Reshoring vs nearshoring: a decision checklist for manufacturers
Many US manufacturers are asking whether they should move some of their supply closer to home. The question usually comes […]
Procurement & suppliers
Procurement & suppliers
A supplier diversification plan for mid-size plants
After a supply disruption, many manufacturers decide to “diversify suppliers.” It is a sound goal, but without a plan it […]
Procurement & suppliers
Single-source supplier risk: how to find and fix it
Most manufacturers depend on at least a few suppliers that they cannot easily replace. That is not always a problem. […]
Tariffs & landed cost
Practical ways manufacturers reduce tariff exposure
Tariffs have become a moving target for US manufacturers that buy imported parts or materials. Rates change, new measures are […]
AI & data
ERP Data Cleanup Checklist for Manufacturers
Every supply chain improvement, from better reorder points to new software or AI, depends on data. If that data is […]
Procurement & suppliers
Why a monthly purchased-parts review pays off
Purchased parts are where many plant problems begin. A supplier slips, a tariff changes or a part quietly stops moving, […]
Choosing software
ERP, MRP or a planning add-on? How to choose
Software terms in supply chain overlap, and vendor websites do not always make the differences clear. If you are a […]
Choosing software
Signs your plant has outgrown spreadsheet inventory management
Many small manufacturers run inventory planning in Excel, and there is nothing wrong with that. Spreadsheets are flexible, familiar and […]
Working with consultants
When to bring in a manufacturing operations consultant
Operations problems are often easy to feel and hard to name. The team is busy all day, overtime keeps rising, […]