Articles
Integrating LEAN Process Improvement
February 26, 2013 10:14 am | by Stephen J. Benefield, enVista | CommentsCompanies can see tremendous improvement by focusing on the principals of LEAN Process Improvement. Previously developed improvement approaches can be rejuvenated and modified to capture past success while maximizing future opportunities through LEAN Process Improvement.
Entering the Gluten-Free Arena
February 25, 2013 10:46 am | by Emily Kaufman, Emport, LLC for GlutenTox | CommentsMore consumers are asking about it. More journalists are writing about it. More health practitioners are recommending it: gluten-free food. The market for gluten-free products is big and getting bigger, totaling $4.2 billion and reaching an estimated 21 million households in 2012.
Q&A: The Importance of Food Safety Training
February 25, 2013 9:29 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsSince the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has placed a greater emphasis on training as a preventive control, Food Manufacturing asked Jeff Eastman of Alchemy Systems for his views about training’s impact on food safety, its role as a preventive control under FSMA and how to ensure employees comprehend and apply their training at all times.
Extra Inventory? Donate It
February 22, 2013 10:37 am | by Gary C. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR) | CommentsCompanies like Microsoft, Stanley Tools, 3M, Newell Rubbermaid, Rand McNally, Reebok, Gillette, Xerox, Hallmark and thousands of others make contributions supporting charitable causes while at the same time taking advantage of tax deductions, reducing storage costs, clearing warehouse space and avoiding hassles with liquidators.
Moving to Cloud ERP: Three Strategic Reasons
February 22, 2013 8:34 am | by Kenandy Inc. | CommentsMost companies understand that cloud services can save money and provide good service levels. Nucleus Research found that cloud applications deliver 1.7 times more ROI than on-premise applications. So if you haven’t moved your ERP to the cloud yet, it’s for reasons other than ROI.
Solve Problems with Definitions
February 21, 2013 10:00 am | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsSimply providing a clearer expectation of what “good enough” looks like can solve many problems we encounter. Sometimes we create problems simply because we haven’t provided a clear expectation of roles and responsibilities. Sometimes we spend ridiculous amounts of time trying to solve problems we can’t clearly communicate.
ISM: Manufacturing Is Off to a Good Start
February 21, 2013 9:46 am | by Jon Minnick, Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsEconomic activity in the manufacturing sector continued to expand in January 2013 for the second consecutive month, and the overall U.S. economy grew for the 44th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
Six Things to Consider Before Implementing an EQMS
February 20, 2013 11:51 am | by Mike Roberts, EQMS | CommentsWhat does quality management software do? From a 30,000 foot view, it helps companies ensure the production and delivery of high quality products and processes. More specifically, though, it streamlines, standardizes, and centralizes cross-functional data from across the value chain.
Manufacturing’s Evolving Workforce
February 20, 2013 9:27 am | by Bob Dean, Executive Director, Business Transformation, Cisco | CommentsPop culture references manufacturing as the factories of the 1800s or modern day overseas sweatshops — full of mind-numbing, remedial tasks in dark and dingy factories. Today’s manufacturing environments tell a much different story: clean and safe environments with employees managing advanced machinery that drives innovation and productivity.
Market Pulse Q&A: Consolidation in Food Distribution
February 19, 2013 12:39 pm | by Greg Cannon, senior vice president, U.S. Bank Food Industries | CommentsThe food industry is changing. Independent, cooperative and multi-generational family-owned businesses that have flourished for decades are now looking for ways to survive in a down economy and as larger food distribution companies look to diversify and grow market share.
Improving Foreign Objects & Contamination Detection
February 19, 2013 9:42 am | CommentsTraditional methods of finding foreign objects in poultry production applications rely on human inspection and tools such as metal detectors. But detecting certain objects like soft bone fragments and very small metal particles remain big challenges.
Q&A: Automation Trends for Food Manufacturers
February 14, 2013 4:47 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsIncorporating automated equipment into food manufacturing processes can offer a wealth of benefits. Matt Wicks of Intelligrated spoke with Food Manufacturing about how food processors can best harness automated technologies in their facilities.
Q&A: Pest Identification Goes Digital
February 14, 2013 4:39 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsFor food manufacturers facing an infestation, quick and accurate identification of the pest is essential to resolving the issue and avoiding further damage or contamination. Today, more and more food facilities and pest control companies are utilizing digital technology to identify pests accurately and efficiently.
Q&A: Food Defense Strategies
February 14, 2013 4:18 pm | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsFood recalls are a threat to public health as well as a company’s bottom line, and the impact of a recall can last for years after the event is over. Don Hsieh of Tyco Integrated Security discusses how companies can use food defense strategies to prevent recalls.
Packaging Company Achieves Scheduling Success
February 14, 2013 2:55 pm | by ScheduleSoft | CommentsAustin Packaging Company (APC), a Minnesota-based USDA contract manufacturer for some of the world’s largest food companies, found a software solution that helped to create a fair, consistent and more predictable workforce schedule.
Have You Written Your Plan?
February 14, 2013 11:31 am | by Robert Rogers, Senior Advisor for Food Safety and Regulation, Mettler Toledo Product Inspection | CommentsIn January 2013, the FDA proposed two new food safety rules that will prevent adulterated food from entering commerce and help prevent the spread of foodborne illness. The proposed rules implement the landmark FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) signed into law in 2011, and are available for public comment for 120 days.
Industrial Real Estate Continues To Strengthen Despite Slow Economic Growth
February 14, 2013 9:43 am | by Jim Morris, Industrial Services Lead, Americas, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. | CommentsDemand for industrial real estate continues to rise, but modest economic growth continues to impact the sector nationally. And that modest economic growth trend, impacted by the uncertainties surrounding the U.S. financial and Euro Zone debt challenges, is likely to continue to define the market’s progress for at least another year.
Obama Asks Congress To Deploy Manufacturing 'Institutes'
February 13, 2013 11:00 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsJust after stating that the manufacturing industry has created more than 500,000 jobs in the last three years, and that companies like Caterpillar, Ford and Apple are bringing jobs back to American soil, the President outlined his plan to see Congress approve fifteen manufacturing innovation institutes.
The Global State Of Information Security
February 13, 2013 9:35 am | by PwC | CommentsInformation security has always been a high-stakes game. One that demands a smart strategy, the right technology moves, and an unblinking eye on adversaries. For many businesses, however, it has become a pursuit that is almost impossible to win.
Check the Simple Things First
February 12, 2013 10:10 am | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | CommentsWhether it’s equipment maintenance and repair, troubleshooting a process, or fixing business cultural problems, before you gear up for a complete overhaul, check on the simple fundamentals first.Often times the easily overlooked issue is the root cause.
