IMTS Insider | International Manufacturing Technology Show

New Approaches to Supply Chain Resilience

Category: Supply Chain • Sep 3, 2021

Author: Tim Shinbara, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology

Supply chains have evolved as an efficient way to source raw materials and parts from the most cost-effective global sources for the manufacture of final products. To date, they have not focused on resiliency, visibility, or redundancy; instead, the goal has been to deliver speed and quality at the lowest possible cost. In this article, we look at alternatives to focusing on price point alone.

Set Aside the Silos for Reshoring Success

Category: Supply Chain • Jul 21, 2021

Author: David Burns, Senior Advisor, AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology

Our global manufacturing infrastructure has largely evolved as asynchronous silos. However, dynamic digital manufacturing technology tools are most useful when fully integrated with each other. We need to elevate our game by thinking holistically and installing these technologies as a comprehensive whole.

Transmission Manufacturer Combats Supply Chain Disruptions With Transparency, Collaboration and Creativity

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 30, 2021

HM Manufacturing, a manufacturer of power transmission components discusses response to supply chain disruptions with Crain’s Chicago Business. Customer relationships and talent curation are top priority.

There Is No Substitute for Speed

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 30, 2021

Can pure velocity reshape the supply chain and move the productivity curve? Inspired by the whoosh of a racing Maserati on the autobahn, long-time advanced manufacturer David Burns explores how our obsession with speed, combined with digital manufacturing, might be the golden ticket to reshore, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate productivity.

Improving the Supply Chain with Model-Based Definition

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 24, 2021

The manufacturing industry has the potential to reap many benefits from Model-Based Definition (MBD) practices, such as time and cost savings and improved quality. Before stepping into MBD, it’s important for parts makers to avoid common roadblocks and prepare people for a culture shift.

Update on Export Controls and Sanctions

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 4, 2021

Will the new administration pursue a tougher policy regarding trade and export controls with China? What are the Congressional bills under consideration for dealing with the competition and the perceived high-technology threat posed by China? The former undersecretary of Commerce discusses these concerns.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: Reshoring Initiative Mission & Resources

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 1, 2021

Reshoring is gaining momentum throughout the country. Discover how the Reshoring Initiative is encouraging companies to bring advanced manufacturing jobs to the United States with resources that accurately assess a company’s total cost of offshoring. See how to shift collective thinking from “offshoring is cheaper” to “local reduces the total cost of ownership.” Gain tips to drive reshoring for your company.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: Skilled Workforce, the First Priority - Part 1

Category: Supply Chain • Jun 1, 2021

A widening skills gap threatens to erode U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and thus our economy. A talent pipeline with a sufficient supply of properly aligned skills is imperative in meeting U.S. manufacturers’ needs for capacity, productivity and innovation. “Rebuilding and Reshoring: Skilled Workforce, the First Priority - Part 1” examines the manufacturing workforce skills gap and its impact on competitiveness and the U.S. economy.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: How Competitive is U.S. Manufacturing?

Category: Supply Chain • May 13, 2021

Seventy percent of offshoring decisions are based on price. U.S. FOB (Free On Board) price averages 20% above developed countries and 40% above developing countries. Half of the gap would be closed if companies sourced based on Total Cost of Ownership instead of price, thereby recognizing relevant costs and risks amounting to 15 to 25% of price. The government must close the final gap by leveling the playing field.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: TCO, A Deeper Dive (Part 1)

Category: Supply Chain • May 13, 2021

Localization, producing near suppliers and customers, often reduces total cost due to shorter supply chains and contributes to a lean and agile strategy. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the best way to recognize these savings instead of using less accurate measures like Free on Board price. Part one of this two-part series explains how using the TCO metric strategy can help companies uncover easily ignored hidden costs and risks, narrowing the apparent U.S. competitiveness gap

Rebuilding and Reshoring: TCO, A Deeper Dive (Part 2)

Category: Supply Chain • May 13, 2021

Get the details and learn how to effectively evaluate the true cost of domestic sourcing vs. offshore sourcing with the Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) Estimator. It’s helped 5,000 companies bring the manufacturing of parts and products back to the United States. Even gain tips for winning sales against offshore competitors.

Eliminating Inventory on the Water

Category: Supply Chain • Apr 13, 2021

With more than 40 years of manufacturing technology experience, AMT Senior Advisor Dave Burns believes that dynamic digital manufacturing technologies form a framework for success. Here, he shares a true story of how 3D printing changed the supply game and freed up one million dollars of in Work-in-Progress.

Toward Resilience: Supply Chains in a Post-Shock Era - Prospects For Recovery

Category: Supply Chain • Mar 30, 2021

While the timeline for economic recovery in the manufacturing industry is still unclear, industry leaders continue to look for strategic ways to ensure greater supply chain resiliency, make technology and other investments better positioned after the recovery, and take advantage of possible legislative support.

New Administration: Industrial Policy/Supply Chain

Category: Supply Chain • Mar 17, 2021

Last month, President Biden issued an Executive Order to assess America’s supply chain and four classes of products where American manufacturers rely on imports. AMT VP Tim Shinbara is encouraged by the common language legislators and industry are speaking.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: What the U.S. Government Must Do

Category: Supply Chain • Mar 12, 2021

The United States needs an Industrial Policy. To reverse the trend of goods trade deficits and to boost competitiveness, the United States should acknowledge that a revitalized, price competitive, manufacturing sector is its first priority, necessary to accomplish other key objectives.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: Four Actions Communities and States Can Take

Category: Supply Chain • Feb 12, 2021

The United States does not have control over the behavior of foreign consumers and governments. However, we have unlimited control over our domestic internal competitiveness initiatives. The federal government controls most of the large reshoring tools but community levers are more accessible. Here are five actions communities can take to collaborate locally to support American competitiveness and rebuild U.S. manufacturing.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: Proposing a Goal for U.S. Manufacturing Success

Category: Supply Chain • Feb 1, 2021

The future state of U.S. manufacturing depends substantially on our success in reducing, rather than further increasing, our approximately $800 billion goods trade deficit. That deficit equals about 40% of actual U.S. manufacturing output or about 5 million manufacturing jobs. Our proposed goal: collaborate to balance the trade deficit and rebuild a resilient U.S. manufacturing powerhouse.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: 7 Actions Technology Suppliers and Distributors Can Take to Help Their Customers

Category: Supply Chain • Jan 29, 2021

Technology suppliers and distributors can sell more by helping customers reshore. Take advantage of the current pivot to shorter, localized supply chains for resiliency and agility in the wake of the supply shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Do what you do best and identify your products that can make U.S. manufacturers competitive enough to reshore!

Winning in 2020 with Reshoring

Category: Supply Chain • Jan 28, 2021

During IMTS Network week, Trenton Forging and Die-Tech & Engineering were recognized as recipients of the 2020 National Metalworking Reshoring Award. The award honors companies competing—and winning—in a global marketplace.

Rebuilding and Reshoring: What can contract manufacturers do?

Category: Supply Chain • Dec 14, 2020

U.S. import volume is about 130% of domestic production. A widening skills gap, underinvestment, weak marketing and a narrow scope of core competencies threaten the growth of U.S. manufacturing. These challenges must be addressed so companies can thrive and meet goals for growth.