Recording
Leading Edge Is An Exclusive Thought Leadership Program
that brings executives from companies of all sizes together with leading business luminaries to focus on emerging business issues and trends critical in today’s manufacturing landscape. Hear from notable industry leaders and subject matter experts as they deliver the latest perspectives on mission-critical topics impacting manufacturing operations and business.
Be part of a discussion that could deliver transformational insights and solutions for your business and stay on the leading edge of manufacturing.
Sponsored By
Resources
HBR Article: A Manager's Guide to Augmented Reality
Aug 7, 2018How IIoT changes the idea of ownership
May 22, 2017PTC: PPT of How Smart, Connected Products are Transforming Competition and Companies
Aug 15, 2018Connected Service Equipment Knowledge as Competitive Power
Mar 19, 2017
Leading by Example: Technology Companies Help Save Scarce Water Resources
Jul 5, 2017Why Manufacturers Need to Rethink How They Value Water
Mar 28, 2017Benefits of Creating a Corporate Water Strategy – and Tips for Ensuring Success
Mar 18, 20175 Ideas for Improving Energy Use
Aug 16, 2018
Powering Innovation in Manufacturing
Monday Economic Report
May 10, 2021
Manufacturing employment fell by 18,000 in April, pulling back from solid gains in the prior two months. The U.S. economy adding just 266,000 nonfarm payroll workers in April. This was a disappointing and somewhat unexpected report given the rebound in the U.S. economy, but it should not take away from the outlook for solid employment growth over the coming months. The unemployment rate edged up from 6.0% in March to 6.1% in April, with the number of unemployed workers rising from 9,710,000 to 9,812,000. The labor force participation rate rose for the second straight month, up from 61.5% to 61.7%, an eight-month high. Read more.
Volvo's 6-month paid parental leave puts "employees first"
May 10, 2021
Volvo's worldwide Family Bond policy, which grants six months of parental leave at 80% pay within three years of a child, is one effort by the company to be more "diverse, modern and flexible," says Mikael Rampa, HR chief of Volvo Car USA. "When employees who are parents feel supported to balance work and family demands, it brings us closer to minimizing the gender gap, while allowing everyone to thrive in their careers," Rampa says. IndustryWeek (5/4)
Manufacturing Institute promotes 2nd-chance hiring
May 10, 2021
The Manufacturing Institute has partnered with the Charles Koch Institute to broaden second-chance hiring by educating and providing resources for companies to attract and retain workers with criminal records, says Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute. The retention rate is high for second-chance employees "eager to start a new life," Lee says. CNBC (5/7)
Open data needed for digital twins to reach potential
May 10, 2021
Digital twins have potential to help companies and cities accurately report carbon emissions, according to digital-twin provider Cityzenith. However, "an interconnected ecosystem built around an open platform in which data flows freely" would be necessary for all stakeholders to unlock the full potential of digital twins, according to cloud-technology provider Asite. SmartBrief/Infrastructure (5/10)
Auto suppliers warn about output due to chip shortage
May 10, 2021
Auto parts suppliers including Lear, BorgWarner and Magna International warn that the semiconductor chip shortage and high material costs could affect vehicle production for many automakers, possibly until next year. "We don't expect the supply/demand imbalance to fully recover to normalized levels until 2022," said Joseph Massaro, chief financial officer of Aptiv, another auto supplier. Yahoo (5/7)
Ransomware attack sidelines major pipeline for 4th day
May 10, 2021
Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline for much of the eastern US, has been out of action for four days since hackers launched a ransomware attack. Colonial Pipeline says it is working on a restart, while the FBI has alleged that the culprit is cybercriminal enterprise Darkside, which has reportedly targeted over 40 organizations. Yahoo (5/10)
Apple supports Corning's glass R&D with $45M investment
May 10, 2021
Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund is investing $45 million in Corning, whose Gorilla Glass is used in Apple's products and Android phones, which means Apple has invested nearly $500 million in the company in recent years. Corning is developing a bendable glass expected to be used on foldable smartphones. The Verge (5/10)
EV startups put Ariz. on production map
May 10, 2021
Three electric vehicle startups plan to build their vehicles at plants in Arizona, which could become an EV manufacturing hub. Nikola is building a factory in Coolidge for its trucks, and Lucid will begin EV production in Casa Grande this spring, while ElectraMeccanica plans to manufacture its three-wheeled EVs near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The Associated Press (5/9)
Pa. manufacturer empowers workers through lean
May 10, 2021
Leaders at Onex, a family-owned industrial furnace parts maker in Erie, Pa., use coaching instead of barking orders, which helps with implementing lean practices and getting employee feedback on working conditions, writes President Ashleigh Walters. She outlines six strategies Onex used, such as collaboration-focused, aspirational goals for employees and making daily changes to reduce waste and add value. IndustryWeek (5/7)