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Is It Time to Hire a Purchasing Supervisor for Your Team?

February 6, 2025

A purchasing supervisor plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and other workers relevant to purchasing materials, products, and services. They also manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, ensure timely material procurement, and maintain cost efficiency. A purchasing supervisor mitigates risks, reduces waste, and improves supply chain reliability. They also resolve supply chain…

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Digital Twins: Transforming Manufacturing Processes Through Virtual Replication

January 16, 2025

Digital twins can rapidly drive operational efficiency, scale capacity, and increase resilience in manufacturing firms. Real-time virtual replication of the factory deepens understanding of complex physical systems and production operations, optimizes production scheduling, and simulates scenarios to understand the impact of potential actions. Digital twins support fast, cost-effective decision-making. For instance, manufacturing leaders can use…

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Key Trends Shaping the Manufacturing Workforce in 2025

January 8, 2025

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 484,000 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin in October 2024, a 1% increase from the previous 12-month period. Also in October 2024, the BLS reported 319,500 manufacturing jobs in Minnesota, a 1.2% decrease from the previous 12-month period. Understanding key trends shaping the manufacturing workforce in 2025 helps employers…

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Creative Strategies to Provide Flexibility for Your Manufacturing Workforce

December 19, 2024

According to the National Association of Manufacturers Q1 2023 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, approximately 47% of firms offer flexible scheduling to production workers. The tight labor market was one of the top reasons. According to a 2023 study by The Manufacturing Institute and Colonial Life, approximately 50% of manufacturing employees cite flexibility as a reason they…

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How to Attract Top Talent for Senior Leadership Roles in Manufacturing

December 4, 2024

The 2021 Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute Manufacturing Talent study found that US manufacturing is expected to have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. Senior leadership roles could be among these unfilled jobs. Attracting top talent for senior leadership roles in manufacturing is essential for business success. Leaders guide the organization and make decisions that…

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The Challenge of Recruiting in Niche Manufacturing Sectors

November 21, 2024

Recruiting for niche manufacturing sectors can be challenging. Sectors such as aerospace and medical devices require specialized skills that few manufacturing professionals have. Fortunately, hiring managers can take steps to recruit in niche manufacturing sectors. The following suggestions can help. Recruiting for Niche Manufacturing Roles Recruiting for niche manufacturing roles requires more outreach, personalization, and…

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Winter Workplace Safety: Preparing Your Manufacturing Facility for Cold Weather

November 7, 2024

Winter workplace safety should be a top priority for your manufacturing firm. Therefore, you should begin preparing your manufacturing facility for cold months well before the weather begins to turn. Proactively preparing your manufacturing facility for cold weather enhances winter workplace safety. Showing you value your workforce elevates employee engagement, productivity, and performance. These factors…

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Handling Micro-Stoppages: Identifying and Eliminating Hidden Time Wasters on the Production Floor

October 17, 2024

Micro-stoppages are brief interruptions during production. They can be caused by power outages, process inefficiencies, material handling issues, environmental factors, operator error, or equipment malfunctions. Although micro-stoppages might last a few seconds, the interruptions quickly add up. The results include impacted production schedules, significant losses of efficiency and productivity, and potential missed deadlines. These factors…

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Finding Passive Talent: Why Top Manufacturing Professionals Are Worth the Extra Effort

October 3, 2024

Finding passive manufacturing talent is worth the extra effort. Because these professionals are not actively seeking new opportunities, they can bring significant experience and stability to your organization. These factors reduce hiring, onboarding, and training costs. Most passive manufacturing professionals demonstrate strong engagement, performance, and job satisfaction. These factors increase productivity, employee morale, retention, and…

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Hiring Manufacturing Talent During Uncertain Times: How to Attract Top Talent with Confidence

October 2, 2024

Recruiting top manufacturing talent can be challenging during times of economic and political uncertainty. As industry leaders navigate these complex times, the need for a strategic approach to hiring becomes even more critical. To successfully grow your manufacturing team, it’s essential to highlight the stability and opportunities your organization offers, ensuring that you attract the…

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