Condition-based maintenance is a form of predictive maintenance that uses sensors to show when equipment performance is deteriorating or approaching failure, writes Limble CMMS CEO Bryan Christiansen. Implementation can be expensive and time-consuming, but can improve productivity and reduce maintenance costs.

Modular robotic technology is changing quickly, which is why companies must be selective when making purchases, writes Florence Acuna of KUKA Robotics. "With thorough vetting and a consideration for future needs, electronics manufacturers can successfully implement modular robots to support their long-term business goals," writes Acuna.

Elon Musk was always a temperamental perfectionist, but his decision to fully automate the Model 3 factory in 2016 drastically slowed production at first, leading to fits of rage from Musk and the departure of dozens of executives, writes Charles Duhigg, who spoke with dozens of employees over several months about life at Tesla.

Ransomware and spoofing attacks on companies have increased by 350% and 250% respectively this year, writes BDO executive Gregory Garrett, who urges manufacturers to strengthen access controls, hold training for all employees and have a companywide plan for responding to an incident.

Executives must take note of digital technologies, globalization and other trends affecting procurement, write Samir Khushalani and Edward Woodcock of McKinsey. "Putting the right operating model in place for procurement can be a game-changer, doubling the impact of even 'successful' sourcing departments," the authors write.

Internet of things devices are creating opportunities and challenges for logistics companies, increasing transparency and visibility while also bringing new security concerns, writes Thomas Schied of TD Bank Equipment Finance. "Ultimately, the decision to implement an IoT platform and transcend its challenges will come down to each company's willingness to adapt to a system that offers unprecedented levels of information and visibility," writes Schied.

The hierarchy of controls -- a five-step process to reduce exposure to hazards -- can be applied to cold-weather risks, writes Karen Hamel. "Train supervisors to understand that both temperature and wind chill need to be considered when employees will be outdoors," she writes.

A four-year manufacturing program at Westfield Technical Academy in Massachusetts guarantees that students will have a job available to them when they graduate. The academy also has an early-college agreement with an area technical college.

The J.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI registered 52.0 in November, unchanged from October and remaining at the slowest growth rate since November 2016. The headline index has decelerated since reaching nearly a seven-year high in December 2017 (54.5), even with a modest expansion overall. There was also continued slippage in economic growth in November in the largest export destinations. In June, all those markets expanded, but the global economy has softened since then. In November, five economies contracted, up from three in October. Those markets were Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, South Korea and Taiwan. It was only the second negative reading for Mexico since July 2013 (with the other, in October 2017, being the result of an earthquake). Read more.