the plant floor.
Creating Better Jobs for Manufacturing’s Comeback
May 3, 2013 12:14 pm | by Ray Attiyah, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Definity Partners | CommentsScan through the business section of the news, and you’re likely to see stories about the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing, about how companies are moving jobs back to the United States because of the rising cost of manufacturing in (and shipping to and from) China.
Refurbish Food Manufacturing Machines for Increased Food Safety
May 2, 2013 12:19 pm | by Bob Shapiro, CEO, GSC Packaging | CommentsFood processing and packaging equipment is complex and multi-faceted, often with difficult-to-reach areas that can house biofilms and food soils that may result in microbiological hazards. Hidden surfaces lead to inadequate sanitation if not properly addressed, but those are not the only danger zones.
Storage Space Can Be Found by Simply Looking Up
May 2, 2013 12:04 pm | by Paul Mihelich, Director of Sales, Wildeck | CommentsFor many food manufacturing facilities, the loading dock and warehouse can be busy areas. With employees passing through, forklifts and hand pallet trucks moving about, and conveyor systems and storage racks fixed to the ground, space is often a premium in these areas.
Protecting Your Key Innovations
May 2, 2013 9:02 am | by Katie Crosby Lehmann, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. | CommentsFood manufacturers often make significant investments in product, packaging and processing innovations to gain a competitive advantage. That advantage could lead to competitors adopting the same innovations without respecting the original manufacturer’s intellectual-property rights.
Taking Advantage of the Industrial Internet
May 1, 2013 11:00 am | by Cindy Waxer | CommentsBig data is not just for predicting election outcomes and mapping genomes. General Electric (GE) is betting on the so-called Industrial Internet — a term they coined — to help manufacturers boost performance, streamline processes and better compete in the global marketplace.
The Two Faces of U.S. Manufacturing
April 30, 2013 10:22 am | by AJ Sweatt | CommentsThe fact is that our trade and economic policies — or lack thereof — are the primary cause of stagnant manufacturing growth in this country. We in and of manufacturing find ourselves in an environment of two camps, vying on many fronts for supremacy & influence.
5S Your Digital Workspace, Carefully
April 30, 2013 8:12 am | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsThe Lean tool known as “5S” was conceived and developed in a manufacturing environment.It is a very effective tool at eliminating some of the most senseless and aggravating sources of wasted time and energy.Most commonly, it stops the wasted effort of searching for stuff that we need right now.
The Dirty Dozen: Finding & Fixing Company Culture
April 29, 2013 10:15 am | by Steven Shaffer, President, Shaffer Consulting | CommentsAs we grow up, we often get wonderful gifts from mom and dad. Gifts such as intelligence, passion, communication and leadership skills. We also get gifts from different mentors, which can complement the ones from our parents. As adults, business leaders bring these childhood gifts to the companies they lead.
We Need More Vocational Training
April 26, 2013 11:34 am | by Mike Collins, Author, Saving American Manufacturing | CommentsThe concept of “everyone should go to college” is finally being questioned, which I think is long overdue. A recent study of college graduates in Oregon shows that about 50% of the degrees were in arts, humanities, behavior, and social science, with an average salary from $35 to $40,000 per year.
How Clouds Can Dominate Sunny Florida
April 25, 2013 9:00 am | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsAs leading vendors continue to invest the resources in making technology smarter, more reliable, and easier to use, manufacturers can do their fair share by giving these innovative solutions a little attention as well. For a focused look at new technologies — including cloud-based — we invite you to attend our free webinar on enterprise solutions today at 12pm.
Food Defense: Government and Industry Resources
April 24, 2013 2:23 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsAs the Food Safety Modernization Act continues to be implemented, more regulations and guidelines will be focused on food defense and the prevention of intentional contamination events. Many resources are being released by both the FDA and industry to help food manufacturers improve their food defense strategies.
Q&A: Communicating Your Brand in the Digital Age
April 24, 2013 12:20 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsAs more consumers utilize mobile apps as a part of their shopping experiences, it is crucial for consumer packaged goods companies to jump into the digital conversation. Steve Cole of Gladson spoke with Food Manufacturing about how companies can harness this new technology to enhance their brand image.
Make Decisions Quicker & Easier
April 24, 2013 9:08 am | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsThe Lean methodology of process improvement defines at least 7 classical forms of waste. Going through notes, over and over again, as to the root cause of wastes we experience indicates that indecision often drives waste, even if it appears to be a circumstantial cause and not a regular or systemic cause of the system.
ISM: Manufacturing Dips, Remains In Positive Territory
April 22, 2013 3:28 pm | by Jon Minnick, Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsAlthough U.S. manufacturing declined in March, it continues a positive push into 2013. The PMI registered 51.3 percent, a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from February’s reading of 54.2 percent, indicating expansion in manufacturing for the fourth consecutive month, but at a slower rate.
Unlocking Potential for Greater Productivity & Accuracy
April 22, 2013 1:09 pm | by Bruce Stubbs, Director of Industry Marketing for Distribution Center Operations, Intermec | CommentsFacing rising operational costs and growing awareness of consumer food safety, growers and companies are under increased pressure to improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction and safety. Food traceability solutions are particularly imperative to meeting these needs while containing cost.
Rugged Tablet PC Requirements In Food Manufacturing
April 19, 2013 12:01 pm | by Matt Miller, President, MobileDemand | CommentsThe food manufacturing industry defines the kind of variable, often-extreme working environment in which a rugged tablet PC thrives. Refrigerated areas must be at or below 45 degrees, freezers at or below zero, and hot food must remain at 140 degrees or just higher.
Q&A: The Solar Advantage
April 19, 2013 9:28 am | by Jonnatha Mayberry, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | CommentsBorrego Solar is one of the oldest solar installers in the country. The company believes solar helps manufacturers in two ways. Number one: It can lower your costs. And number two: It can help you become sustainable, which may be a requirement of your customers.
