By Omar S. Nashashibi, co-founder, The Franklin Partnership, LLC The COVID-19 pandemic not only awakened OEMs but also senior government officials in Washington, D.C. to the need for a reliable domestic supply chain. Starting in April 2020, as a lobbyist for manufacturing associations, I began fielding questions about downstream industries as policymakers came to the … [Read more...] about US Government: Supply Chains in Focus
Market Trends
US Manufacturers Face Threat of Increasing Healthcare Rates, Seek Answers to Protecting Margins
By Andrew Carlsgaard, analytics director, First Resource In an increasingly competitive landscape for hiring and retaining skilled employees, rising healthcare and benefits costs for employers in the United States manufacturing sector have become a significant concern. These employers often face challenges in providing affordable healthcare benefits to their employees while … [Read more...] about US Manufacturers Face Threat of Increasing Healthcare Rates, Seek Answers to Protecting Margins
Strategic Planning for 2024: Contracts, Labor Market and Tax Impacts
By Lindsey Munson, editor, The American Mold Builder In a matter of weeks, 2023 will come to a close and companies will begin the important task of analyzing the prior months to then take those learnings and build a strategic plan for 2024. Ultimately, this will paint a clear direction for management and internal teams as they head into a new year. By taking early … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning for 2024: Contracts, Labor Market and Tax Impacts
AMBA Releases 2023 Industry-Wide Shop Rate Data to Membership
By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA At the end of 2022, American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) members indicated that wages for their employee workforces continue to rise, despite continuing challenges related to inflation and the current economic environment. These mold manufacturers are hoping that, by offering competitive wages, they will be … [Read more...] about AMBA Releases 2023 Industry-Wide Shop Rate Data to Membership
Quick Hits: Improve Throughput, Drive Sales and Manage Cash
By Dianna Brodine, vice president, editorial, The American Mold Builder What are fellow mold builders doing right now that can be implemented in other mold shops? Take a look through these information bursts for ideas on process efficiency, new business and the bottom line. Improving throughput According to Laurie Harbour, president of Harbour Results, Inc., the edict from … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Improve Throughput, Drive Sales and Manage Cash
Recession and Growth: Building Resiliency in a Mold Shop
By Laurie Harbour, president and CEO, Harbour Results, Inc. It’s been an interesting three years for the manufacturing industry. In 2020, the industry was hit by COVID-19. Together, everyone learned what to do. Despite starts and stops, ups and downs, the tooling industry persevered. Then, in 2021, it was a year of unprecedented high demand for energy and major durable … [Read more...] about Recession and Growth: Building Resiliency in a Mold Shop