Search

The article examines research on U.S. manufacturing industries. A survey conducted by the consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in which a majority of firms reported plans to increase hiring in 2014 is contrasted with statements by Wharton School of Business faculty member Peter Cappelli that industrial productivity has improved so significantly that a major increase in demand is needed to increase employment in manufacturing industries.

The article discusses streamlining and efficiency initiatives in manufacturing corporations. Topics include a poll of manufacturing executives from research organization KPMG Marwick, innovation, and anticipated industry growth in the U.S., India, and China. Business models that incorporate collaborative services are mentioned.

The article discusses the major challenge faced by the manufacturing industry worldwide as population and consumption continue to grow. It argues that the industry is expected to meet the people's needs to have a better quality of life, and argues that such expectation can be achieved by increasing industrial productivity. It also examines whether the U.S. industrial sector is able to expand its capacity, and emphasizes the importance of the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices.

The article discusses how to handle project justification to avoid the dispproval of a manufacturing project. According to the author, detailing the justification requires a lot of homework because it is the return on investment (ROI) of the project and project leaders must determine the ROI on the efficiency and effectiveness between current and future processes. It is said that it is important to keep track of running time, down time, cycle time, scrap and failure mode and to quantify the control in order to calculate the potential benefit of the project.

The article focuses on the seven aspects of lean thinking which influence the people's mindset towards industrial management. It is stated that the lean thinking challenges personal philosophy in business settings, encourages the use of economic solutions for industrial problems and takes any one to the higher level of efficiency. Lean thinking covers the entire process of manufacturing which leads to greater impact in the marketplace. Lean thinking requires dedication and openness around goals, expectations and outcomes.

Reports on the loss of manufacturing jobs in China for the entire economy between 1995 and 2002. Number of registered job losses between 1995 and 2002 of China's major industries; Effect of improved technologies and resource re-allocation from lower to higher value activities on productivity; Identification of industries with the higher job losses.