IndustryWeek

Manufacturers are caught between conflicting signals: softening demand, unpredictable input prices and a stubbornly high cost of capital. Dan Cakora, a pricing #economist and business consultant with Vendavo, says that while the temptation may be to wait for things to stabilize, "companies that thrive won’t be those who sit on the sidelines." Instead, Cakora offers 3 moves to make now "to improve margins, reduce risk and ensure you are positioned for growth when conditions turn favorable." #economy #manufacturing #riskmanagement https://lnkd.in/eqMDcjQr

In IndustryWeek's fifth and final installment of #Manufacturing Gamechangers, the COVID-19 #pandemic sends manufacturing into a tailspin as companies try to figure out how to keep workers safe (and showing up) as the economy plummets, materials shortages proliferate and product demand fluctuates wildly. Manufacturers collaborate and pivot, workers find new strength in old #unions and #AI finally gains traction. It's an exciting time. IW's Laura Putre, Anna Smith, Ryan Secard, Jill Jusko and Dennis Scimeca address these events and more. Special thanks to IndustryWeek contributors Jamie Flinchbaugh, Christopher Tang, Carolyn Hendrickson, PhD, Warren Browne and Lauren Pittelli  and former IndustryWeek editors Patricia Panchak and Travis Hessman, who all gave us valuable input on the list. We’d like to hear from our readers as well. Do you have a gamechanger that’s not on the list—or have your own unique list in mind? https://lnkd.in/eNMpqHFd

Welcome to "So That Happened," our editors’ takes on things going on in the #manufacturing world that deserve some extra attention. In this edition, IndustryWeek editors cover a #leadership announcement at The Timken Company, #STEM scholarships, messy paint and other important news. https://lnkd.in/e4qHZYut

General Motors CFO Paul Jacobson discussed the impact of #regulatory changes on auto companies at a recent J.P. Morgan conference. Electric vehicles’ falling profitability will require more structural changes at GM, he said, adding that he will be surprised if "there aren’t fewer #EV retailers or EV sellers in the next four to five years." #automotive #electriccars #electric #manufacturing https://lnkd.in/ejkyh9DS

In our fourth installment of #Manufacturing Gamechangers, trends, technology and shifts in the collective psyche begin to take shape that today, years later, have moved from the margins into the mainstream. The pendulum swings on #trade as businessman and reality TV star Donald #Trump campaigns on #tariffs and wins the presidency in an upset. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration partners with private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, laying the groundwork for commercial space travel. And the Paris Climate Agreement gives CEOs the nudge needed to start looking at #sustainability as essential to business growth and cost savings. IW's Laura Putre, Anna Smith, Ryan Secard, Jill Jusko and Dennis Scimeca address these events and more. Special thanks to IndustryWeek contributors Jamie Flinchbaugh, Christopher Tang, Carolyn Hendrickson, PhD, Warren Browne and Lauren Pittelli  and former IW editors Patricia Panchak and Travis Hessman, who all gave us valuable input on the list. https://lnkd.in/eGCKEZjg

When GE Appliances, a Haier company redesigned one of its freestanding range platforms, Luther Ingram, president and executive director at Roper Corporation and plant manager at Ropers’ facility in LaFayette, Georgia, decided it was also time to redesign the #manufacturing lines that produced the ovens. That meant an opportunity to consider #automation options. Hear from Ingram and GE Appliances' Bill Good, #supplychain VP, as they discuss with IndustryWeek's Dennis Scimeca their #technology strategy as well specific technologies they considered, such as #robots #AGVs and others. #lean #strategy https://lnkd.in/eFJKgk_y

Our review of the the top 25 game-changing moments of the past 25 years continues, with this third installment. From the #shale gas boom to China taking over the U.S. in #manufacturing output, we are pleased to present this selection of game-changing moments that made a mark on manufacturing, courtesy of Laura Putre, Ryan Secard, Anna Smith and Jill Jusko. We'll be back next week with more game-changing moments. IndustryWeek Tesla #ManufacturingDay https://lnkd.in/eVzjNnsh

I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Ujjwal Kumar at Teradyne Robotics earlier today about the potential of humanoid machines to replace traditional robots or people on factory floors. Thanks to United States Postal Service for public-domain stamp images of Star Wars droids. For the full conversation, follow the link. https://lnkd.in/eC-Yyugm

Why Do You Want Your #Robots to Look Like People Anyway? Plant managers have found over and over again that people are better than robots at many tasks. #Automation boosts productivity when used properly, but people can adapt to changing tasks more quickly. Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics, says the current slate of #humanoid robots getting attention worldwide are really cool, but they can't replace humans on the shop floor. During this livestream, we'll discuss the current slate of humanoid robots, the benefits of traditional routes and how to tell which tasks to assign to people.

We're back with more game-changing moments that impacted #manufacturing. From Ford Motor Company saving itself and avoiding an auto bailout, to #millennials entering the workforce (and shaking it up), to the rise of #cobots, today we introduce five more game-changing moments from the past 25 years. Jill Jusko, Laura Putre, Anna Smith, Ryan Secard and Dennis Scimeca on our staff present the second five of those today with more to come throughout this week and next. And, a special thank you to Jamie Flinchbaugh, Christopher Tang, Carolyn Hendrickson, PhD, Warren Browne and Lauren Pittelli for contributing their ideas. https://lnkd.in/es48N2XY