Gross Profit Margin Drives Your Business Model
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO I’ve been writing strategy and financial plans for forty years. From the big one, AT&T, down to my various start-ups and turnarounds. In this blog, I want to
California Winemaking and Lean Production
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO California winemaking is massive as one might expect. The business is complex requiring many skill sets including farming, science, production, marketing, and finance. During the pandemic, wineries struggled
A Kaizen Success Story for Soapy Faith Soap Co.
Let’s see, what’s in my shopping cart this morning? “Patience is Power” and “Have Some Self Control.” What? It’s soap and it’s fantastic. The names and packaging are driven by self-affirmations which are almost
Online Job Fair to Connect Manufacturers With Job Seekers
The Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea) and Bay Area Community Colleges (BACC) will hold a region-wide manufacturing job fair online to connect manufacturers and jobseekers on Wednesday, March 15, from 3 to 5
When in Crisis, Manufacturers Can Look to Kata
By Sarah Burlingame Reposted with permission from nist.gov There is more to lean manufacturing than improving a few processes. Sustainable lean success requires a companywide culture of continuous daily improvement. Companies that develop their people
Corrective Actions in Food Manufacturing Without the Collective Complaining
Manex President and CEO Gene Russell interviewed Manex Food Manufacturing and Safety Consultant Michael Guerrini, Ph.D. about the coming year and areas the C-suite needs to acknowledge as ongoing challenges and opportunities. What’s one
5 Things We Learned in Germany
By Matthew Fieldman Reposted with permission from nist.gov I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz around the German apprenticeship system – but does it really live up to the hype? That’s what a recent mission of 16
Benefits of Lean Manufacturing Amid Inflation
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO Lean manufacturing offers significant benefits during inflation I see a lot of predictions out there on inflation and recession. How about stagflation? Did you live through that one?
Demands for Increased Visibility Are Impacting Cybersecurity Preparedness
This contributed article by NIST focuses on the increased threat for data theft and urgent need for cybersecurity preparedness. By Nathan Sable Reposted with permission from nist.gov Digitization and connectivity are having a huge
The Future of Food Traceability – FSMA 204
The FSMA Journey Continues | What's Ahead for Food Traceability By Manex Consultant, Michael Guerini Ph.D. An increasingly globalized supply chain and evolving regulations are making food traceability a priority for food and packaging
Manufacturers Identify Top Challenges They Expect to Face
By: Megean Blum and Nico Thomas Reposted with permission by nist.gov When Nico asked me if I wanted to collaborate on this year’s challenges blog, my second thought after agreeing to the idea was a scene from
Manufacturing Roundtable
In honor of Manufacturing Week, the City of Morgan Hill hosted a Manufacturing Roundtable on October 13 featuring two panels with leading industry experts, including Manex President & CEO Gene Russell. Watch Webinar Recording
Keeping California Manufacturing at the Top
By Gene Russell, Manex President and CEO Building a new generation of manufacturing workers will help make this happen. MFG Day is manufacturing’s biggest annual opportunity to inspire the next generation to start careers in
Five Trends That Will Impact the Food Industry For Many Years
By Matthew Inniger Reposted with permission from nist.gov Thanks to NIST for this information about food industry trends that will impact food processing and food manufacturing as well as the entire industry. Focusing on supply
The Power of Influence
By Michael Shabaka, Ph.D., Manex Influencing Skills for Leaders Workshop on Thursday, October 27, 2022. People often don’t realize the impact they can have when it comes to influencing others. When asked the question