http://forums.industryweek.com Discuss any hot manufacturing topic here. en Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:18:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.industryweek.com/IWImages/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.industryweek.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/4z9K2tIgLro/showthread.php Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:09:09 GMT I received an inquiry that I am sharing here in the hopes that our readers may be able to offer some help. In part the request says: We are starting to work on the control of tooling and fixtures. The task is monumental since currently the tooling drawings are really not controlled well. ... I received an inquiry that I am sharing here in the hopes that our readers may be able to offer some help.

In part the request says: We are starting to work on the control of tooling and fixtures. The task is monumental since currently the tooling drawings are really not controlled well.

And the question is: Do you have best practices or procedures in the area of tooling control that we can learn from?

Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated. ]]> Manufacturing Talk Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=6001 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=6001 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/6UvRradPlvQ/showthread.php Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:51:05 GMT Hi,

Saw this and thought it may be interest to members of the forum.......

We have our next free Manufacturing & Supply Chain member’s web seminar taking place soon. It’s our last one until September and places are already filling up fast so be sure to register your attendance today!

Date: 1st July 2009 | Time 14:00 – 15:00 GMT

‘Combating Volatility through Flexibility’
http://manufacturing.wtgalumni.com/w...nar_020609.php

David Simchi-Levi
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems
MIT

In such an environment this web seminar will focus on three dimensions: Cost, Cash and Service. That is, it is important to identify strategies to reduce cost and cut working capital (cash) while at the same time maintain or increase service levels.

This webinar will enable you to:

•Achieve multiple objectives through flexibility
•Introduce flexibility into your Manufacturing and Supply Chain strategies
•Respond effectively to ongoing change
•Estimate how much flexibility is required

Places are strictly limited – Register your free attendance now
http://manufacturing.wtgalumni.com/w...nar_020609.php

Please pass this on to any interested colleagues. ]]> Manufacturing Talk JamesR http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5801 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5801 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/k5sSTg64P7Q/showthread.php Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:33:06 GMT The 2009 International Engine of the Year awards were just announced. The competition is organized by Engine Technology International, and the judges are 65 motoring journalists from around the globe. Among the winners are: *International Engine of the Year*--Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI... The 2009 International Engine of the Year awards were just announced. The competition is organized by Engine Technology International, and the judges are 65 motoring journalists from around the globe.

Among the winners are:

International Engine of the Year--Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger

Best New Engine of the Year--Porsche 3.8-litre Flat Six

Green Engine of the Year--Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger

Best Performance Engine--Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre

There also are eight winners based on engine capacity. You can see the full list here. ]]> Manufacturing Talk Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5661 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5661 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/aLiCojyEads/showthread.php Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:52:47 GMT Manufacturing and distribution organizations have unique opportunities to improve their operations via ERP software solutions, according to a study issued today by Panorama Consulting Group, an independent ERP consulting firm in Denver. Industries included in the study include consumer products,... Manufacturing and distribution organizations have unique opportunities to improve their operations via ERP software solutions, according to a study issued today by Panorama Consulting Group, an independent ERP consulting firm in Denver. Industries included in the study include consumer products, telecommunications, energy, engineering, construction, transportation, food & beverage, retail, and metal-working organizations.

The report reveals that SAP has the leading ERP software market share in the manufacturing and distribution industry, followed by Oracle and Microsoft. The study also shows that Tier II vendors have a 27% share in the manufacturing and distribution ERP market, which is more than the 23% market share these vendors have in other industries.

“The study reveals that large Tier I ERP solutions are not the only viable options for manufacturers and distributors,” says Eric Kimberling, President and Founder of Panorama Consulting Group. “There are plenty of Tier II and industry-focused software vendors that can meet the complex requirements of manufacturing and distribution companies, especially those in the small- to mid-size space.”

The study also includes manufacturing and distribution ERP implementation results. “The average implementation duration for manufacturing and distribution companies is 19 months, compared to 20 months in other industries. These companies take an average of 4 months to conduct their evaluation and selection process, and an average of 15 months to complete the processes of fully implementing their ERP solutions,” says Kimberling. The study also shows that manufacturers and distributors experience an average total cost of ownership of $8.2 million, or 8.6% of annual revenue. Companies spend almost 23% of their total implementation budget on business implementation costs, including third-party consulting fees.

“In today’s evolving business environment, manufacturers and distributors have a great deal of opportunity to leverage ERP to enhance revenue, productivity, and overall effectiveness. ERP solutions can help companies increase operational efficiency, coordinate global supply chains, and modernize their warehouse and logistics functions,” says Kimberling. This study also includes insight into implementation variables and common pitfalls of ERP selection and implementation.

Companies such as Panorama Consulting Group offer independent ERP software selection and implementation expertise, as well as tools that help manufacturers and distributors reduce their total cost of ownership and optimize measurable business results.
To offer further analysis of the study results, Kimberling will present the free webcast, “Tips to Leverage ERP to Improve Your Manufacturing and Distribution Operations” on July 16 at 10:00 am MST. Register for the seminar at http://www.panorama-consulting.com/M...ERPReport.html.

Panorama Consulting Group 2008 ERP Report

The 2008 ERP Report was conducted by Panorama Consulting Group via online polling and was supplemented with a sample survey of respondents. Information was collected from December 2005 to November 2008. The 670 participants represent global organizations that have implemented ERP within the last three years. The full report can be accessed at: http://www.panorama-consulting.com/M...ERPReport.html.

Panorama Consulting Group

Founded in 2005, Panorama Consulting Group is a consulting firm specializing in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) market for companies globally. Independent of affiliation, Panorama helps firms evaluate and select ERP software, manages the implementation of the software, and facilitates all related organizational changes to assure that each of its clients realize the full business benefits of their ERP implementation. More information can be found on their website, http://www.panorama-consulting.com. ]]> Manufacturing Talk erickimberling http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5651 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5651 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/nM7HJ2Ej6hk/showthread.php Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:13:37 GMT Today's online version of the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Indian truck maker Mahindra & Mahindra is planning a quick move into the U.S. market by aligning with former Chrysler dealerships. You can read the full article here.

It only makes sense and is smart thinking by Mahindra, I think. An interesting detail in the article is one that talks about how the trucks will get to the U.S. for sale. Initially they will be imported, the article says, citing a Mahindra official, but eventually "Mahindra plans to assemble them through a contract manufacturing partner in the United States by mid-2010."

Who would that be? ]]> Manufacturing Talk Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5631 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5631 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/FnVGtxyv0Ig/showthread.php Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:45:42 GMT Anyone in need of a dust, fume, or mist collector? Would you like honest answers on what size, type, and how large of a collector for any application? Let me know, I can help sort out these questions? I have been in this business for over 15 years as an applications engineer working for... Anyone in need of a dust, fume, or mist collector? Would you like honest answers on what size, type, and how large of a collector for any application? Let me know, I can help sort out these questions? I have been in this business for over 15 years as an applications engineer working for companies such as Aercology and Torit Donaldson and now AER Control Systems. ]]> Manufacturing Talk RobGabelmann http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5511 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5511 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/YwKCdrqc3NU/showthread.php Thu, 28 May 2009 15:51:04 GMT While GM going bankrupt won't affect their position in the IW U.S. 500 (at least for this year where they are #5) it will lead to them being removed from the 30 companies that make up the Dow.

Who would be your choice replace them on the Dow?

CNBC is conducting a poll to see who should replace GM. Just before noon today (May 28) they had over 5,295 votes with Apple holding a lead (Over Abbott and Google)

Wells Fargo -- 9.1%
Goldman Sachs -- 10%
Amazon -- 9.4%
Apple -- 20%
Google -- 13%
Cisco -- 10%
ConocoPhillips -- 9.9%
Abbott Labs -- 18%

For reference, here are the 30 Dow companies.

3M
American Express
AT&T
Bank of America
Boeing
Caterpillar
Chevron
Citigroup
Coca-Cola
E.I. du Pont de Nemours
ExxonMobil
General Electric
General Motors
Hewlett-Packard
Home Depot
Intel
IBM
Johnson & Johnson
JP Morgan & Chase
Kraft Foods
McDonald's
Merck & Co.
Microsoft
Pfizer
Procter & Gamble
United Technologies Corporation
Verizon
Wal-Mart
Walt Disney

Who would be your pick? Either from CNBC's list or go "off the board."

I like the idea of Amazon in that "new Economy" sort of way... ]]> Manufacturing Talk Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5221 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5221 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IWManufacturingTalk/~3/TQbgJ5S2uuA/showthread.php Wed, 27 May 2009 21:46:43 GMT I've not seen the new Star Trek movie yet and I'm not sure whether I will or not. (I was a big fan of the original series, though.) In any event, I just heard yesterday that the engine room of the Enterprise was actually filmed in a Budweiser plant. I'm wondering--particularly for those of you who work in a process industry--how obvious that was to any of you in manufacturing? ]]> Manufacturing Talk Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5211 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=5211