Ups and downs in the commodity market are expected, as this highly volatile market is strongly impacted by a number of factors, including world events and shifting economies. And manufacturing costs are necessarily affected as a result. The following are…
Whether you like it or not, geopolitical relationships affect business. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, relationships among international governments will have an effect on where and how you do business…especially when you’re a company that relies…
The current macroeconomic outlook is affecting our personal outlook, and manufacturing is no exception. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell for the sixth straight month in June. In the 48 years the NFIB has…
As many can attest, it’s been a long 2 years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. In an industry where our work crosses continents, the travel restrictions and supply chain difficulties that came with the pandemic necessarily sparked vast…
Global supply chain challenges have been in the spotlight often over the past year and a half, and are front and center once again, with the potential they have to upset the Christmas shopping season. You’ve likely seen the stories,…
The US-China trade war, ongoing unrest and issues in Hong Kong, general mistrust of China, and attempts at decoupling are topics that grab headlines daily. And they are rightfully a cause of concern for manufacturers with Chinese suppliers. As these…
Over the first half of this year, global manufacturing activity has surged while restrictions on travel and other services continue to direct consumer spending into merchandise. But in their effort to meet demand, manufacturers are unintentionally fueling inflation. A run-up…
The past 15 months have presented manufacturers with an unprecedented series of challenges. These challenges exposed companies’ supply chain weaknesses like never before. According to a study by Capgemini Research Institute, more than 80% of organizations’ supply chains were negatively…
When it comes to outsourced manufacturing, you may think that working directly with a factory is the best route. While going factory-direct seems attractive with the prospect of saving time and money, that is often not the case. It might…
Used for everything from electronics to power transmission to construction, copper is an integral component in the manufacturing world. So when the price of copper fluctuates, it affects nearly every segment of our economy. Over the past year, the price…