Resources for business management

How to Manage and Benefit from Change

2012-11-21T10:14:38-06:00

Great organizations are always changing. I don't mean change for the sake of change, but planned, structured, progressive change that enables organizations to grow, evolve, survive and thrive in any type of marketplace.

When discussing change, many questions arise, such as: "How can you leverage and manage change?" "How can you become a change agent who is constantly and proactively preparing for change?" "How can you create a culture where you are able to make change work to your advantage rather than allowing it to destroy you?"

The better question is, "Why change?" The answer is reflected in the statements below, adapted from Joseph Rost's Leadership for the Twenty-First Century:

"Everything that can be invented has been invented." (Charles H. Duell, director of the U.S. Patent Office, 1899)
"Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote." (Grover Cleve

How to Make Customers Feel Valued

2012-08-20T08:50:09-05:00

I had occasion to go to the doctor’s office recently. It was for a basic checkup, and since I am a lean guy to my bones, I want to focus on the visit from my perspective — the customer. My appointment was for 10 a.m., and I arrived there promptly at about five minutes until 10. I signed the sign-in sheet, found a magazine and started reading. At about 10:25 (25 minutes after my appointment time), I was called back to the examination area, where the nurse told me to go in and wait. I then sat in the smaller waiting room for about 15 more minutes before the nurse came in to examine me. This was not the real exam; this was merely a preliminary exam. She took my weight and blood pressure and asked me if I had been feeling sick or otherwise had any concerns. This process of her visit with me took her about five minutes. So on the time scale, I had been in the office for 45 minutes and had human interaction for about five of those minutes.

As the nurse left, she told me to ge

How to Gain a Competitive Advantage in a Tough Economy

2012-07-25T08:50:35-05:00

With the current economic environment, there is always the tendency to hunker down and try to ride the storm out, but is that the best strategy? Probably not. While there is most certainly a need to watch budgets closely — even very closely — and tighten up on extra activity, now is the time to take advantage of developing your current employees to help improve your operation and, in fact, all business activities.

A growing number of companies have been actively implementing and even working to accelerate training within industry (TWI) into their everyday business practices and operations. The program is designed to enable improvements every day by everyone, create a more functional relationship between employees and their supervisor (which is translated into solving issues before they become a problem), and getting workers properly trained in record time. To summarize: Save money, leverage and enhance tribal knowledge, and make the entire business enterprise more compe

Developing the Abilities of the Maintenance Manager

2012-07-23T09:15:36-05:00

In today’s environment of reliability excellence, integrated maintenance/operations teams, new technologies and constant pressure to make maintenance more effective and elevate it to a prominent value-added position, the maintenance manager must become a business unit manager with equal footing with other plant functions.

Maintenance managers operate a business within a business. They have 24-hour/seven-days-a-week responsibility, a product to deliver, customers, resource allocations, planning, people development responsibilities, political acumen, accountability and drive. They also have the highest-trained workforce with a lot of untapped talent and creativity. What should this professional manager have in his backpack?

For the last 10 years of my career at the United States Postal Service, I sponsored a maintenance leadership mentoring program that was designed to improve and expand the abilities of our managers to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. We stri

Communicate to Change Your Culture

2012-07-20T08:33:05-05:00

In many of the articles and books that are published today, you see a great amount of improvements in different industries and companies using different methodologies and tools. Many times, it seems that if you use the same tools or methods, you should get the same results. This is not always the case. There is an underlying story to a company that excels in making improvements, and that is the culture. I like to think of the culture as the foundation to effective operation. Culture includes leadership, initiative, teamwork and all of the other nice words we love to throw out.

Webster’s defines culture as “All the knowledge and values shared by a society.” I think the interesting part of this definition is the word “shared.” Have you ever been in an environment where everyone seems anxious to pitch in and volunteer to help others accomplish projects? In these instances, everyone has a shared sense of purpose. Each one of them probably knows how importa

Improve Productivity with Checklists

2012-06-11T08:33:21-05:00

As an unrepentant checklist fanatic/junkie, I recently had to pick myself up off the floor in an airport newsstand. There with all the romance novels and the latest silver-bullet management books was The Checklist Manifesto by Dr. Atul Gawande. A best-selling book about checklists? The world wants to read about checklists?

This is the beginning of hope for the world. It is a great book that I obviously recommend reading. I also recommend giving copies of it to everyone you work with. The price of the book is nothing vs. the value it delivers.

A practicing surgeon, Dr. Gawande goes over the incredible reductions in hospital deaths and infections achieved through the use of checklists. In an eight hospital study, there was a 36-percent drop in major surgical complications and a 47-perc

Communicating Effectively During Change

2012-05-09T08:52:25-05:00

I have never been known to be musically inclined, but I can recognize a great song when I hear one. One of these great songs is “I Heard It through the Grapevine.” This particular song has been recorded and re-recorded numerous times over the years by many different artists, and although it may bring thoughts of animated raisins to people in my generation, it is more closely associated with Marvin Gaye.

“Oh, I heard it through the grapevine,
Oh, and I’m just about to lose my mind,
Honey, honey, yeah.”

Just as the grapevine in this song had a strong impact, the communication grapevine remains an extremely powerful medium for corporate communications. The effectiveness of grapevine communication and its use – both intentional and unintentional – should not be ignored.

When coaching clients during major change initiatives, we continuously stress the importance of effective communication. Experienc

Is Proper Torquing Part of Your Standard Work?

2012-04-18T08:53:44-05:00

Read enough original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended procedures and you will notice that a common thread is proper torque values for fasteners. Many standard work (and standard operating) procedures in industrial facilities list recommended or required torque values for jobs like gasket replacements, motor alignments, bearing installations and gearbox rebuilds, yet we often see technicians performing these functions without torque wrenches on the jobsite. Availability and management reinforcement both play a major role here. Both need to be addressed.

Availability is the first to attack since you can’t very well require a technician to use a torque wrench if none are available. If you list torque values on your procedures but don’t have torque wrenches available, you lose credib

Know Your Expectations When Introducing Change

2012-03-28T08:27:15-05:00

You can be forgiven if you don’t recognize Arnold Vosloo’s name. In fact, you have to be a bit of a movie buff to have a chance at this one – and by movie buff, I mean you don’t leave the theater until the credits display key grip or you know what C.S.A. stands for. For the non-buffs, Vosloo is the actor who played the character “Imhotep” in the 1999 movie “The Mummy” (i.e., he played the mummy). In the category of “Best Portrayal of a Resurrected Supporting Actor or Actress” (not yet a category, but under consideration), Vosloo is an Oscar shoe-in. He is also a brilliant change agent.

During the filming of “The Mummy,” director Stephen Sommers was providing Vosloo with a deeper understanding of his character. Mummified almost 5,000 years ago, Imhotep has been resurrected by accident, and a number of steps are required to allow him to fully rematerialize. During the re-materialization steps, Imhotep gains incre

Make Problem-Solving Simple in Your Plant

2012-03-12T08:53:55-05:00

When it comes to problem-solving activities in plants and how to go about them, the typical engineering-oriented approach tends to be very rigorous and detailed, with the objective of getting to the absolute correct technical solution.

While this level of rigor seems perhaps commendable, the question to ask is, “What is the value of taking extended time to rigorously solve a single issue if the majority of the attendees don’t see any way that they can apply such a process to the frequent issues they must deal with?”

The rigorous approach is great when you’re working with left-brain-dominant engineers, but it is not for everyone. Of course, to be realistic, there are many problems that need a very rigorous process. However, what we’re actually trying to do in the majority of these plant exercises is:

Get people to realize the value in gathering enough accurate information to understand an issue before coming up with soluti

3 Ways to Achieve Successful Reliability

2012-03-07T08:10:25-06:00

Reliability is important to every manufacturing operation. Successful reliability requires communication, cooperation and coordination. To learn the importance of these three Cs, let’s examine how your organization is structured and how it operates.

How much does unscheduled downtime cost and where does the responsibility for that unscheduled downtime lie? Is the unscheduled downtime because someone unilaterally decided to run to failure, or is it because the work request was in the “system” but not responded to in a timely fashion to preclude the unscheduled downtime caused by an unscheduled failure?

Does a competent operator know when there is an anomaly with the equipment? Since a good operator is a living, breathing data-acquisition machine, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” In the state of normal operation, good operators are cognizant of anomalies in the equipment they operate approximately one-fourth of the week.

A follow-u

How Learning Can Change Behavior, Produce Results

2012-02-29T08:14:35-06:00

Many people are familiar with A3 analysis as a management process – a methodology for thinking, planning, problem-solving and then starting all over again. In this process, you begin by defining the problem, describing the current conditions, and defining goals and targets (what’s the desired outcome?). Next, you analyze what has caused the gap between current conditions and the desired outcome, and you design a countermeasure to help you reach the future state. Then, the A3 process calls for planning who will do what, plus a follow-up step to capture what has happened, what you’ve learned and what issues remain.

Many elements of this A3 analysis apply to planning for and implementing effective learning strategies. There’s a big gap when it comes to workplace learning – the gap between what often constitutes training and the desired outcome of improved performance. If you invest in learning and nothing changes, has learning taken place?

Ofte

5 Secrets for an Effective Bill of Materials

2012-02-15T08:53:07-06:00

If your company was manufacturing automobiles, appliances, iPads or even cardboard boxes, you certainly wouldn’t think about scheduling production without a complete and accurate bill of materials (BOM) for each finished product so you could determine your raw material requirements from a master schedule. So why is it that many process industries not only begin operation without equipment BOMs, but go for years – sometimes decades – without them?

When we ask people to assess the quality of their equipment BOMs, the comments we get most often are: “They don’t exist,” or “We have some of the data, but we don’t know if it’s accurate.” When we ask why that’s the case, the response is usually: “We don’t have the information,” or more likely, “We don’t have the resources to do all that work.”

So instead of taking the time to build and maintain the BOMs, they just g

Involve the Right People for Effective Change

2012-02-08T10:05:42-06:00

In “Alice in Wonderland,” the white rabbit is eternally behind schedule and skittishly hyperactive. What is easily overlooked is his firm grasp of the subtle intricacies of effective change management. For example, he off-handedly advises Alice, “Don’t just do something, stand there!”

Although this statement initially appears counterintuitive – after all, much of formal change management is getting individuals to actually do things differently – the change will only be effective when the right people do the right things.

Oftentimes during change, so much emphasis is placed on end results that we take shortcuts on the way those end results are achieved. For instance, during a recent engagement, a client was implementing a new process for the operators to follow. To meet the expectation of a speedy implementation, the area manager intended to provide the process training to the operators. On the surface, that might not sound like a

How to Use Key Performance-based Metrics

2012-02-01T08:38:35-06:00

In today’s competitive global environment, we are constantly being asked to do more with less. Now more than ever, companies are asking their employees to become more productive, more efficient and more “lean.”

Strategic planning, value stream mapping, reliability engineering, loss elimination – these phrases have become popular from the boardroom to the shop floor. But where does their value really lie? How do we make decisions that uncover value, eliminate loss and allow for proper strategic planning for the future?

The answer lies not in the decisions we make but in the data we use to make those decisions. Good, strong data is key to making good, strong decisions. We are all familiar with the axiom of “garbage in, garbage out.” So what kind of data should we use? What metrics give us the best snapshot of our current levels of performance?

Asset utilization (AU) and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) are key performance

Know Where You Are Going for Successful Change

2012-01-18T08:44:14-06:00

Early in his change-management career, Yogi Berra was advising a professional sports organization in New York on some of the finer points of managing change. At the executive briefing, Berra delivered his change-management theory overview, which he summed up in this single statement: “You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might end up someplace else."

Apparently, the executive board was impressed because they extended his engagement an additional 14 years. Although his actual change consulting career was short lived, Berra did highlight one of the most critical aspects of successful change – knowing where you’re going. In organizational change, where you’re going is usually summed up in business terms: lower cost, higher quality, greater customer satisfaction, etc. These objectives, however, are the results of specific, repeated behaviors. How change truly occurs is by getting people in the org

4 Steps to Learn New Skills in Less Time

2012-01-11T08:55:22-06:00

Business changes require that we effectively learn new processes and skills in less time. With the influx of a new workforce and the imminent exit of our most experienced workers, we need to document expertise so that it can become institutional knowledge. In this article, we explore a four-step kick-start that can help you capture the critical elements needed for a course in minimal time. After completing the four steps, a learning organization can prioritize development without losing vital intellectual capital.

The Life Cycle Institute believes that learning is a process of alignment, assimilation and application — alignment on learning goals and documenting expectations, participation in a learning event designed and delivered for how adults learn, and application of learning on the job. The four-step process described in this article is used to help ensure that the assimilate phase results in learning transfer and leads the learner to apply new understanding and to

Kimberly-Clark Receives American Business Ethics Award

2011-11-15T11:53:02-06:00

The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals recently announced Kimberly-Clark Corporation as the large company recipient of the 2011 American Business Ethics Award (ABEA). Kimberly-Clark was recognized at a special award ceremony at its headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

“We are heartened by the many examples of strong business ethics we have had the privilege of seeing through the ABEA program,” said foundation chairman R. Clifford Berg Jr. “We hope that in honoring companies such as Kimberly-Clark that adhere to the highest ethical standards in their dealings with employees, customers and stakeholders, the ABEA provides a beacon that guides others to choose the high road in all their business practices.”

Kimberly-Clark provides essentials to enhance the health, hygiene and well-being of 1.3 billion consumers around the world every day. These products include brands such as Kleenex, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Scott and Depend. Chairman and CEO Thomas

Why Execution is Key for Business Strategies

2011-11-14T10:54:15-06:00

Business strategies developed by companies are often useless. A business strategy is basically a plan for what the company should focus on in the future. It is a promise and guideline to steer a company in the right direction. It’s not too different from your personal New Year’s resolution.

Most people’s New Year’s resolutions include things such as losing weight, exercising more, drinking less and improving their marriage in some form. The universal formula for change in any personal-improvement book or business book is to:

Understand what to do
Understand how to do it
Execute

Let us compare a business strategy with our beloved New Year’s resolution. We know what the problem is, right? We are fat, unhappy, stressed, whatever. We usually know how to improve (drink less, exercise, spend time with the wife), but we fail to execute.

The hard truth is that we try a little. We s

Strategies for Overcoming Resistance to Change

2011-10-18T16:25:16-05:00

Will Rogers was one of the most revered public figures in the early 1900s, and much of his popularity was due to his tremendous understanding of and connection with people. As a keen student of human nature, Rogers unsurprisingly identified a fundamental key to successful change in his statement: “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble; it’s what we know that ain’t so.”

How many changes have been hampered by individuals who rigidly hold onto the current state because of something they “know” that ain’t so? For example, when U.S. auto manufacturers first observed lean production, they refused to believe their own eyes. “You can’t build cars that way — not enough inventory.” They struggled to understand a world that didn’t fit into their view of reality even when faced with clear evidence.

Our collection of deep-seated beliefs and assumptions create our view of the world. Often t

3 Keys to Create and Sustain Major Change

2011-10-06T08:53:19-05:00

“…there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful of success, than an attempt to introduce a new order of things…” – Niccolo Machiavelli, “The Prince”

Considered by many as the father of modern political science, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote “The Prince” as practical, if not morally ambiguous, advice on what is necessary for a new prince to establish stable rule — in other words, how to create and sustain major change. The following excerpt from his book demonstrates Machiavelli’s awareness of the difficulty of change and the resistance it can provoke.

“Hence it is that, whenever the opponents of the new order of things have the opportunity to attack it, they will do it with the zeal of partisans, whilst the others defend it but feebly, so that it is dangerous to rely upon the latter.” — Niccolo Machiavelli

This statement says that those who opp

The Value of Risk-based Asset Management

2011-09-28T09:41:52-05:00

With the forming of ISO Technical Committee 251, it’s clear that asset management will soon have a standard. Now is the time to educate ourselves about the value that optimized asset management creates. Based on the release of ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems – Requirements, there is a valid expectation of hype, confusion and a large outpouring of funds as companies work to achieve compliance. Luckily, like quality management, asset management is about identifying, mitigating and eliminating risk.

Formalizing, documenting and validating our asset management plan seem like a significant undertaking. Since the planning committee is using BSI PAS 55 as a starting place, it is likely that the core of the specification will remain valid. Part 2 of this specification provides the guidelines for application and also includes seven items that can be reviewed by an organization to see how they compare to the key 28 elements of part 1. Using LCE’s Reliability Excellence

Finding the Hidden Teachers in Your Organization

2011-09-21T08:22:01-05:00

The only true competitive advantage a company has is its employees’ ability to learn, grow and change so they can discover, improve, innovate and meet the challenges of a dynamic marketplace. Today’s agile companies know that learning and continuous improvement is a priority. Training Magazine’s 2009 industry report published that the average organization spent approximately $484,000 on training-based investments per year.

Formal instruction, online or in the classroom, is critical to developing talent in your organization. However, formal training is a piece of the learning process. Learning professionals largely agree that 80 percent of learning happens outside of a formal classroom. Some learning leaders think that the amount of informal learning (unstructured learning that happens outside the traditional learning events) drives the percentage even higher.

With so much learning happening every day between leaders, managers, employees a

Identifying Risks Through Asset Management

2011-08-31T09:23:15-05:00

Findings from recent catastrophic events, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, have revealed that information relating to asset health was readily available but not properly managed. Analysis of the Gulf of Mexico event indicated that there were conditions in critical assets that could have impaired performance prior to and after the accident. A routine testing and maintenance program should have detected these conditions. This is an easy statement to make after a catastrophic event occurs. What is much more difficult is to navigate the overwhelming number of specifications and standards available to corporations on management systems and develop an asset management model that provides the transparency to asset health.

The first step is developing a management system standard that adequately addresses six key elements:

Policy
Planning
Implementation and operation
Performance assessment
Improveme

5 Key Elements of a Well-planned Work Order

2011-08-24T10:26:02-05:00

There are basically five areas that if addressed properly will result in a well-planned work order:

1) The Right People — This focuses on the correct skills required for the scope of work as well as how many and how long (labor estimates) it will take to complete.

2) The Right Place — You should have an accurate identification of the process, equipment and location to reduce travel, investigation and setup times.

3) The Right Time – This should include windows of opportunity to gain access, along with operations’ expectation of starting or completing the work. This will assist the scheduling process.

4) The Right Parts, Tools and Equipment – All repair parts should be identified, ordered and on-hand before scheduling. Arrangements are made for additional specialty tools and equipment.

5) The Specifications, Permits, Hazards, Work Inst

3 Effective Ways to Manage for Change

2011-08-09T10:36:33-05:00

On May 11, 1996, 34 people attempted to summit Mount Everest. In what came to be the deadliest single day on Mount Everest, eight people lost their lives. Numerous factors led to the tragedy – most notably a late-day storm that trapped many on the peak. One of the climbers, a journalist by the name of Jon Krakauer, captured his experience that day in his book “Into Thin Air” and in it identified another more subtle, but just as significant factor in the tragedy. Krakauer was one of the first climbers to reach the summit on that day, and during the descent he became increasingly concerned about the other climbers’ singular focus on reaching the summit. The basis for his concern was his knowledge that reaching the summit was only half the challenge. The descent from the peak is as difficult and exhausting as the ascent. By focusing so much effort on reaching the summit, the climbers risked not reserving both time and energy to make the demanding descent. When the storm h

How Do You Create a High-Performance Team?

2011-07-28T16:22:45-05:00

An effective work team is a group of engaged individuals. In “The Toyota Way,” Jeffrey Liker tells us, “The center of TPS (Toyota Production System) is people. A common phrase heard around Toyota is 'Before we build cars, we build people.'”

You can have the best tools, most productive processes and the biggest bank account, but none of this will produce results unless you have people. The research has been done, and the results are clear. People engaged in a common goal will trump advantages in resources, processes and capital. Just read the business best-sellers or search “employee engagement” if you need to see the business case for developing engaged employees. If you are reading this article, I assume you’re already convinced.

A work group consists of individual people. To achieve high-performing teams, you must treat them as individual people. Individuals are engaged when they feel like their effort and opinions are

Industrial Facilities and Processes: Are You Winning on Both Fronts?

2011-06-22T10:35:56-05:00

Problem: At peak production, a plant is turning out enough product to fill a 120,000-square-foot warehouse, but the existing 80,000-square-foot warehouse was built to meet the inventory requirement of the average production volume.

Facilities Solution: Invest millions of dollars to expand the warehouse to 120,000 square feet.

But what if there was a solution that required zero capital investment and optimized both the facility and the processes associated with it? In this case there is: a revised production and inventory changeover strategy that makes more effective use of working capital and existing space.

“Aha!”

Data-driven Team Decisions

Effective solutions such as this are more likely to be identified when all stakeholders collaborate in strategic master planning based on analysis of historic production and demand data.

As i

U.S. Manufacturing Expanding Faster Than Forecast

2011-05-03T08:36:03-05:00

Philadelphia area manufacturing activity continues to expand

2011-01-21T08:41:36-06:00

Results from January's Business Outlook Survey suggest that the Philadelphia regional manufacturing activity continues to expand. The diffusion index of current activity edged down slightly to 19.3 in January from a revised reading of 20.8 in December. In the special questions, firms were asked about the factors that are influencing their hiring plans.

Caterpillar urges stronger trade relationship between U.S. and China

2011-01-21T08:37:28-06:00

Citing the global importance of continued growth in trade between the United States and China, Caterpillar Inc. on January 21 called for stronger efforts to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries. China is one of the largest export markets for Caterpillar products made in the United States, with exports to China of more than $2 billion in the last five years.

Average weekly earnings of U.S. workers was $752 in fourth quarter

2011-01-20T16:28:58-06:00

Median weekly earnings of the nation's 100.1 million full-time wage and salary workers were $752 in the fourth quarter of 2010 (not seasonally adjusted), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on January 20. This was 0.5 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a gain of 1.3 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the same period.

Chart: Real earnings fall 0.4 percent in December

2011-01-20T15:49:46-06:00

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.4 percent from November to December 2010, seasonally adjusted. This decrease stems from a 0.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which offset a 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings.

Former ThedaCare CEO on learning from manufacturing leaders

2011-01-20T08:57:28-06:00

Dr. John Toussaint, former CEO of ThedaCare, talks about how he learned from and was mentored by leaders from industry.

Johnson Controls reports record sales and earnings for Q1 2011

2011-01-20T08:38:16-06:00

For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Johnson Controls reported record sales and earnings with double-digit improvements by all three businesses. The company also increased its estimate for full fiscal year 2011 earnings.

U.S. companies say offshoring has not cost domestic jobs

2011-01-20T08:33:18-06:00

The sixth annual study on corporations’ offshoring trends was released by the Center for International Business Education and Research’s (CIBER) Offshoring Research Network (ORN) at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and The Conference Board. The study is part of ongoing research into the effects of offshoring trends on American competitiveness and reflects the sentiments of business managers as regional economies around the world continue to recover from the global recession and economic upheaval in Europe and Asia.

General Motors appoints Barra to lead global product development

2011-01-20T08:31:10-06:00

General Motors on January 20 named Mary Barra senior vice president for global product development, to lead the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles for the company’s 11 brands around the world.

Initial U.S. unemployment claims declined by 37,000 last week

2011-01-20T08:25:05-06:00

In the week ending January 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 404,000, a decrease of 37,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 441,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported on January 20. The four-week moving average was 411,750, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 415,750.

GE's China avionics deal: A Q&A with president/CEO Lorraine Bolsinger

2011-01-19T13:42:42-06:00

With the news that GE is close to wrapping up its deal to create a new civilian avionics joint venture with China’s AVIC, we asked Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO for GE’s Aviation Systems, to explain key portions of the deal and what steps are being taken to prevent unauthorized technology transfer.

GE's China deals to top $2 billion in revenue, $1 billion in exports

2011-01-19T13:40:46-06:00

China is a key market for GE as it works to increase its non-U.S. sales from 54 percent in 2009 to a target of 60 percent. The agreements in aviation, energy and rail being finalized this week during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington are part of that focus — underscoring how global growth translates into revenue and jobs.

GM names Stephens as its new global chief technology officer

2011-01-19T13:37:26-06:00

In a move to bring greater focus and urgency to developing leading edge technology for all General Motors vehicles, the company on January 19 named Thomas G. Stephens its new global chief technology officer (CTO).

Mosaic and Cargill agree to split off

2011-01-19T13:34:38-06:00

The Mosaic Company, one of the world's leading providers of crop nutrients and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry, and Cargill, a privately held international producer and marketer of food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services, on January 19 jointly announced a transaction that would result in the distribution of Cargill's 64 percent stake, or 286 million share position, in Mosaic to Cargill's shareholders and debt holders.

Trico Lift closes on Modern Group asset deal

2011-01-19T13:14:26-06:00

Trico Lift, a privately owned full-service aerial lift company based in New Jersey, on January 19 announced the final closing of a unique asset purchase agreement with the Modern Group Ltd., one of the nation’s largest industrial equipment distribution firms.

Best practices for strategic talent management in manufacturing organizations

2011-01-19T09:57:47-06:00

Increasingly CEOs, boards and other executives are asking human resources leaders to help achieve corporate goals by addressing a number of talent management challenges. Within the manufacturing sector, many organizations have implemented programs such as the ISO 9001 quality management system in an effort to drive profitability and competitiveness. ISO standards require organizations to be able to identify skill sets and competencies for each job in order to maintain certification.

U.S. companies in China thriving despite challenging business climate

2011-01-19T07:54:04-06:00

Despite challenging market conditions and an increasingly competitive business environment, U.S. companies in China closed out 2010 with all-time performance highs and remain optimistic about their business prospects moving forward, according to the 2010-2011 China Business Report released January 19 by The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai).

Boehringer Ingelheim to purchase Amgen facility in Fremont, Calif.

2011-01-19T07:34:39-06:00

Amgen Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim on January 19 announced they have signed an agreement under which Boehringer Ingelheim will acquire Amgen's rights in and substantially all assets at Amgen's Fremont, Calif., development and manufacturing facility.

Johnson Controls breaks ground on fully integrated battery recycling facility

2011-01-18T14:14:07-06:00

Johnson Controls on January 18 broke ground on a fully integrated battery recycling facility in Florence, S.C. The Florence Recycling Center, slated for completion during 2012 and to be operated by Johnson Controls' Power Solutions business, represents a capital investment of more than $150 million and will create an estimated 250 new jobs and approximately 1,000 indirect jobs in the area. The facility is the first facility of its kind to receive an air permit in the United States in nearly 20 years.

Alcoa, CPI agree to develop aluminum, energy projects

2011-01-18T14:07:20-06:00

Alcoa and the China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) will collaborate on a broad range of aluminum and energy projects representing more than $7.5 billion of potential investment over the coming years, under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the companies on January 18.

Chart: Producer prices by month since December 2001

2011-01-18T13:51:41-06:00

On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods advanced 4.0 percent in 2010 after climbing 4.3 percent in 2009.

NAM: Excessive government regulations have harmed economic growth

2011-01-18T10:40:42-06:00

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) senior vice president for government relations and policy Aric Newhouse issued the following statement on January 18 regarding President Obama’s executive order to review federal regulations harming economic growth:

Danaher agrees to sell Pacific Scientific Aerospace business for $685 million

2011-01-18T10:10:44-06:00

Danaher Corporation announced January 18 that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Pacific Scientific Aerospace business (other than the Artus business) to Meggitt PLC, a global aerospace and defense company. Danaher simultaneously received a binding offer from Meggitt to acquire the Artus business which remains open for 12 months. As required by French law, Danaher must consult with the Artus works council prior to concluding an agreement for the sale of the Artus business.

An explanation of the Theory of Constraints

2011-01-18T09:11:15-06:00

What is the Theory of Constraints and how does it relate to Lean Six Sigma? Watch this video and find out.

Rockwell Automation to acquire process control and automation systems integrator

2011-01-18T08:49:01-06:00

Rockwell Automation Inc. on January 18 announced it has agreed to purchase Hiprom, a leading process control and automation systems integrator headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

GE signs strategic agreement to support U.S. exports and jobs

2011-01-18T08:43:17-06:00

GE and China Huadian Corporation on January 18 signed a five-year, joint collaboration agreement for distributed energy combined heat and power (DECHP) projects in China that is expected to boost U.S. exports and support thousands of U.S. jobs. The agreement was announced on the eve of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit to the United States.

Strong performance in 2010 readies Airbus for another busy year

2011-01-18T08:38:38-06:00

Airbus is heading into an active 2011 as the company targets key milestones that include the startup of final assembly for its new-generation A350 XWB jetliner, the initiation of A400M military airlifter series production, the beginning of deliveries for A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports, and a possible decision on further ramp-ups in the A320 Family’s production rate.

Chevrolet sold one vehicle every 7.4 seconds in 2010

2011-01-18T08:35:04-06:00

Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally in 2010, an average of one every 7.4 seconds. As a result, Chevrolet’s share of global vehicle industry sales grew by 0.35 points as the brand accounted for about 5.8 percent of all vehicles sold worldwide in 2010. Of the top five global vehicle brands, only Chevrolet grew its total market share last year.

Do you know how much it costs to run that equipment?

2011-01-17T16:17:34-06:00

Decisions have to be made – to save energy, to save dollars. Having hard data on which to base those decisions removes the “guess factor” and ultimately has a positive effect on the bottom line. Can recording data, analyzing results and then making intelligent decisions really have that large of a dollar effect, though? The answer is “Absolutely yes!”

AbitibiBowater names new executive team

2011-01-17T09:16:56-06:00

AbitibiBowater on January 17 announced the selection of a new executive team, reporting directly to Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. This leadership transition includes a number of senior management changes, supporting the company's execution of its business strategy.

Activate, don't procrastinate on assignments

2011-01-17T09:04:18-06:00

Most people will agree that avoiding procrastination is simply impossible. However, can you just imagine what would it be like if you would acknowledge procrastination and work it into your day to the best of your abilities? How can you procrastinate well? By listing your tasks on paper, you will feel more committed. Even if you don't get to your tasks until two days later, you will still be ahead of the crowd. The biggest advantage is that you will not only feel better but you will feel more in control of your life. You will feel your energy going up and your stress levels going down. Now, don't procrastinate on watching this video!

Karin Lindner is the founder and owner of KARICO Performance Solutions located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. As an employee engagement and motivation specialist focusing on the manufacturing sector, her mission is to develop employee excellence in every level of the organization, one company at a time.

World productivity returns to solid growth, but future trend remains unclear

2011-01-17T09:00:18-06:00

The world economy returned to solid productivity growth in 2010, as GDP in most countries recovered strongly from the 2008-2009 financial and economic crisis, while employment lagged behind, The Conference Board reported on January 17.

Fed report: U.S. industrial production increased 0.8 percent in December

2011-01-14T14:04:46-06:00

Industrial production in the United States increased 0.8 percent in December after having risen 0.3 percent in November, the Federal Reserve announced on January 14. The rate of change for industrial production was revised down in November but revised up in September and October; the net effect of the revisions from July to November left the level of industrial production in November slightly higher than was previously reported. For the fourth quarter as a whole, industrial production increased at an annual rate of 2.4 percent, a slower pace than in the earlier quarters of the year. In the manufacturing sector, output moved up 0.4 percent in December with gains in both durables and nondurables. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, factory output increased 0.5 percent. The output of mines advanced 0.4 percent; the output of utilities surged 4.3 percent, as unusually cold weather boosted the demand for heating. At 94.9 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in December was 5.9 percent above its level of a year earlier. The capacity utilization rate for total industry rose to 76.0 percent, a rate 4.6 percentage points below its average from 1972 to 2009.

Toyota president outlines goals, mission for 2011 and beyond

2011-01-14T08:40:21-06:00

The following "2011 New Year" message was delivered January 14 by Toyota president Akio Toyoda.

Average hourly earnings for U.S. workers fell 0.4% in December

2011-01-14T08:28:22-06:00

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.4 percent from November to December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on January 14. A 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation appoints new president/CEO

2011-01-13T13:37:14-06:00

The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation announced on January 13 that Terry Horan will succeed Manfred Seitz as president and chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2011.

Oregon lost fewer manufacturing jobs over past 12 months

2011-01-13T13:33:49-06:00

Industrial employment in Oregon fell 3.2 percent over the past 12 months according to the 2011 Oregon Manufacturers Directory, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers' News Inc. MNI reports Oregon lost 7,530 industrial jobs and 114 manufacturers between October 2009 and October 2010, less than half the loss reported by MNI over the 2008-2009 survey period.

Fed Beige Book: Manufacturing continued to recover across all districts at close of 2010

2011-01-13T08:15:47-06:00

Reports from the 12 Federal Reserve districts suggest that economic activity continued to expand moderately from November through December. Conditions were said to be improving in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Richmond districts. Activity increased modestly to moderately in the Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and Dallas districts. The economy of the Minneapolis District "continued its moderate recovery," while that of the San Francisco District "firmed further" in the reporting period leading up to the close of 2010. Conditions were generally said to be better in districts' manufacturing, retail and nonfinancial services sectors than in financial services or real estate.

Honda revises green purchasing guidelines

2011-01-13T08:04:59-06:00

Striving to better track and reduce greenhouse gases and other aspects of its environmental footprint over the entire life cycle of Honda products including the business activities of its suppliers, Honda Motor Company Ltd. has revised the Honda Green Purchasing Guidelines formulated in 2001 to guide Honda’s environmental conservation activities in the area of purchasing.

Initial U.S. jobless claims increased by 35,000 last week

2011-01-13T07:59:01-06:00

In the week ending January 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 445,000, an increase of 35,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 410,000, the U.S. Department of Labor announced on January 13. The four-week moving average was 416,500, an increase of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 411,000.

The role of the UAW in the 21st century

2011-01-13T07:55:26-06:00

The following is the speech given by United Auto Workers president Bob King to the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit on January 12, 2011.

Cargill buys German chocolate business

2011-01-12T13:10:03-06:00

Cargill is expanding its cocoa and chocolate business in Europe through the acquisition of the business of Schwartauer Werke GmbH & Company KG Kakao Verarbeitung Berlin (KVB), an integrated chocolate company based in Germany.

Chart: Job openings by month since November 2008

2011-01-12T12:52:48-06:00

There were 3.2 million job openings on the last day of November. The job openings rate was essentially unchanged over the month at 2.4 percent.

Steelcase to consolidate additional North American manufacturing facilities

2011-01-12T08:19:32-06:00

Steelcase Inc. on January 12 announced the planned closure of three manufacturing facilities in North America as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the fitness of its business and strengthen the company's long-term competitiveness. The company expects to move production within these facilities to other Steelcase locations in North America over the next 18 months.

Samuels Jr. to retire as Maker’s Mark president, assume chairman emeritus role

2011-01-12T08:15:21-06:00

In April 2011, Bill Samuels Jr. will retire as president of Maker’s Mark, the world's oldest operating bourbon distillery and a National Historic Landmark, and transition into the new role of chairman emeritus for the iconic global brand. His son, Rob Samuels, who was appointed chief operating officer in October 2010, will lead the Maker’s Mark organization going forward. The announcement was made January 12 by Matthew J. Shattock, president and chief executive officer of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.

Butschek selected as new head of operations at Airbus

2011-01-12T08:10:16-06:00

Günter Butschek has been appointed as executive vice president (EVP) of operations at Airbus and will take up this position on March 1. He will become a member of the Airbus executive committee and replaces Gerald Weber, who will leave Airbus after successfully completing his missions. Butschek will also become chairman of the board of management of Airbus in Germany (Airbus Operations GmbH).

CEO confidence improved in 4th quarter

2011-01-11T13:52:33-06:00

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, which had declined in the third quarter, bounced back in the final quarter of 2010, it was announced on January 11. The measure now reads 62, up from 50 in the previous quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses).

U.S. job openings rate pretty much unchanged in latest report

2011-01-11T13:43:26-06:00

There were 3.2 million job openings on the last business day of November, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on January 11. The job openings rate was essentially unchanged over the month at 2.4 percent. Both the hires rate and the separations rate were little changed at 3.2 percent each in November. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires and separations for the total non-farm sector by industry and by geographic region.

One snowstorm. Three leaders. One lesson in lean management.

2011-01-11T10:45:01-06:00

Lean bloggers and teachers often talk about the need to get out of the corner office and the conference room and get to the gemba as part of their standard work. That need is even greater in an emergency.

Michael Jordan ... change agent

2011-01-11T10:40:51-06:00

Michael Jordan is well known for his professional sports careers in both basketball and baseball, his success as a business man and his contribution to numerous charitable organizations. What often gets overlooked is his short but impactful work in the field of organizational change management. While still a rookie NBA player, he worked with coach Phil Jackson to transform the Chicago Bulls into a national championship team. At their first change management offsite meeting, Michael reminded the team that organizational change is based upon individual change – or as he so eloquently stated: “There is no ‘I’ in Team, but there is in Win!”

Newell Rubbermaid president and chief executive officer to retire

2011-01-11T07:55:01-06:00

Newell Rubbermaid on January 11 announced that its president and CEO, Mark D. Ketchum, will retire later this year. An executive recruiting firm has been retained to conduct an outside search for Ketchum’s replacement and also assist with the assessment of internal candidates. To help ensure a smooth and orderly transition to a new leader, Ketchum plans to remain on the company’s board of directors through the spring of 2012.

Report: Nissan sold more than 1 million vehicles in China in 2010

2011-01-11T07:48:08-06:00

Nissan (China) Investment Company Ltd. (NCIC) on January 10 announced its sales performance including Infiniti for the whole year of 2010: altogether 1,023,638 units sold in the China market, a 35.5 percent sales growth compared to a year before. Infiniti division sales doubled with 11,513 units sold. In the year of 2010 Nissan's sales in China became the largest over those in United States and Japan.

Boeing director William M. Daley resigns from board seat

2011-01-11T07:45:58-06:00

The Boeing board of directors on January 10 accepted the resignation of director William M. Daley who, on January 7, submitted his request to resign following his appointment as U.S. President Barack Obama's chief of staff.

EEOC reports job bias charges hit record high in fiscal year 2010

2011-01-11T07:38:46-06:00

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on January 11 announced that private sector workplace discrimination charge filings with the federal agency nationwide hit an unprecedented level of 99,922 during fiscal year (FY) 2010, which ended September 30, 2010.

Poll of senior execs finds Latin America most optimistic region in 2011

2011-01-10T16:10:35-06:00

Confidence levels are higher in Latin America than in any other part of the world, with the region leading the way in business optimism into the new year, according to a global survey of 5,700 senior executives by Grant Thornton International Ltd.

Ford to add 7,000 U.S. workers during next two years

2011-01-10T14:43:21-06:00

Ford Motor Company on January 10 announced it will add 7,000 new hourly and salaried jobs between this year and next in the United States.

Conference Board Employment Trends Index up 7.6% vs. one year ago

2011-01-10T14:40:51-06:00

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in December for the third consecutive month, closing the last quarter of 2010 on a positive note. The index now stands at 99.3, up from November's revised figure of 98.5. The index is up 7.6 percent from a year ago.

Linde hydrogen plant in Ohio receives Responsible Care certification

2011-01-10T14:39:06-06:00

Linde North America has received certification under the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care program at its Lima, Ohio, plant where the company operates two hydrogen units.

Dow outlines solutions for reviving U.S. manufacturing sector

2011-01-10T14:35:57-06:00

The Dow Chemical Company on January 10 announced the official book launch of “Make It in America: The Case for Re-Inventing the Economy.” Told through the voice of Dow chairman and chief executive officer Andrew N. Liveris, the book combines the best thinking on how to drive economic growth from Dow employees working in areas such as government affairs and public policy to legal, finance and R&D, with Liveris’ own perspectives and experience of running one of the world’s largest global companies. The result is a set of practical policy solutions and business strategies on how to reinvent and grow America’s manufacturing sector for the 21st century.

Manufacturing technology consumption up 82.7% year-to-date

2011-01-10T14:32:18-06:00

November U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $318.18 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, in a report released on January 10. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 17.7 percent from October but up 81.1% when compared with the total of $175.68 million reported for November 2009. With a year-to-date total of $2,792.58 million, 2010 is up 82.7% compared with 2009.

Del Monte Foods lauded for commitment to employee health and wellness

2011-01-10T14:26:24-06:00

In recognition of its commitment to employee health and wellness, Del Monte Foods has attained the prestigious Platinum Fit-Friendly status in the American Heart Association's Start! Fit-Friendly Companies program for the second consecutive year. The program recognizes companies that champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity in the workplace.

Chart: U.S. payroll employment in 2010

2011-01-10T14:19:49-06:00

Since December 2009, total payroll employment has increased by 1.1 million, or an average of 94,000 per month, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

‘Pruning’ your inventory: Setting MRO stocking levels

2011-01-10T13:36:44-06:00

Is three widgets enough? Is six gizmos too many? Author Doug Wallace often get asked: “How do we determine the right stocking levels for our parts?” People want to know what the “magic formula” is. Unfortunately, the answer often is: “it depends.” Throughout this article, Doug will address some of the considerations involved in making these difficult decisions and then suggest one method for helping to determine the appropriate stocking levels for your own materials.

Tools enable energy savings throughout Owens Corning

2011-01-10T13:07:04-06:00

Sustainability projects across Owens Corning’s operations have yielded valuable findings related to energy efficiency project planning and implementation, and have allowed the company to achieve substantial energy and cost savings.

Duke Energy and Progress Energy to merge

2011-01-10T08:49:37-06:00

Duke Energy and Progress Energy Inc. announced January 10 that both companies' boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement to combine the two companies in a stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company, to be called Duke Energy, will be the country's largest utility.

Tom Peters offers 3 H's for effective leadership

2011-01-10T08:39:14-06:00

Tom Peters says: "If you understand the 3 H's, you you don't need to understand anything else about business success."

DuPont to acquire specialty food ingredients company for $6.3 billion

2011-01-10T08:11:37-06:00

DuPont has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Danisco, a global enzyme and specialty food ingredients company, for $5.8 billion in cash and assumption of $500 million of Danisco net debt. Upon closing, this transaction would establish DuPont as a clear leader in industrial biotechnology with science-intensive innovations that address global challenges in food production and reduced fossil fuel consumption.

Unemployment rate falls to 9.4%; payroll employment increases by 103,000

2011-01-07T08:18:54-06:00

The unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 9.4 percent in December, and non-farm payroll employment increased by 103,000, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on January 7. Employment rose in leisure and hospitality and in health care but was little changed in other major industries.

Employee confidence in job security and company outlook increased in Q4

2011-01-07T07:16:29-06:00

Despite recent economic reports that show jobless claims down for several consecutive weeks, employees reveal mixed feelings about what is in store at their employer, for the overall job market and their pay check in the year ahead. According to the Q4 Glassdoor.com Employment Confidence Survey of 2,118 U.S. adults aged 18+ conducted on its behalf by Harris Interactive, employees are more confident in their job security and company's outlook in the next six months than they were in the third quarter. However, this optimism is not universal as employees remain pessimistic about pay raises and have grown more uncertain about the job market since last quarter.

10 employment trends to watch in 2011

2011-01-07T07:02:45-06:00

With 2011 shaping up to be a better year for job growth, CareerBuilder surveyed more than 2,400 employers and 3,900 workers nationwide to identify 10 key trends in business, hiring, work culture and job search. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive from November 15 to December 2, 2010 across industries and company sizes.

Boeing hits 2010 airplane delivery target, achieves strong order bookings

2011-01-07T06:59:20-06:00

Boeing recorded 462 commercial airplane deliveries in 2010, meeting company guidance of approximately 460 deliveries during the year. Boeing posted 530 net commercial orders for the year as air carriers transition from economic recovery to expansion. Boeing Commercial Airplanes maintains a strong order base of 3,443 unfilled orders.

GE acquires remote monitoring and diagnostics firm SmartSignal

2011-01-06T13:44:45-06:00

GE Intelligent Platforms on January 6 announced that it has completed the acquisition of SmartSignal, a privately held, analytics software company based in Lisle, Ill. SmartSignal specializes in providing remote monitoring and diagnostics solutions to the Power Generation, Oil & Gas and other industrial sectors. SmartSignal is a leading provider of predictive diagnostic software and monitoring services used to anticipate, prevent, and avoid equipment failure. The company has more than 40 product and technology patents, and has won more than 25 awards for product excellence.

U.S. consumer confidence hovers near post-recession peak

2011-01-06T09:14:06-06:00

Raising hopes for higher consumer spending over the course of 2011, nearly three-quarters of Americans (74 percent) plan to spend at least some of the extra money they will receive through the one-year Social Security payroll-tax reduction that became effective January 1, 2011, including 42 percent who expect to spend all or most of it, according to the monthly RBC Consumer Outlook Index. Only one-in-four Americans (26 percent) said they plan to save all of their extra take-home pay from the tax cut.

Boeing delivered 116 commercial aircraft in Q4, 462 for 2010

2011-01-06T08:36:19-06:00

The Boeing Company announced January 6 its deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Initial U.S. jobless claims increased by 18,000 last week

2011-01-06T08:28:19-06:00

In the week ending January 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 409,000, an increase of 18,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 391,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported on January 5. The four-week moving average was 410,750, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 414,250.

How to create and lead high-performing teams

2011-01-05T14:39:25-06:00

Working in teams is often considered contrary to the American culture. However, building and leading an organizational culture around a successful team concept is considered a critical leadership competency. The challenges are that in any team environment people must work closely together to achieve results. Read this article for advice on how to achieve this.

Morningstar names Ford's Mulally as 2010 CEO of the Year

2011-01-05T13:54:15-06:00

Morningstar Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research, on January 5 named Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford, as its 2010 CEO of the Year. Morningstar's annual award recognizes a chief executive who exhibits exemplary corporate stewardship, demonstrates independent thinking, creates lasting value for shareholders, and has put his or her stamp on an industry.

U.S. non-manufacturing sector grew in December; NMI improves to 57.1

2011-01-05T13:49:16-06:00

Economic activity in the United States non-manufacturing sector grew in December for the 12th consecutive month, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the Institute for Supply Management's latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The report was issued January 5 by Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Top 11 priorities for profitable growth in 2011

2011-01-05T13:20:05-06:00

Companies will need to focus on globalization, innovation, strategic market planning, sustainability and uncertainty in the coming year, according to Tompkins Associates' Top 11 Priorities for Profitable Growth in 2011.

Online labor demand essentially unchanged in December

2011-01-05T09:26:15-06:00

Online advertised vacancies were basically unchanged as they dipped 9,400 in December to 4,447,800, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine (HWOL) Data Series released on January 5. The nation's Supply/Demand rate stood at 3.39 unemployed for every advertised vacancy in November (the last available unemployment data) — a figure that is down from a peak of 4.73 in October 2009. Nationally, there are 10.7 million more unemployed than advertised vacancies.

Tom Peters' views on innovation and benchmarking

2011-01-05T09:21:28-06:00

Tom Peters first captured the attention of global business leaders with his 1982 book, "In Search of Excellence." By examining the characteristics shared by successful companies, he created a guide for managers keen to drive their organizations to greater heights.

A series of subsequent books served to hone Peters' thinking and provided the launching pad for his successful consulting company. He now spends much of his time traveling the world, advising senior managers on the steps they need to take to ensure their company's long-term survival.

According to Peters, future economic success will spring from entrepreneurial individuals and small firms agile enough to seize new opportunities. Freed from the constraints of top-heavy management structures, they will generate the ideas and innovations needed to survive in an ultra-competitive world.

How to calculate return on investment

2011-01-05T09:19:09-06:00

Advanced Industrial Equipment will show you how to calculate return on investment (ROI) in just two minutes. You will be able to calculate the total and percentage return on investment for any project.

American Honda vehicle sales rose 25.5% in December, 7.6% for 2010

2011-01-05T08:40:51-06:00

American Honda Motor Company Inc. on January 4 reported December monthly new vehicle sales of 129,616, an increase of 25.5 percent on a daily selling-rate* basis. American Honda's 2010 annual vehicle sales totaled 1,230,480, an increase of 7.6 percent compared to 2009 results.

Nissan North America sales climbed 27.7% in December, 18% for 2010

2011-01-04T13:45:09-06:00

Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) on January 4 reported record December U.S. sales of 93,730 units versus 73,404 units a year earlier, an increase of 27.7 percent. Nissan Division sales were up 26.3 percent for the month, also a December best. Sales of Infiniti vehicles rose 37.3 percent over the prior year.

Common sense may be the key to entrepreneurial success

2011-01-04T13:28:50-06:00

A study co-authored by American University professor underscores the value of common-sense, hands-on experience and goals.

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Toyota reports flat sales for 2010; December figures down 2%

2011-01-04T13:24:25-06:00

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA Inc. on January 4 reported December sales results of 177,488 units, a decrease of 2.0 percent from the same period last year, on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 27 selling days in December 2010, compared to 28 selling days in December 2009, TMS sales were down 5.5 percent for the month, compared to the same period last year.

Ford posts 19% increase in sales for 2010; December numbers up 17%

2011-01-04T13:20:55-06:00

Ford’s full-year sales totaled 1.935 million, up 19 percent vs. a year ago, marking the largest increase of any full-line manufacturer.

Chrysler's 2010 U.S. sales improved 16% vs. 2009

2011-01-04T13:17:19-06:00

Chrysler Group LLC on January 4 reported U.S. sales of 100,702, a 16 percent increase compared with sales in December 2009 (86,523 units). Chrysler Group sales of 1,085,211 units in 2010 increased 17 percent compared with 2009 sales.

General Motors vehicle sales increased 21% in 2010; December sales jumped 16%

2011-01-04T13:13:05-06:00

General Motors dealers reported 223,932 total sales in December, a 16-percent increase from a year ago for the company’s four brands, it was announced on January 4. The gain was driven by solid retail sales which were 27 percent higher than a strong December a year ago. For the calendar year, total sales for GM’s four brands increased 21 percent to 2,202,927, while retail sales rose 16 percent for the year. GM’s four brands sold 118,435 more vehicles this year than the company did with eight brands in 2009, and will gain total and retail market share for the year.

Motorola Mobility launches as independent company

2011-01-04T13:10:25-06:00

Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. on January 4 announced that it has completed its previously announced spin-off from Motorola Inc. and its shares will begin trading this morning on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “MMI”.

Top 10 project management trends for 2011: Leadership skills tops the list

2011-01-04T13:01:54-06:00

On January 4, ESI International, the world’s leading project management learning company, revealed its Top 10 Global Project Management Trends for 2011. Key themes include building the project manager’s (PM) influence, accelerating new leadership and communication skills, and increased use of informal learning approaches such as social media and experiential training. A global panel of consultants and senior executives assembled by ESI identified the trends.

U.S. factory orders improved 0.7% in latest report

2011-01-04T11:07:53-06:00

New orders for manufactured goods in November, up four of the last five months, increased $3.2 billion, or 0.7 percent, to $423.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported on January 4. This followed a 0.7 percent October decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.4 percent.

Survey to examine trends in enterprise asset management

2011-01-04T09:28:37-06:00

The impact of the information explosion combined with mobility is profoundly larger than previously thought. Your help is needed to assess the changes. This ARC Advisory Group survey for enterprise asset management (EAM) trends examines current and future expectations for maintenance practices, EAM functions, mobility and inventory optimization.

ARC examines MRO inventory rationalization and optimization

2011-01-04T09:24:36-06:00

Inventory optimization directly affects C-suite metrics by providing a positive impact on the P&L statement (lower inventory carrying costs and reduced spend) and balance sheet (less inventory and increased cash). Making your boss look good is always a good career move.

3M acquires foam core materials producer

2011-01-04T08:21:40-06:00

3M announced January 4 that it has acquired the business of Nida-Core Corporation, a manufacturer of structural honeycomb core and fiber-reinforced foam core materials based in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Global manufacturing PMI ended 2010 at a six-month high

2011-01-03T13:53:55-06:00

At a six-month high of 55.0 in December, the JPMorgan Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) pointed to a robust improvement in overall operating conditions. The PMI has remained above the 50.0 no-change mark throughout the past one-and-a-half years. The average reading for the PMI in the fourth quarter of 2010 was above that in Q3 but below the six-year high reached in the second quarter.

Alcan Cable establishes new company in Mexico

2011-01-03T13:40:48-06:00

Alcan Cable, a business division of Rio Tinto, announced January 3 the creation of a new legal entity for its cable operations in Mexico. Its decision to establish a separate corporation, known as Alcan Cable de México, reinforces Alcan Cable's continued commitment to the Mexico market and provides the company with greater flexibility to respond to the needs of its customers.

ISM: U.S. manufacturing continues growth trend; PMI moves 0.4 points higher to 57.0

2011-01-03T09:12:22-06:00

Economic activity in the United States manufacturing sector expanded in December for the 17th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 20th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the Institute for Supply Management's latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The report was issued January 3 by Norbert J. Ore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Eurozone manufacturing ended 2010 on strong footing; PMI rises to 57.1

2011-01-03T08:02:35-06:00

The Markit Final Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 57.1 in December, up from the earlier flash estimate of 56.8 and its highest reading since April’s 46-month peak. The level of the PMI rose throughout the fourth quarter of 2010 and has remained above the neutral 50.0 mark for 15 months in a row.

German manufacturing sector sees sharp increase in job growth

2011-01-03T07:59:28-06:00

December data signaled another strong acceleration in German manufacturing output growth, with the rate of expansion picking up to a five-month high. Sharper rises in production and incoming new work contributed to the fastest pace of job creation in almost 15 years of data collection.

India manufacturing robust in December, but PMI fell 1.7 points to 56.7

2011-01-03T07:56:54-06:00

The seasonally adjusted HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a headline index designed to measure the overall health of the manufacturing sector – posted 56.7 in December, marginally lower than November’s 58.4. The latest reading pointed to a marked improvement of business conditions in the Indian manufacturing sector. While the rate of growth slowed, it remained above the long-run series average.

French industrial sector continued to expand strongly in December

2011-01-03T07:54:18-06:00

The performance of the French manufacturing sector remained strong in December. Production and new orders continued to rise at marked rates, despite some reports of disruption related to adverse weather conditions during the month. The headline Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a seasonally adjusted index designed to measure the performance of the manufacturing economy – posted 57.2, only marginally below November’s 10-year high of 57.9 and higher than the initial flash figure of 56.3.

Taiwan manufacturing index improves 3.0 points to 54.7

2011-01-03T07:52:23-06:00

The HSBC Taiwan Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a composite indicator designed to provide a single-figure snapshot of the health of the manufacturing sector. PMI readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions while readings below 50.0 indicate deterioration. The PMI posted 54.7 in December, a solid increase on November’s 51.7. The latest reading signaled an improvement in business conditions that was stronger than the long-run series average.

Brazil industrial PMI climbs above 50.0 for first time in three months

2011-01-03T07:45:12-06:00

December data pointed to a more promising end to the year for Brazilian manufacturers, as output and employment expanded at faster rates and new orders grew for the first time in five months. However, input price inflationary pressures picked up sharply.

Italian manufacturing PMI jumps 2.7 points to 54.7

2011-01-03T07:42:33-06:00

Operating conditions in Italy’s goods producing sector improved at the fastest pace since May 2007 during December. This was signaled by the seasonally adjusted Markit/ADACI Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a composite indicator designed to provide a single-figure snapshot of manufacturing performance – rising from 52.0 in November to 54.7. Higher production, new order volumes and increased purchasing of inputs all contributed to the improving picture in the final month of 2010. Furthermore, jobs in the sector were created at the fastest pace since April 2006.

South Korean manufacturing sector regained momentum in December

2011-01-03T07:39:19-06:00

December survey data, compiled by Markit for HSBC, indicated a solid improvement of business conditions in the South Korean manufacturing sector. The HSBC South Korea Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) posted 53.9 in December, a solid improvement on November’s 50.2. The latest reading signaled the fastest growth of the South Korean manufacturing sector in seven months, and was above the long-run series average.

Ireland manufacturing PMI rose for third consecutive month in December

2011-01-03T07:37:14-06:00

The recovery in the Ireland manufacturing sector continued in the final month of the year, with both output and new orders rising at solid rates and employment increasing. The improvements were recorded despite disruption caused by poor weather conditions.

SC Johnson agrees to buy Sara Lee's global shoe care business

2011-01-03T07:07:43-06:00

SC Johnson on December 31 announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Sara Lee's global shoe care business, including the Kiwi brand that has been an industry leader for more than 100 years.

CoorsTek acquires Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics

2011-01-03T07:03:53-06:00

CoorsTek Inc., now the world's largest technical ceramics manufacturer, announced January 3 the completion of the purchase of the advanced ceramics business of Saint-Gobain. Augmenting an already expansive market presence, CoorsTek now owns and operates 44 facilities on four continents.

Snap-on rings NYSE Closing Bell in honor of company's 90th anniversary

2011-01-03T06:56:50-06:00

Snap-on closed out its yearlong celebration marking 90 years of providing distinctive workplace solutions by ringing The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on December 28. Nick Pinchuk, chairman and CEO of Snap-on Incorporated, was joined on the NYSE podium by representatives of the broad Snap-on team.

Eaton completes acquisition of Tuthill Coupling

2011-01-03T06:53:36-06:00

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation on December 31 announced it has completed its purchase of the Tuthill Coupling Group, a division of Tuthill Corporation. The transaction was first announced December 16, 2010.

Kansas City Fed: Manufacturing activity continued at a solid pace in December

2010-12-30T13:54:11-06:00

Tenth District manufacturing activity continued at a solid pace in December, and producers were increasingly optimistic about future activity, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reported on December 30. Price indexes in the survey rose further, with a marked increase in raw materials prices.

Companies relying on flexible workforces as demand for products remains uncertain

2010-12-30T13:39:36-06:00

Manpower Inc., a world leader in innovative workforce solutions, says employers are continuing to hire flexible workers due to increased demand for their goods and services coupled with lingering economic uncertainty, as the November U.S. jobs report, released recently by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed the economy only created 39,000 jobs and the unemployment rate crept up to 9.8 percent.

Untapped youth labor pool Is hindering global economic recovery

2010-12-30T13:37:05-06:00

Manpower Inc., a world leader in innovative workforce solutions, stressed that a multifaceted approach to tackling high levels of global youth unemployment is essential to preventing a "lost generation" of talent which will harm economic growth and exacerbate social problems, at the 2010 CNBC & Blackstone Global Youth Employment Agenda.

China manufacturing PMI dropped to three-month low of 54.4 in December

2010-12-30T09:18:28-06:00

December data pointed to a continued improvement of Chinese manufacturing sector operating conditions. However, overall growth of the sector lost momentum, with both output and new business rising at the slowest rates in three months. The slowdown in new order growth was insufficient to prevent a further rise in backlogs of work, which in turn prompted firms to hire additional staff on average. Considering inflation, firms continued to pass on sharply rising input costs to clients through increased output charges.

U.S. lost 4.1% of its manufacturers, 3.3% of its manufacturing jobs in 2010

2010-12-30T09:15:22-06:00

Manufacturers' News Inc., publisher of industrial directories for all 50 states, has compiled a national analysis of U.S. manufacturing based on the company's state-by-state reports released in calendar year 2010. According to Manufacturers' News, industrial employment in the United States declined 3.3 percent and the number of U.S. manufacturers fell 4.1 percent when comparing the data collected by the most recent editions of MNI's directories to each state's previous edition. The full analysis can be seen here.

MNI releases list of top U.S. cities by number of industrial jobs

2010-12-30T09:12:10-06:00

Manufacturers' News Inc., compiler and publisher of industrial directories for all 50 states, has generated a list of the top U.S. cities by number of manufacturing jobs as of year-end 2010.

Japanese manufacturing output, new business and employment fell in December

2010-12-30T09:08:50-06:00

December data pointed to another deterioration in Japanese manufacturing sector operating conditions, although the rate of contraction eased to the weakest in three months. This primarily reflected slower declines in output, total new business and employment. On the prices front, input cost inflation quickened to the fastest since May. However, output prices continued to fall amid strong competition for new work.

Russian manufacturing output, new orders rose at faster rates in December

2010-12-30T09:04:47-06:00

HSBC survey data signaled that Russian manufacturers ended 2010 on a positive note, as output and new business both increased at their strongest rates since August. The seasonally adjusted HSBC Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a composite index designed to track overall business conditions, posted its largest one-month gain since September 2009 in the final month of 2010, rising from 51.1 to 53.5 in December. The latest figure signaled the strongest overall improvement in operating conditions since March 2008, and was greater than the PMI’s long-run average of 52.1.

Winnebago Industries buys manufacturer of towable RVs for $5.7 million

2010-12-30T08:28:24-06:00

Winnebago Industries Inc., a leading United States motor home manufacturer, on December 30, through a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, Winnebago of Indiana LLC, consummated the purchase of substantially all of the assets of SunnyBrook RV Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunnyBrook Manufacturing Inc.) pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement for a total cost of $5.7 million in cash.

Initial U.S. unemployment claims fell by 34,000 last week

2010-12-30T08:09:37-06:00

In the week ending December 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 388,000, a decrease of 34,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 422,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported on December 30. The four-week moving average was 414,000, a decrease of 12,500 from the previous week's revised average of 426,500.

Ontario manufacturing turned corner in 2010

2010-12-29T12:43:36-06:00

Ontario's manufacturing sector turned the corner in 2010, and will power a disproportionate share of new jobs, GDP, and exports for the provincial economy in 2011 and 2012, according to a year-end report released December 29 in Toronto.