The Commerce Department reported a 0.4% gain in durable goods orders in August, with a 1.8% gain for capital goods excluding aircraft and defense. July's figure for capital goods excluding aircraft and defense was revised upward from 1.9% to 2.5%.
More consistency in 3D printing output could make it useful for more manufacturing applications, and that requires better hardware, software and organizational processes, write Richard D'Aveni and Ankush Venkatesh. Additive manufacturing platforms, for example, can create consistency across locations in terms of output and the software that's used.
More than 90% of metal manufacturers have been at least somewhat affected by the pandemic, and long-term demand reduction is a primary worry, according to a Salvagnini America survey. The pandemic does provide an opportunity to reevaluate how products are designed and which products your company is offering, write Kathy Conrad of Salvagnini America and Russ Branton of FMCS Co.
Kraft Heinz's procurement department aims to produce $1.2 billion in savings over the next five years by transforming four supply chain domains: sourcing, product development, centralization and manufacturing, according to Marcos Eloi, chief procurement officer. "With a cross-functional approach, we're using our consumer insights and competitive benchmarking, addressing both our cost structure as well as our product designs," he said.
Three-dimensional lidar systems that manufacturers typically use for security and to track products may also be repurposed to ensure proper distancing among employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Researchers are also pursuing new and nondisruptive ways to monitor workers' body temperatures at a distance.
The North Face has begun working with its outdoor apparel and gear designers to create products with an eye on how they can be repaired or refurbished and resold in the future, as part of The North Face Renewed program. Sustainability and keeping more goods out of landfills have become part of The North Face brand, and that involves getting all teams engaged, said Dan Goldman, global vice president of strategy.
The STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute are honoring 130 women this year. "At a time when manufacturers still face a workforce crisis, and with women constituting less than one-third of manufacturing workers, honoring women leaders in the modern manufacturing industry and inspiring more women to enter the field is as important as it's ever been," says Executive Director Carolyn Lee.
Next week's Manufacturing Day events will highlight the need for manufacturing jobs and career technical education, as well as opportunities for young people realize manufacturing's career paths, writes Glenn Marshall. "Manufacturing Day is a vehicle for creating a new awareness that 'Made in America' and the American dream can be become a reality for our students," Marshall writes.
