Shop Strategies Articles

Results: 52

	How to get from ABC to ERP : Getting lost in an acronym soup, companies long for a simple, integrated, manufacturing-specific system By: Adria Iles, Contributing Writer If all of the letters and acronyms associated with software systems have you confused, don't worry, you are not alone. More readers than would... Publish date: March 23, 2010
	Why lean manufacturing won't make you rich — Part II : Common misconceptions By: Chris Hoff Every business always has the same goal: to become world-class through everyday changes by meeting the needs of demanding customers who will... Publish date: March 1, 2010
	Older than Oscar : Century-old stamper seats thousands of movie-goers By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal� Editor If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Figure 1 Irwin Seating Co. has been seating audiences,... Publish date: March 9, 2010
	On the cusp of recovery : FABTECH prepares attendees for upturn During a conference presentation, Richard Kallage pointed to a slide depicting a simple timeline, something that perhaps drove so many to... Publish date: January 8, 2010
	Creating a time analysis to measure shop floor efficiency : It doesn't take a huge investment to find out how to eliminate money-losing activities By: Wm. B. Duke Whiteside If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. As a management consultant, I visit shops like these quite... Publish date: December 2, 2009
	Getting the SPA treatment : Using safety and performance audits to improve gas welding and fabricating If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Figure 1 A gas-saver flowmeter regulator can help minimize... Publish date: September 1, 2009
	10 steps to successful value stream mapping : 10 steps to successful value stream mapping By: Chris Hoff If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Value stream mapping (VSM), as defined by the Lean... Publish date: September 1, 2009
	The job shop CRM revolution : How an integrated CRM system can improve customer loyalty By: David Lechleitner, Contributing Writer As we look forward to coming out of the current recession, most manufacturers already have chosen a method for reducing or eliminating costs.... Publish date: August 11, 2009
	Plasma cutting and how it works By: Kent Swart, Contributing Writer The basic technology for plasma cutting has been around for decades. Researchers and engineers remain focused on increasing cut speed,... Publish date: August 11, 2009
	Beginning the lean manufacturing journey : LAI International takes the first steps, reaps rewards right away By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. The resume for LAI International, Scottsdale, Ariz., is an... Publish date: August 1, 2009
	How bankruptcy and restructuring are changing the Detroit Three : What it means for suppliers By: Bernard Swiecki With GM and Chrysler both undergoing bankruptcy restructuring procedures, the North American automotive industry of late 2009 and beyond will be... Publish date: August 1, 2009
	Technologies help to make shops structurally sound : 4 benchmarks your operations need to beat By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer Carbide drill lines depend on clamping and underside support in order to prevent material chattering and tooling deflection. Photo courtesy of... Publish date: May 19, 2009
	Selling during good times, bad times : Achieving a premium price is possible regardless of the economy By: George Spilka You're thinking about selling your company, but you're not sure if the time is right. The economic news is confusing. The Dow Jones Industrial... Publish date: March 19, 2009
	Survival—Are factors other than the economy dragging down your operation? By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer I'm not going to sugar-coat it; our economy stinks. As optimistic as I'd like to think I am, I am also a realist. Maybe it's because I live... Publish date: February 10, 2009
	Mining lucrative medical device prospects : There�s gold in them there hills By: Kate Bachman, Editor Editor's Note: This report is an abridged version of the report "Medical Devices Outlook"by Richard Paddock and Matthew Hein of the U.S.... Publish date: January 27, 2009
	Automated collection of real-time production data : How to get the data, and what to do with it once you have it By: James Finnerty The software systems that you use to run your business, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES),... Publish date: September 30, 2008
	5S—The foundation for lean and safe By: Michael Taubitz, Contributing Writer Lean is the term coined to describe the Toyota Production System. A simple definition is that lean is the identification and elimination of... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	ASME and AWS welding codes—Similarities and differences By: Carl Smith, Contributing Writer The most commonly used codes for qualifying welders are the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section IX and American Welding... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	Shake, rattle, and the toll : Angle grinder improvements promote ease of use, safety By: Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor Angle grinder manufacturers are faced with the challenge to make the tool lighter, safer, and more comfortable to operate. An angle grinder... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	Getting lean, job shop style : Ace Metal Crafts� brand of lean puts employees in the driver�s seat By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor Most managers at Ace have been with the company for years. President Dale Ball joined the firm 21 years ago. CEO Jean Pitzo took the reins of... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	Intelligent business investments in uncertain economic times By: Dave Lechleitner, Contributing Writer When the economy falters or even shows the first signs of slowing, businesses have a tendency to retrench. In an effort to lower costs and... Publish date: July 29, 2008
	Diversity a blessing for Blessing : Diverse customer base�from heavy equipment to medical�key to Blessing Industries� success By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor Blessing Industries fabricated many of the components for this vertical drilling machine used by the utility, mining, and construction sectors... Publish date: May 13, 2008
	5 tenets for finding and keeping new business : These tips can help fabricating companies achieve their marketing goals By: Jim Romeo, Contributing Writer Ann Latham, owner of Uncommon Clarity, a consulting and strategy firm with many industrial clients, has outlined some tenets for firms seeking... Publish date: March 25, 2008
	6 structural steel lessons not found in books : Frank advice on fixing some 'structural' mistakes made in steel fab shops By: Jim Caudle Someone who fabricates plate products in the world of structural steel has to have an open mind. Think about it. "Structural" applies to beam... Publish date: November 6, 2007
	Strategic sourcing for stampers : Reducing material and purchasing costs through an annual buy program By: Frank Rubury Material is the single largest cost component for stamping companies—about 50 percent to 60 percent of annual sales. This amount may vary... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	Lean tool and die solutions : Adapting to a new economy By: Gary Gathen Editor's Note: This article is adapted from Gary Gathen's conference that will be presented at FABTECH® International & AWS Welding... Publish date: September 11, 2007
	The rewards of rapid changeover : In-house program helps steel processor achieve new levels of productivity By: Colin McLoughlin Many manufacturers, though they may not realize it, go into crisis mode when changing tooling or processes between production operations. By... Publish date: May 8, 2007
	An exception to the industry rule : How a small lubricants supplier is thriving Editor's Note: This column was prepared by the staff of Winning Workplaces, a not-for-profit organization that helps small and midsized businesses... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Why lean manufacturing is no get-rich-quick program : Part I: Basic principles to help your company get lean By: Chris Hoff Mid-West Metal Products dynamically nests its parts, grouping different jobs together for maximum material utilization. Television commercials... Publish date: October 10, 2006
	Lean implementation failures : Why they happen, and how to avoid them By: Richard G. Kallage Editor's Note: This article is adapted from Richard Kallage's presentation at Practical Lean: Successful Lean Manufacturing for Smaller... Publish date: July 11, 2006
	How to get a handle on your inventory : ... and what not to do By: Frank G. Rubury Interest rates and inflation are climbing, price pressures are increasing, and energy costs are rising. Some Wall Street economists say a... Publish date: April 11, 2006
	Working toward Six Sigma success By: S. Manivannan, Contributing Writer Many companies have implemented Six Sigma with great success. Driving a company from a Three or Four Sigma business process to a Six Sigma... Publish date: March 7, 2006
	Waste replaced : Considering lean manufacturing for your welding shop By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer If you aren't lean in your welding shop, it's just a matter of time, experts say. Every day several companies report success through... Publish date: October 11, 2005
	Are your weld procedure specifications relevant? : Why compliance is important�through a weld inspector's eyes By: Paul Cameron In fabrication shops that require code or standard compliance, welding sometimes isn't completed within the guidelines of the qualified... Publish date: March 8, 2005
	Winning with Lean : How a stamper cut waste, boosted productivity, and raised employee retention By: Kathleen McLaughlin, Contributing Writer Larry Martin hates the term lean manufacturing. "When someone mentions lean manufacturing, it usually conjures up visions of layoffs and a... Publish date: September 14, 2004
	Lean on it : Despite roots in high-volume production, lean manufacturing can still help job shops By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Mike Wriglesworth of W.W. Metal Fab, Milwaukie, Ore., is a convert. Lean manufacturing is his new religion. At least, that's what he and... Publish date: August 10, 2004
	How to be successful in small business : Welding shop owners share tips, experiences By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer In November 2002 Greg Lamm was laid off from his full-time welding job. One month later he started his own microwelding business. This... Publish date: May 4, 2004
	Lean and Mean : How a $50 million stamper became more efficient, profitable The metal stamping industry is facing many challenges, such as increased raw material prices, pressure from automotive industry OEM and... Publish date: April 6, 2004
	Do you see the light? By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief To be more specific, fabricators may be missing out on an opportunity to pocket some savings if they haven't taken a close look at how... Publish date: February 26, 2004
	Looking to the future : Steel supplier designs facility based on regional current, future needs The decision to produce cut-to-length steel and blanks at the new plant arose from regional stampers' and other manufacturers'... Publish date: June 12, 2003
	Using technology to implement lean manufacturing By: John Leibert, Contributing Writer Lean manufacturing meshes today's information technology with Toyota's much-lauded just-in-time (JIT) approach, which has been adopted by many... Publish date: June 12, 2003
	Superior Service—Why you need it By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Industrial customers value good service even more than retail customers do. They depend on their suppliers to deliver goods on time, just... Publish date: April 10, 2003
	Changing the way they do business : Bridge, structural fabricators have to think about process choices By: Steven T. Snyder, Contributing Writer Dealing with work loads, delivery schedules, and many other responsibilities doesn't leave managers with much time to consider factors that... Publish date: September 4, 2001
	Principles of welding productivity : How three leadership techniques can improve quality By: Jesse Grantham, Contributing Writer It is the welding manager's responsibility to allocate the resources required to achieve cost-effectiveness in welding processes. It also is the... Publish date: February 14, 2002
	Gaining control over the shop floor: : How software affects record-keeping and quality By: Phil Davis, Contributing Writer What happens after you finally get that big order, the one that can keep the shop busy for the next few months, and with a strong profit... Publish date: February 19, 2001
	Cash in on lean manufacturing : Fabricators say it isn't easy, but rewards are worth By: Tony Carroll, Contributing Writer Everyone is promoting lean manufacturing today, but some fabricators still have a lot of questions about it. The FABRICATOR® looked at... Publish date: February 14, 2002
	Will just-in-time become just-in-case? By: Matthew Goodfellow, Contributing Writer The aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon has cast some doubts on the practice of lean manufacturing and... Publish date: February 14, 2002
	Paperless with a plan : Rethinking paper on the factory floor By: John Leibert, Contributing Writer The idea of removing paper from the factory floor is getting more attention these days. However, paper removal should not be the only goal. The... Publish date: August 29, 2002
	Tips on Lean Manufacturing: Mastering the stop 'n' go of your shop's work flow By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer Kaizen—or continuous improvement—is based on the concept that there is always an opportunity to modify, enhance, or improve any... Publish date: August 16, 2001
	Tips on Lean Manufacturing: How to purge weight from your manufacturing operation By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer While some people have caught on to the need to get lean in their manufacturing operations, others still are waiting for the so-called fad of the... Publish date: February 19, 2001
	Common barricades on the road to lean By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer Shops trying to create a lean manufacturing environment within their businesses sometimes make common mistakes that could be avoided with... Publish date: October 25, 2001
	A case study in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer Lean manufacturing can be defined as "getting more done with less"; namely, less waste. One of the greatest forms of waste is not capitalizing on... Publish date: June 12, 2002

Advertising Information