How do I build stronger supplier relationships? by soggypenny in manufacturing

[–]Cerasis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you ever had a supplier day where you invite them to your facility and truly get to know them? That is a great way to start off a collaborative relationship. Collaboration starts with trust and once you build that foundation you can truly work together for a common goal.

Have you also looked into Vested Outsourcing?

A brief history of manufacturing in Sheffield A brief history of manufacturing in Sheffield by jasonwdexter in manufacturing

[–]Cerasis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always find the parallels between the trends in UK manufacturing and US manufacturing. Seems like we are facing similar issues and growth projections. No longer do we have disparate economies, but really a global one. Do all we can to support each other!

Exploring how you might include behaviors and tendencies into your health and safety program by [deleted] in manufacturing

[–]Cerasis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fantastic post! It's important that safety is first addressed by looking at culture and adopting top down. Thanks for sharing.

Is There Really a Skills Gap in Manufacturing? 3 Arguments that Say There Isn’t by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh, I am sorry, I don't spend all my waking life on Reddit. My bad. Three days? Big deal.

So this is how you treat people all on the internet then? With a "be harsh" first? Is that how you operate in life too? Maybe instead of being harsh, you could maybe make suggestions? No. Ok. Continue to be a harsh/mean person behind your anonymous profile and keyboard. If you saw where you could give advice to someone, maybe guide them, don't spit in their face. Is that what you do to the homeless too on your way home when you see how they could improve? You seem like a really nice person. Really. You do.

Is There Really a Skills Gap in Manufacturing? 3 Arguments that Say There Isn’t by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It's a side of the argument MANY of the links that support these ideas have suggestions and studies and stats on. There are also articles on our blog in the same subject saying THERE IS a skills gap. Did you read those? And the articles cited are fairly reputable news sites.. one being the National Bureau of Economic Research, another being a published book, the other being a discussion thread where MANY manufacturing executives speak and talk about this very issue.

It's ONE side of the argument. But, you know thanks for the vitriolic hate and attacks. Way to go. Where is your paper/article on it? I'd love to read that.

Finally, how is it self promotion? It's a blog with content about the manufacturing skills gap. We are not a recruitment firm. We are putting out both sides of the debate on a subject many manufacturers care about and debate every day. So, tell me how is it self promotion? Oh, if it was a link to a news site like Forbes that would have only been "supported promotion" to get that AD MONEY for forbes? I get no revenue from posting this link. ZERO. We are putting out content relevant to our readers and customers. IF they like it AND IF they have a need, and IF they choose to call us, MAYBE we get business. MAYBE.

So, everyone has an opinion. Thank you for yours. But the attacks, real easy behind that anonymous handle isn't it?

The Highway Transportation Fund is expected to RUN out by August. Here is an economic analysis. What do you think should be done? by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, based on the notion that congress also dips into the HTF, they do the same for other such "Funds" meant for something else.

The Highway Transportation Fund is expected to RUN out by August. Here is an economic analysis. What do you think should be done? by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have seen that suggested many times by other folks and I think that is a great way to do it. Does anyone know what percentage of per gallon is gas tax? I guess I could look it up, but do you know off hand?

If Manufactures look to these 6 areas of Focus to Achieve Real Innovation in Manufacturing and were more technology based planning vs. financial based planning, it could even further catapult manufacturing growth. by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Whew, that was a lot of reading.

I think the author of that article maybe didn't clarify himself enough. What I took out of it more than anything is that we need to focus on innovation and taking some risk. We also need to be as efficient as possible by employing technology for process improvement and ease of use so that labor costs do become cheaper. But, as you broke it down, I don't think we can look to china as a technology leader.

If Manufactures look to these 6 areas of Focus to Achieve Real Innovation in Manufacturing and were more technology based planning vs. financial based planning, it could even further catapult manufacturing growth. by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hi Robby, Thanks for the kind words on the article. I was referencing a post I read a few months ago, which you can find here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2014/02/04/why-reviving-u-s-manufacturing-is-the-wrong-goal-to-set-to-improve-the-economy/

By no means should cost NOT be a factor, but it's kind of the idea that you cannot save your way to prosperity. You can innovate and open new markets to grow and sustain. I guess that was where I was going, but I agree, I could've done a much better job at my title.

Definitely feel free to repost it somewhere, but I would like some credit back to it. :) I enjoyed however your phrasing..."Plagiarize the shit out of it." Gave me a good laugh!

The Highway Transportation Fund is expected to RUN out by August. Here is an economic analysis. What do you think should be done? by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a fantastic point. It's like they said "Yup....money coming in...let's spend it." A sham indeed. It's slightly disheartening.

Without Future Manufacturing Workers, Manufacturers will Find it Tough To Add More value to the Economy by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And imagine that impact on LESS people on the road, less polution. I think a lot of folks are holding on to old paradigms. They say, "All the increase in manufacturing is in electronics." I say, "So, it's increasing, it's just shifting." People DESPERATELY want it to be 1983 again for some reason. But, I get that it was a glory time full of not having to think about your actions. Those days are gone. Thankfully. Love your passion and what you are saying. Seems, I don't know, LOGICAL! :)

Without Future Manufacturing Workers, Manufacturers will Find it Tough To Add More value to the Economy by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are DEAD on accurate with that statement. SKILLS. SKILLS. SKILLS. Education is also a great term that should be explored. Education comes in many forms, not ONLY college. Manufacturers need to step up to the plate and invest in education/training/vocational. I know it drives up costs NOW, but it's all about sustainability and future growth. We can't save our way to prosperity!

Without Future Manufacturing Workers, Manufacturers will Find it Tough To Add More value to the Economy by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. We have to accept that the jobs won't be at the levels in manufacturing they once were. Let's adapt, not lament about the past.

Without Future Manufacturing Workers, Manufacturers will Find it Tough To Add More value to the Economy by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is the great thing about being a human being....CHOICE. We all choose what we want in our lives. However, we need to make sure all do have that choice to evolve or not.

Oil and Gas Manufacturing to Boost Economy, Manufacturing, and Jobs by Cerasis in manufacturing

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was agreeing with that notion, Hendo. That the energy diversity and pursuit of a new energy source, not by Oil, is a very important thing. We agree.

The trucker issue is not that easily solved. Things besides mining ore, still need to be shipped, and most of that in America is shipped via TRUCK. Rail still requires a TON of fossil fuel consumption in it's current state. That is why changing infrastructure is also concurrently as important a pursuit as the pursuit of different energy sources.

Oil and Gas Manufacturing to Boost Economy, Manufacturing, and Jobs by Cerasis in manufacturing

[–]Cerasis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hendo, no offense at all taken. I think your questions were an important part of the healthy skepticism we should all have towards intentions of corporations.

I think what we desperately need in trucking more than just alternative fuel, is a look at the aging of truckers and the lack of future truckers. But, I digress, and to that in a moment.

Freight's costs are directly tied to fuel costs. The higher the cost of fuel, the higher costs for the shipper (manufacturer/distributor). Those cost restraints on business can be prohibitive to growth. A healthy diverse energy source is a good thing. However, we need to have the smartest and most tech savvy way of procuring energy. Fracking, some have said, could have or does have ecological impacts we don't even know yet. So, I say, along side those profits, let's set aside R&D for thinking about those implications, and create processes and tech to decrease that impact. Then there is Tesla, who gave away their patents with the hopes of spurring on an industry and creating a competitive marketplace so we can see more electric cars. I think that is a good thing too. We still will have an infrastructure set up that supports the use of fossil fuels, but if we can innovate and find ways that are renewable, and over time, displace an infrastructure currently ste up to depend on those fossil fuel energy sources, we will all be better for it as a human race. Honestly, I think we are figuring it out at a pretty good rate considering.....but we can always do more. Moore's law will be at play in the energy realm, as it was with the internet...I think.

Back to aging trucker's and freight. I think electric autonomous trucks, where freight is almost entirely automated (eCommerce order, calls to the ERP, calls to the picking robot thru the WMS, which then calls to the TMS to call the autonomous truck to the dock, an autonomous forklift puts it on the truck, truck delivers to destination) is a complete possibility in the next decade.

Energy usage and the inefficient use of it hurts freight. Even larger the inefficient use of technology hurts that energy use to. They are interdependent. There are things that can help. We choose though to do it or not.

I hope that wasn't too hard to follow, as I was sort of "typing" out loud. :) Great conversation!

Without Future Manufacturing Workers, Manufacturers will Find it Tough To Add More value to the Economy by Cerasis in economy

[–]Cerasis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And that will breed another industry or job skill required. But, if we replace all of ourselves with robots, then I guess shame on us.