EXECUTIVE INSIGHT

Focus

What becomes of the women who graduate with MBAs from Harvard Business School? Do they go on to fulfilling careers? Or, perhaps, do they drop out the workforce when they become mothers?
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Focus

Is a manufacturing resurgence on the horizon?

With a number of modest policy changes, the United States has the potential to undergo a manufacturing resurgence that would strengthen economic growth, greatly increase employment in the sector, and drive the industry’s portion of the GDP to a level not seen since the end of the last century, according to a recently published forecast model.

Under the model, an econometric forecast by the Aspen Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), employment would grow by 307,000 per year, or an increase of 3.7 million jobs by 2025, compared with essentially flat growth, or just 23,000 workers per year, in the baseline model.
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Focus

Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Yes, but it’s qualified. A recent Washington DC event – about the state of US manufacturing – provided hope, but speakers pointed out the sector-debilitating issues that need to be immediately addressed. Once these are effectively dealt with, then – maybe – the US will experience the highly touted “manufacturing renaissance.”
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Focus

Manufacturing: Will Recent Expansion Last?

The Institute for Supply Management™ reports that manufacturing recently saw an increase in activity. Will this become a trend?

According to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business®, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December 2012, following a month of contraction.
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Lean and Mean – and Profitable

Focus

Volume 10, Issue 31

Manufacturing operations that implement lean manufacturing and related sustainability can witness substantial reductions in waste and, in turn, costs. Commitment is key to realizing the benefits, indicates consultant Dennis Stamm. Lean thinking, which leads to lean consulting, can oil the wheels for lean design and construction.
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Greetings from Chicago: Colorful Manufacturing Picture

Focus

Volume 9, Issue 25

Results from the latest International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) present as vibrant and positive a picture as a colorful beach postcard. Registration at the most recent Chicago event reached 100,200 – the highest-ever show-to-show increase. A good omen.
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Manufacturers Rethink Strategy

Focus

Volume 8, Issue 30

In the first installment, MIT’s David Simchi-Levi discussed how manufacturers are reformulating the business strategies – based on elements such as reshoring and regionalization—and how they’re impacted by corporate taxation issues. This time, he focuses on a collaboration that can potentially drive business growth to help companies remain competitive in the changing industry landscape. As he indicated last time, US manufacturing finds itself at a “tipping point.”
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MIT Data Deduction: Manufacturers Rethink Strategy

Focus

Volume 7, Issue 27

Reshoring, supply chain issues, regionalization, government engagement – these are elements that have placed manufacturing at what MIT’s David Simchi-Levi describes as a “tipping point.” The organization went straight to the source: surveying manufacturers. Response proved revealing.
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Infrastructure: The Race is on

Focus

Volume 6, Issue 27

Hear the thundering hooves? Canada rushes from the backstretch, China closes on the inside. If the United States doesn’t keep pace, this won’t even be a photo-finish. The problem? A lazy trainer. US Seaports and private-sector partners can’t wait for slow-responding state and federal agencies to recognize an urgent need. The Industry has responded with five-year, $46-million infrastructure investment plan. A sizeable figure, true; but a necessary investment.
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Steel Demand Bodes Well for US Industry

Focus

Volume 5, Issue 23

A Ball State University research director sees increased demand for more steel, based on the needs of the automotive and energy industries. What are the implications?
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Who Will Win November? – Look to the Stock Market

Focus

Volume 4, Issue 27

Renowned economic theorist Robert R. Prechter, Jr. describes why the stock market is a good predictor of presidential elections. What’s the prognostication? Read on. Most likely you won’t lose a bet.
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Whither New York’s Manufacturing Sector? – One Leader’s Impressions

Focus

Volume 3, Issue 28

Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) provides an update about the state of his state’s manufacturing sector. He isn’t pessimistic or optimistic. He’s realistic. Numerous challenges remain. They need to be addressed in effective fashion. Issues may be microcosmic, but application is macrocosmic. His state-of-the-union message significantly differs from the economic bromides our political leaders offer. And it suggests an effective job-creation plan.
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Demand for Manufacturing Technology Defies

Focus

Volume 11, Issue 29

US manufacturing is rebounding, but some issues still need to be resolved before we can consider this a renaissance. The Association For Manufacturing Technology has a vision about what needs to be done. Part of it involves applying pressure to elected officials to develop a more sharply focused plan.
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Manufacturing Maintains Momentum

Focus

Volume 10, Issue 28

A recent Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI survey gives good reason for a positive business outlook. Manufacturing demonstrates strength despite economic turmoil, it reveals.
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