#MFG

Tom Gale of Modern Distribution Management

February 25, 2013 By Brent Smith Leave a Comment

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Tom Gale, President of Gale Media/Modern Distribution Management

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The Numbers Never Lie

We have been looking forward to speaking with Tom Gale, President & Publisher, Gale Media/Modern Distribution Management, for quite a while now. Modern Distribution Management (MDM) provides in-depth resources for executives in the wholesale distribution industry. Armed with a team of award winning editors MDM offers valuable in-depth insight into the wholesale distribution industry supported by original content that can’t be found anywhere else. In addition to all the mentioned above, we are proud to have MDM as a syndication partner of Manufacturing Revival Radio!

Tom informed us that Gale Media also recently acquired Industrial Market Information (IMI). IMI profiles North American markets for a variety of industrial products to provide distributors and manufacturers insight to better forecast and plan their business. Tom discussed in depth the importance of properly utilizing solid data. It was fascinating to listen to Tom describe how sometimes data can contradict an organization’s intuition within their very own markets. He also spoke about how organizations can successfully capitalize on strong data by using the results to help predict patterns in the markets.

Data Affects Your Sales Process

As today’s interview continued Tom elaborated even more on how a distributors sales and marketing team can really use segmented data to really hone efficient sales and marketing strategy. Want to learn how to properly use analytics to gain the upper hand in your markets? Then you must take a moment and listen to this informative discussion. When is the last time your organization did a comparative gap analysis? Don’t miss Tom explain why your answer has been too long!

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Filed Under: Innovation Tagged With: #MFG, Analytics, Data, Distributors, Dreamland Interactive, Gap Analysis, IMI, Manufacturing, MDM, Modern Distribution Management, Tom Gale, Wholesale Distribution Industry

Robert Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

February 22, 2013 By Brent Smith 1 Comment

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Institutes of Innovation

Robert Atkinson, President of the Information and Innovation Foundation

As we all know, last week President Obama presented the State of The Union to the Country. During his speech he spoke on a variety of topics including one of our favorites, American Manufacturing. Today we welcomed Robert Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), to discuss the President’s manufacturing initiatives stated during the State of the Union. The ITIF is a non-partisan research and educational institute. Robert explained it in the best terms as simply, a “Think Tank.” Working to influence public policies to help drive innovation and technologies around the country.

During his speech President Obama spoke about creating 15 Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Today Robert explained exactly what these Institutes are and why they can play an important role in keeping US Manufacturers competitive in the global market. We spoke today on the differences between pre-competitive versus post-competitive R&D. The conversation traveled in many different directions including an interesting debate on whether US Manufacturers really need the government to assist them with innovation. If you want to hear all of Robert’s insights about the possible creation of these 15 Manufacturing Institutes please take a moment and listen to the interview in its entirety.

Staying Current and Competitive

Today’s interview really covered a lot of current events including a discussion on the White House’s recently announced anti-theft trade strategy. Believe us when we say that you owe yourself a favor! So treat yourself by downloading this fascinating conversation about real time issues that have the ability to affect everyone.

Filed Under: Innovation Tagged With: #MFG, Information and Innovation Foundation, ITIF, Manufacturing Institutes, Manufacturing Revival Radio, President Obama, Robert Atkinson, State of the Union, US Manufacturing

John Sprovieri of Assembly Magazine

February 20, 2013 By Brent Smith Leave a Comment

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John Sprovieri, Chief Editor of Assembly Magazine

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Whether Assembling One Large Item or 1000’s of Small Ones Assembly Magazine Has You Covered

It’s hard to believe but we may have found somebody who enjoys speaking with Manufacturers as much as we do! MRR is proud to welcome John Sprovieri, Chief Editor of Assembly Magazine. Today we learned that Assembly Magazine has been around for nearly 50 years providing original content to Manufacturers, Distributors, Managers, Engineers, and anyone else who assembles products on a daily basis. By keeping their subscribers informed about the latest assembling technology within wide variety of industries the value that Assembly Magazine provides it readers grows stronger with every issue.

Cross Pollination of Industries Equals More Innovation

John described that by covering a wide range of industries readers are often able to pick and pull the best practices and techniques from areas that they normally would have never considered. John also spoke about emerging trends in manufacturing, specifically the role that automation is going to play looking towards the future. Even more specifically, we discuss the potentially enormous impact that the new Baxter Robot will have on small to medium size manufacturers. Curious what the outlook for capital spending looks like for 2013 and 2014? Take a listen and hear John cover the results of Assembly’s Capital Equipment Spending Survey.

As we usually note, we simply covered too much ground to describe everything here. The only way for you not to miss anything is to take a moment and download the interview. It makes for a great way to unwind after a busy today.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: #MFG, Assembly, Assembly Magazine, Baxter Robot, Capital Spending, Innovation, John Sprovieri, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Revival Radio, State of the Industry

Butch Rich of Rame-Hart

February 19, 2013 By Brent Smith 1 Comment

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Rame-Hart manufacturers egg harvesters and inoculators used to develop flu-vaccines that help save lives every year

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If you have ever had a flu shot, then there is a good chance that in a small way you are connected to our next guest. We welcomed to the show Butch Rich, Director of Operations with Rame-Hart. Rame-Hart began as a design and build machine shop and today has evolved into a leading manufacturer of Egg Harvesters and Inoculators. It is these Harvesters and Inoculators that are the backbone of the flu-vaccine industry.

SHOW NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Why should you care about egg inoculators.

2. How important is precision when handling thousands of eggs a day?

3. Who are Ramé-Hart’s primary customers?

4. Are the inoculators custom built?

5. Butch discusses his journey from the plant floor to his current position.

6. We discuss the need for innovation.

7. The importance of investing in R&D.

8. Click here to learn more about Rame-Hart

This episode brought to you by:

Filed Under: Technology, Uncategorized Tagged With: #MFG, Butch Rich, Dreamland Interactive, Eggs, Flu, Flu Shot, Innovation, Inoculators, Manufacturing, Production, R&D, Rame-Hart

Brian Reelitz and Hank Norem of Ramco Innovations

February 18, 2013 By Brent Smith Leave a Comment

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Brian Reelitz, President of Ramco Innovations

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We had a great time speaking with Brian Reelitz and Hank Norem, President and CFO of Ramco Innovations, respectively. Ramco Innovations is a leading distributor of factory automation products and solutions with a focus on great customer service and innovative product offerings

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES:

1. We learn the history and background of Ramco Innovations.

2. How has the industry changed during Ramco’s 50 years of experience.

3. What’s the best way to serve your market while providing excellent customer service?

4. Using a consultative sales approach to provide solutions.

5. How staying Lean helps organizations become competitive.

6. Maintaining a diverse customer base helps distribute risk in an uncertain economy.

7. What does Ramco see as emerging trends in Manufacturing.

8. The value of being a Association of High Technology Distributors (AHTD) member.

9. Click here to learn more about Brian Reelitz.

10. Click here to learn more about Hank Norem.

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Filed Under: Innovation, Technology Tagged With: #MFG, AHTD, Customer Service, Innovation, Lean, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Revival Radio, Ramco Innovations, Technology

Alan Beaulieu, President of ITR Economics

February 13, 2013 By Brent Smith Leave a Comment

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Alan Beaulieu, President of ITR Economics

Today we were happy to speak with Alan Beaulieu, President of ITR Economics. With over 60 years of continuous operating economic research ITR Economics stands as one of the most experienced consulting firms in the United States. Alan was kind enough to share a glance into his well proven crystal ball as to what the future may hold for US Manufacturing. With a proven accuracy rate of 94.7% over the past 60 years this is a discussion that you don’t want to miss.

SHOW NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

1. The history of ITR Economics and how they have maintained an accuracy rate of 96.4% for the past few quarters.

2. The value that ITR Economics provides its customers by providing non-biased forecasting.

3. How can you use economic forecasting to best prepare your business for the future.

4. Alan discusses some of the factors that influence the methodology for maintaining such a high accuracy rate.

5. Why does Alan believe the outlook looks positive for 2013?

6. How can organizations grow during a recession.

7. Does the turmoil is Washington affect an organization’s decision making.

8. We discuss interest rates.

9. To learn more about Alan Beaulieu and ITR Economics click here!

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Thanks for listening!