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Fashionistas say they know as much about innovation—and outsourcing—as the othersBy Kevin Parker (kparker@reedbusiness.com), May 1, 2008The needs of the fashion industry, when it comes to product life-cycle management (PLM), are different from those of other discrete manufacturers. But as systems evolve for fashion life-cycle management, it may be that these fashionistas—obsessed as they are with visual images—have something to teach other kinds of goods makers. More
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Metal finisher enjoys real-time costs picture from ERP for the order-driven businessBy Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor (malcolm_wheatley@compuserve.com), May 1, 2008When Rosler Metal Finishing hung out its shingle in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1999, its enterprise application needs were relatively few. As a manufacturer and distributor of machine tool consumables on behalf of its German parent company, Rösler GmbH, simple spreadsheets and a basic accounting package cut the mustard. More
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Outsourcing maintenance opens up plant availability for Tier 1 auto supplierBy Jim Fulcher (jimfulcher@comcast.net), May 1, 2008The decision for Griffin, Ga.-based Nacom Corp., an electronic assembly supplier to automotive OEMs, to relocate to Mexico wasn't an easy one. The most pressing priority leading up to the move was building sufficient stock inventory to meet customers' requirements during the transition—even though the plant was closing. More
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Bold changes ahead: Electronics manufacturing rethinks the supply chain; the time is now to review your long-term strategies.By Bruce Rayner, VP, consulting and research, Technology Forecasters Inc., May 1, 2008Since the advent of contract printed circuit board assembly almost three decades ago, the one certainty in outsourced electronics manufacturing has been uncertainty. Regional shifts, service offerings, and the ups and downs of the business all require quick reflexes. Companies thrive if they're able to embrace the uncertainty of constant change. More
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Automotive SOA exchanges live information between plant floor, enterprise solutionsBy Jim Fulcher (jimfulcher@comcast.net), May 1, 2008The sticking point when trying to connect the top floor with the shop floor is they usually aren't on the same common platform or infrastructure, claims Fred Yentz, COO, ILS Technology LLC. “What makes matters worse,” he says, “is manufacturers don't want custom middleware.” But for some companies in the automotive industry, that's changing due to collaboration starting ... More
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Closing the loop: Global services partnership supports packaging manufacturing operationsBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, April 9, 2008AICOMP is teaming up with Apriso and the SAP Industry Value Network (IVN) to deliver innovative solutions for packaging manufacturers. A recent deployment successfully integrates Apriso’s operations execution solution with SAP ERP at multiple locations for one of the largest paper and packaging companies in the world. More
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Sidney Hill, Jr.: Boeing's tanker contract protest raises questions about globalizationBy Sidney Hill, Jr., executive editor, April 1, 2008When Boeing filed its formal protest of the U.S. Air Force's decision to award a $40 billion contract to build refueling tankers to a competing bidder, the Chicago-based aircraft maker also raised a profound question: Do U.S.-based corporations want to compete in a global marketplace, or do they merely want to reap the spoils of globalization? This question arose because the winning bidder is a... More
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Automating vendor managed inventory in the ultracompetitive papermaking industryBy Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor, April 1, 2008Korsnäs AB makes the specialty board and papers used in packaging liquid and food products. Papermaking at the moment is an intensely competitive industry. In fact, Korsnäs says competition within its carton board segment is higher as a result of imports from low-cost countries like Brazil and Chile, the weakened state of the U. More
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Pharma makers secure full chain of custody using Acsis track & traceBy Jim Fulcher, contributing editor (jimfulcher@comcast.net), April 1, 2008It's one thing to track drugs moving through production; following them throughout the supply chain is the bigger headache—and one for which there is no magic pill. “As an industry, pharmaceutical manufacturers are taking steps to quickly respond to evolving patient safety requirements,” says Andre Pino, chief marketing officer at Acsis, a track & trace solutions supplier. More
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Classification by numbers: Dutch chemicals manufacturer adopts e Cl@ss-based spend analysisMalcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor, Heerlen, The Netherlands, March 28, 2008Colin Rickard, a managing director with data-management specialist DataFlux, says work with chemicals giant DSM prompted development of an off-the-shelf commodity coding solution for the purchasing and spend-analysis process that saves users time when managing data quality with international coding standards such as UNSPSC and e Cl@ss. More
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Visual nature: Fashionistas say they know as much about innovation—and outsourcing—as the othersKevin Parker, editorial director, March 25, 2008The needs of the fashion industry, when it comes to product life-cycle management (PLM), are different from those of other discrete manufacturers. But as systems evolve for fashion life-cycle management, it may be that these fashionistas—obsessed as they are with visual images—have something to teach other kinds of goods makers. More
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Real-time control: Spellman charges up Lean, continuous improvement using Apriso operations solutionBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, March 25, 2008More
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Sweet savings: Bakery products leader leans out logistics using on-demand TMSBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, March 24, 2008Otis Spunkmeyer will use LeanLogistics' on-demand solution to overhaul distribution operations and lower transportation spend throughout the U.S., Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. The solution will be used for planning, execution, and settlement of transportation processes.
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IQS quality solution remakes automotive supply chain in U.S., then ChinaBy Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor (malcolm_wheatley@compuserve.com), March 1, 2008Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Cequent Group, which makes automotive towing systems, trailer parts, and associated brake and electrical components, recently rolled out an enterprise quality management system from IQS to its Chinese supplier base. Embedded in Cequent's U.S. manufacturing operations since 2002, the intention was to duplicate the system's success in establishing both a formal quali... More
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Fly high on a threadBy Roberto Michel, senior contributing editor, March 1, 2008Only several of more than 2,600 F-35 Lightning II aircraft that Lockheed Martin eventually will build have rolled off the end of its assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, but Charles T. “Tom” Burbage already sees signs that the production strategy for this plane—also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)—is working. More
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Simulation, better forecasting, and advanced planning smooth lean transition to the supply chainBy Malcolm Wheatley, senior contributing editor, March 1, 2008At Nissan's Sunderland, U.K. manufacturing plant, demand for the new “crossover” Qashqai sport utility vehicle has exceeded all sales expectations. Already running 24/7, the plant just recently created almost 800 new jobs. To squeeze every scrap of manufacturing capacity out of the plant, simulation tools from Lanner Group have been at the forefront of the battle to eliminate waste ... More
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Paperless trail: Parsec automation unveils electronic audit solutionBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 29, 2008Parsec Automation Corp., a supplier of real-time performance management solutions, has released a new application that can create electronic records and signatures for all changes made to the production-related data. The solution—called AUDITTrak—will ensure a company’s compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 21 CFR Part 11. More
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Designs on compliance: Kongsberg Automotive tackles regulations using quality, risk management solutionsBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 29, 2008Dyadem's FMEA-Pro quality and risk life-cycle management solution will allow Kongsberg Automotive to unify its compliance reporting from development through preparation and production, resulting in an efficient way to meet its rigorous quality standards. More
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Curing complexity: Pfizer Switzerland advances spend management initiatives with AribaBy Manufacturing Business Technology Staff, February 28, 2008An early adopter of spend management solutions, Pfizer Switzerland initially sought to lower its costs of doing business. AribaBuyer is used to streamline procurement of simple and complex categories, from orders through invoices and payment. In adding Ariba Sourcing, Pfizer Switzerland was able to shorten tender processes. More
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Windows on the road: Microsoft Auto becoming entertainment platform for more cars Sarah A. Webster, Detroit Free Press, February 20, 2008
Microsoft Corp. plans to announce another deal with a major automaker to use its Microsoft Auto operating system by the end of the year. The global software giant already has two deals worldwide, including one to power Ford's popular Sync wireless hands-free communication and entertainment system.
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