Uncovering Hidden Costs on Your Imports
As a U.S. manufacturer, it is important to be aware of the hidden and sometimes lofty costs you are likely incurring on every international payment. It is common for U.S. manufacturers that are operating
Why Implement Lean Manufacturing?
More than 95% of all manufacturing companies in California have less than 50 employees. Small companies are facing stiffer competition and are chasing the same customers in many cases. You must be the best
Reducing Risks and Costs for Your Global Business
With manufacturing costs high and margins already slim, it is critical that SMB’s are privy to practices that can be implemented to reduce unnecessary expenses. As the currency markets continue to become more and more
You Have a PCQI Food Safety Plan. Now What?
Many food manufacturers believe that their onsite Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and Food Safety Plan will satisfy supply chain verification guidelines as mandated by the FSMA legislation. However, this is incorrect. The Food Safety
Exporting…Why Manufacturers Should Bother
So much chatter online, differences of opinions, BREXIT votes and TPP posturing, no wonder companies are confused today as to why they should even think about exporting. For average companies today, in particular a
Closing More Business: Turning Presentations Into Conversations
There are certain trends that I believe are critical to sales success in today’s environment, and this is one of those trends. I believe turning presentations into conversations is one of the keys to closing more
Reap the Benefits of a CA Made Label
The “buy local” movement is gaining momentum. Is your business taking full advantage of this sales opportunity? CA Made is a new state-labeling program designed to encourage consumer product awareness and to promote the
The Incredible Benefits of Creating an Entrepreneurial Workplace
By incorporating an entrepreneurial workplace, the impact can be millions of dollars, either in revenue, cost savings or both. I believe, even more importantly, it can dramatically change the culture of an organization in an
The Case for an FSMA Receiving Facility/Supplier Platform
1.0 Introduction Current supply chain food safety practices typically involve the following, and may have downsides if applied as the appropriate methodology for Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance. Large receiving facilities direct their
What is Smart Manufacturing? (Part 2)
In our first blog, What is Smart Manufacturing; we laid the foundation for SM and what it entails for small and medium sized manufacturers. Basically, we began the discussion about what it is by defining
What is Smart Manufacturing? (Part 1)
Over the past several years, the topic of Smart Manufacturing has been a conversation among manufacturing experts, strategists and thought leaders. However, despite its recent coverage in the press and in journal articles, many in
FREE Energy Management Training Program
Are you a current PG&E Customer? PG&E is offering a new Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) program to help small and medium size manufacturers identify ways to save money by reducing electricity and natural gas usage.
B2B Platform Announcement
Manex (Northern California’s MEP) SFMade (a regional public-private partnership) and BriteHub (a private technology company) are implementing a powerful new design-manufacturing collaboration and sourcing platform that will catalyze regional product design/innovation, connect new product demand
Lean Manufacturing
With relentless pressures to provide more value to customers, reduce costs and increase sales, companies across a wide range of industries are embracing Lean Manufacturing. Lean Manufacturing processes can revolutionize the way that companies deliver
Food Safety GMPs for HACCP
HACCP and Lean Manufacturing With the changes in federal food safety law, food producers, manufacturers and processors are under a legislated mandate to tighten up their food safety programs. Smaller entities, which had not been