by Lara Copeland, assistant editor, The American Mold Builder Joining the family business always has presented challenges and benefits to both the older and younger generations. And, of course, every one of those situations comes with its own unique set of troubles and blessings. The three stories featured here help to shed some light on the trials, tribulations and triumphs … [Read more...] about Growing Pains and Intergenerational Business: Three Vignettes
Leadership
3 Key Strategies for Continuous Improvement
Compiled and summarized by Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA Continuous improvement is at the heart of any successful manufacturing company. If ownership, the management team and all employees aren’t looking constantly for ways to eliminate waste, simplify processes or improve quality, then the organization has become stagnant – and likely is leaving … [Read more...] about 3 Key Strategies for Continuous Improvement
Workforce Development: The Long Game
by Brittany Willes, contributing writer, The American Mold Builder Manufacturing industries have struggled with labor shortages for years, and the problem only is expected to get worse. According to Forbes, “[T]he long-standing fact remains that there’s a wide disparity between the number of people entering the field of manufacturing and the needs of the industry. Estimates … [Read more...] about Workforce Development: The Long Game
Bridging the Gap: Helping Young Professionals Develop into Effective Leaders
By Lara Copeland, assistant editor, The American Mold Builder In many ways, the manufacturing industry is booming in the US. Operations have been working toward development and growth and are now beginning to enter new markets with plans to expand facilities, but there seems to be one important element in insufficient supply: the workers. According to the American Mold … [Read more...] about Bridging the Gap: Helping Young Professionals Develop into Effective Leaders
Recruiting the Next-Generation Workforce
By Brittany Willes, contributing writer, The American Mold Builder Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, one of the key issues facing leadership across nearly every industry was that of recruiting and retaining the next generation of employees. For the mold- and toolbuilding industries, workforce development is especially crucial as the older generation – often with decades of … [Read more...] about Recruiting the Next-Generation Workforce
Economic Smooth Sailing or Headed for the Rocks?
By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence The business leaders of today resemble the captains of those old clipper ships. They know where they came from and they have an idea where they are going, but what happens in between is unknown and possibly disastrous. Thus far, the assumptions regarding the macroeconomy have ranged from glass half full to glass … [Read more...] about Economic Smooth Sailing or Headed for the Rocks?