• My father was a shoe-maker, which sounds more glamorous and interesting that it really was. He worked on the production line, pulling the “upper” leather down over the side of the last and stapling it to the insole – two sides to each shoe, two......

  • The final monthly jobs figures of the decade were unveiled on Friday, and the news wasn’t great for manufacturing: The sector lost 12,000 jobs in December. It was a tough ending to a pretty sluggish year for factory jobs. Although the overall economy added about......

  • Working to reshape the world for a rapidly aging global population, designers and engineers are learning to apply the concepts and technologies of their fields to address the clouding eyes, aching bodies and broad life experiences of the elderly. Modern design reflects the fact that......

  • There’s a special kind of emotion that comes with being—and buying—American. Individuals are likely to experience a host of feelings, either in succession or in combination. At times, this may even be overwhelming. So, we have compiled a brief list of typical responses to all......

  • It’s true that there is “no place like home for the holidays,” but during these months of sweater weather, family gatherings, seasonal celebrations, and greeting cards, it is easy to take the creature comforts that make all these things possible for granted. Let’s take a......

  • How can you make sure your Manufacturing Day event is a success? One of the most important things to do is to establish a connection with your guests. Those few hours you spend with them are your chance to communicate the importance of what you......

  • It takes more than a flashy website and clever promotional emails to compete in the manufacturing marketing arena. Chances are, your larger competitors are pitching similar products and services to the same client base. Your company’s industrial solution may be to offer state-of-the-art features at......

  • American manufacturers make everything from bus seats to fire hydrants to manhole covers. When you think about Made in America, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it that big music festival in Philly? Or perhaps it’s the final episode of The Sopranos?......

  • Tips from some of the industry leaders who are working to solve this problem. Employers often complain about the skills gap, particularly in manufacturing. As the narrative goes, there are plenty of open jobs, but not enough workers out there with the right skill set......