Britain trying to follow in footsteps of U.S. manufacturing industry

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As the United States manufacturing industry continues to improve, other nations are beginning to take notice. In fact, the U.S. is now being looked at by some as a role model, and countries are trying to make changes to align with America in efforts to further their own manufacturing growth.

Britain is one such country, and a recent Telegraph article explained the European nation's attempts to follow in America's footsteps. The news source said that the U.S. rebound in manufacturing is due in large part to the nation's shift in trade terms and enlightened policy decisions on energy.

"But while the US manufacturing boom wasn't planned, Britain needs to learn the lessons from it – and urgently reform taxes, regulations, energy policy and transport links to make sure we too can start growing," the article said. "The potential prize is huge."

Specifically, the news source explained that the number of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. is up 4.4 percent since 2010, and that higher growth rates are seen in states that specialize in certain manufacturing areas.

Glass manufacturer moves location to Indiana

One state that continues to lead the U.S. in its manufacturing sector is Indiana. This blog has previously discussed the Hoosier state's strength in the industry, and it is further proven with another company announcing that it is planning to build an office there.

SCHOTT Gemtron Corporation announced in a press release that it had moved part of its production process to Vincennes, Indiana because it needed to keep pace with increased demand for its display and freezer glass doors, door frames, shelving, and POLARIS LED lighting.

Regardless of a company's location, keeping pace with an evolving industry is important, and having comprehensive software business solutions can ensure that the nation's positive growth continues.

Experts: Cyber security crucial to changing manufacturing sector

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This blog often touts the increasingly common trend of cloud computing for manufacturing firms, and how having strong ERP software could help a business keep pace with the competition. One important thing to keep in mind though, according to industry experts, is that strong cyber security is also needed. That way, sensitive client and company data is kept safe.

Earlier this week, the Senate Commerce Committee listened to testimony from various industry leaders on why they should pass a cyber security bill on to Congress before its August recess.

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President of Tax, Technology and Domestic Economic Policy Dorothy Coleman spoke at the hearing, saying that manufacturers are committed to the protection of intellectual property (IP), sensitive data and national security. For strong economic and national security, there needs to be comprehensive cyber security in place, Coleman said.

"Defending against cyber threats is a top priority for manufacturers," she said, according to a NAM press release. "As holders of the world's leading IP, including designs, patents and trade secrets, manufacturers are consistently targeted by cyber thieves."

Coleman added that in an effort to halt impending online threats, the NAM has called for an effective public-private partnership that permits information sharing between the government and businesses.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller said at the hearing that he wants to see a bill passed on this increasingly important matter, according to The Hill. This is a significant endorsement, as there are three committees that can do something, and his is one of them. Overall though, it is necessary for the government and businesses to be willing to work together.

As cyber security details are fine tuned in the government, manufacturing firms can do their part to remain up-to-date. With comprehensive software business solutions, organizations can keep themselves prepared for whatever technological innovations come their way.

Federal Reserve: Nation sees manufacturing sector improve in June

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This blog has previously discussed how the manufacturing sector is evolving, and cloud computing and ERP software continue to push a formerly struggling industry forward. Recent numbers show that the trend is consistent, and that U.S. manufacturing remains positive.

The latest report from the Federal Reserve shows that the manufacturing industry increased production in June, with output rising 0.3 percent, following a 0.2 percent increase in May. Furthermore, manufacturers, mines and utilities rose 0.3 percent in June, which was in line with experts' expectations, according to an IndustryWeek article.

A changing industry

In Illinois, one manufacturing expert spoke with high school students, to explain the benefits of the industry and how future generations need to understand that it can be filled with high technology. It is no longer a stereotypical image of a dimly lit, loud factory. 

Clinkenbeard general manager Steve Helfer explained to WREX, a local NBC affiliate, what he told students who came to tour at his company. According to Helfer, job possibilities might seem endless post-high school, but it is important for individuals to understand all of their options. The manufacturing sector can be very rewarding and is playing a more important role in the economy.

"If you want something with satisfaction, where you can build a part, and then later see it go down the road, see it fly in the sky, and be used in real life situations, it's a job you'll enjoy,"  Helfer said.

When companies invest in manufacturing business software, they can ensure that they have the necessary tools to keep pace in a changing industry. That way, employees have access to solutions to keep their organization profitable.

Keeping manufacturing firms innovative to stay competitive

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Comprehensive manufacturing business software can have an immense impact on companies in that industry. Especially as technology continues to evolve, businesses must keep pace in order to meet customer needs and remain competitive.

Adrian Cristobal wrote an opinion piece for the Business Mirror about the future of manufacturing. According to Cristobal, manufacturing is beginning to emerge as a priority sector for many countries, including the United States.

He explained that 70 percent of research and development in the U.S. is from the manufacturing sector. In countries that might not be as economically strong, manufacturing is more vital to creating steady jobs so a stable middle class can be created.

"More important is the critical role manufacturing plays in a country's industrialization because of the wealth, knowledge and skills a society can muster, enabling it to grow industries related to one another," Cristobal wrote. "Thus, growing an automobile industry is not just about building a car, but developing the capacity to develop other industries that need the same engineering and technical skills."

Dominic Barton, the Global Managing Director of McKinsey & Co., explained to the Wall Street Journal that the future of manufacturing relies in part on innovations such as advances in robotics, Big Data, materials and additive manufacturing. Specifically, Barton said that Big Data has the capability to speed up product design by enabling more simulations before a prototype is built.

As companies look to keep pace with Big Data and other new applications, the right business management software can be greatly beneficial. Along with ERP and cloud computing, manufacturing firms can remain ahead of the competition and ensure that they have the necessary tools to remain profitable in a changing industry.

Manufacturing company moves to Indiana to compete in industry

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This blog has previously discussed Indiana's growing manufacturing industry, and how the state is currently leading the Midwest in terms of its manufacturing and logistics capabilities. Companies are beginning to take notice and want to be part of the increasingly competitive sector.

Announced in a company press release, 3D Parts Manufacturing will expand into Indianapolis and create 65 new jobs by the end of 2018. 3D Parts used to operate overseas, but administrators explained that the $6 million move will allow the business to create its plastic and steel products in a manufacturing hub. 

General manager of 3D Parts Kim Brand explained in a press release that her company is excited to launch in Indiana, and added that 3D printing will be an important asset to the already strong manufacturing industry in the state.

"Indiana's long manufacturing heritage, competitive business environment and top quality workforce made the state an ideal place to grow our business," she said. "Manufacturing is a team sport. In a world accustomed to success stories in the software and services businesses, we want to make manufacturing cool again."

3D Parts' three dimensional modeling systems and works with the medical, aerospace, automotive, defense and plastic molding industries.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith said in the press release that his state has established itself as a strong area for manufacturing companies, and adding 3D Parts will only further improve it.

The right manufacturing business software can help organizations in this industry can keep pace with changes and maintain streamlined workflow. A provider of ERP manufacturing solutions can ensure that manufacturing companies adopt a system that keeps them ahead of the competition.

How manufacturers can keep their competitive edge when all technology is equal

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Manufacturing, like virtually every other industry, has always existed on one simple rule: the organizations with the best resources were more successful than their competitors. In the manufacturing realm, the best resources typically translated to the best technology.

Companies that could afford the best IT infrastructure and manufacturing software solutions were able to stand out ahead of their competitors. But that was back when infrastructure was complex and software systems had both limited capabilities and availability. Both of those factors are changing.

The advancement of technology in recent years has significantly altered the competition scale. Companies cannot simply assume they are in a better position than the rest of the market because they have great manufacturing technology. This is mainly because in the era of mobility, streamlined data processing solutions and simplified infrastructures, everyone has great technology.

Cloud computing and the advancement of mobile technology have served as the key factors fueling this trend. Suppose in the past that a high-end manufacturer had quality desktop computers and a robust infrastructure. A smaller organization probably wouldn't have been able to match that. However, mobility and the cloud have changed all of that.

Today, a small company can obtain a cost effective cloud computing solution to handle data storage and information management. Data can be accessed and processed on mobile devices, which are often the exact same gadgets as the ones employees use in their personal lives. The trend of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) has taken off because it allows workers to equip themselves with the tools needed to do their jobs without the company having to spend excess dollars on overhead costs. 

And therein lies the issue with many manufacturers. If technology has reached a point where everyone has the same advantages, how does one company establish itself against its competition? How can an organization gain a competitive edge? 

This topic was addressed in a recent Harvard Business Review article. Aaron Levie, the article's author, suggested that organizations can't gain an edge by having the best information technology anymore, so they have to instead find better ways to process information that exists in that technology.

"In this transition from a world of IT scarcity to abundance, competitive advantage has little to do with unique access to technology, and everything to do with unique access to — and use of — information," Levie wrote. "When technology is near-ubiquitous, it's the connection between people and information that drives business forward. Organizations that capitalize on this trend will ensure that as information eats the enterprise, they'll be the ones satiated."

This is where partnering with the right manufacturing business software provider can come into play. Not only can these organizations help manufacturers obtain the solutions they need to simply stay competitive in the industry, they can also provide insights as to how to best use the technology, which in turn will increase best practices, build efficiency and drastically improve productivity. These partnerships can allow professionals in the manufacturing industry to gain the skills and knowledge they need to better use their tools.

If everyone is on the same level playing field, this may be what it takes for manufacturers to gain the edge they need to establish themselves as industry leaders.

Study: Manufacturers struggling to hire qualified personnel

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Indiana's success in the way of adding manufacturing jobs in recent years has highlighted an optimistic trend in the industry. Bringing these jobs back to domestic shores is a sign of strong economic recovery, and Indiana's efforts have established the state as one of the leaders of this initiative. However, one factor may spell long-term doom for U.S. manufacturing, unless significant moves are made to combat the problem.

According to a study from the Manufacturing Leadership Council and Frost & Sullivan, the vast majority of manufacturers have encountered difficulty in finding qualified personnel to fill new positions. The report titled "The Manufacturing Workforce: A Deepening Crisis," found that 80 percent of organizations are having trouble finding the right individuals for the job.

David Brousell, the Global Vice President and Editorial Director at the Manufacturing Leadership Council and lead author of the study, said in a recent press release that this will continue to be an issue until drastic changes are made. 

"The bottom line on the manufacturing workforce issue is that manufacturers will continue to face significant challenges in attracting the people they need to run their production facilities and operations," he said. "Absent major changes and improvements to the educational system as well as the public perception of manufacturing and the career opportunities it can offer, individual manufacturing companies will bear most of the responsibility for providing for their future workforce needs."

Having the right manufacturing software solutions in place, however, can help alleviate the problem. Working with a provider of ERP manufacturing software can help companies obtain the solutions they need to force best practices, which will help bridge the skills and knowledge gap. Doing so will allow manufacturers to continue to grow and add new personnel and mitigate some of the problems that could stem from hiring unqualified individuals. 

Report: Indiana added the third most manufacturing jobs since 2009

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Indiana's role in the reshoring of manufacturing has been well documented in this blog, and a new report adds more credence to such claims. 

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, Indiana added 53,400 manufacturing jobs between December 2009 and March 2013, making it the third most successful state over that period of time. Only Texas with 57,500 and Michigan with 88,100 have added more jobs in the sector over the past three plus years. 

Part of the country's success in this field is the ability many manufacturers have shown to diversify their operations. While some areas of production development have proven to be more practical overseas, others have found a home back on U.S. soil. 

Tony Cherin, a finance professor at San Diego State University, spoke with CNBC about the state of manufacturing and, while his initial analysis was pessimistic, he changed his tune when discussing other avenues for the industry.

"We are never going to see manufacturing in this country like it was before. We've become a more service and information industry economy, and while manufacturing is still important, it doesn't carry the weight it once did," he began, later getting into areas that did fuel domestic growth. "We still have significant presence in ship repair and high tech manufacturing, so those areas will see growth. We have high levels of skill in aircraft manufacturing, electronics and computer services."

The results of the survey show that Indiana has taken on the responsibility as one of the country's leaders, but having the right technology in place is essential to ensure growth is sustained. Diversified operations will call for complex manufacturing ERP software systems, and companies that implement the right solutions will find more success in their efforts. 

Indiana manufacturer more than doubles its projected growth

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In today's difficult economic environment, finding success stories can prove to be difficult, particularly in the area of manufacturing. Despite reports that jobs are being reshored, many domestic manufacturers have struggled to keep operations on their home soil. Creating positions has been a challenge at many organizations, which is why companies that have defied the odds and found success during these turbulent times must be equipped with the solutions needed to ensure their growth is sustainable. 

Southern Indiana manufacturer PRD Inc. is one company that managed to overcome the challenges many organizations have faced in recent years. In fact, its growth in the past year has exceeded its already lofty expectations. As part of an expansion effort, the company announced in 2012 that it would add eight jobs by 2015. As of this month, it has added 20 jobs since that announcement.

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann gave a statement regarding the manufacturer's growth and praised the company and the Indiana manufacturing sector as a whole for fueling the company's success. 

"During my visit to PRD's facility today, I was impressed with the company's injection molding process and its talented workforce," she said. "I look forward to witnessing what's around the corner for PRD as the company illustrates the benefits of doing business in southern Indiana."

Of course, without the right manufacturing business software in place it would be difficult for PRD Inc. or any other manufacturer to capitalize on its initial success. Working with a business software solutions provider will help ensure that companies in this spot are in position to sustain their growth. 

Bill Clinton speaks on importance of manufacturing to U.S. economy

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Former president Bill Clinton answered questions through Bloomberg Businessweek that were posed by U.S. civic and business leaders. When asked about the state of manufacturing in America, Clinton explained that it is a critical industry for any nation to have.

In the U.S. alone, manufacturing accounts for over 80 percent of the exports and 90 percent of the patents, Clinton said, citing information from the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce. Additionally, it is a jobs multiplier, as every manufacturing position created adds 4.6 jobs to support it.

"We do have continuing challenges," Clinton said. "They include training our workforce to meet the needs of a 21st century manufacturing sector; developing and delivering new manufactured products to domestic and global markets; and maintaining and improving our innovation culture."

The former president added that workers with significant training and the right skills must be hired for the manufacturing industry to thrive. Other countries have workforce pipelines that offer apprenticeships and fine-tuned university programs. If the United States fails to keep pace with technology, and ensure that prospective employees have the tools to keep themselves educated on evolving systems, it runs the risk of losing its competitive advantage—something that a strong manufacturing sector can give to a nation's economy.

Companies that have the right software business solutions can ensure that they have the ability to keep pace with changing technologies. Manufacturing software solutions will help businesses stay organized and give their employees the right tools to be able to contribute effectively. 

Any type of expansion, including bringing on more employees, could be a reason for manufacturing firms to reevaluate their software. Partnering with a systems provider can guarantee that the right solution is found for a business' needs.