Smart Manufacturing Blog

Welcome to your source for all things smart manufacturing. Whether you’re looking for expert insights, hard data, or actionable tips for your plant floor, we’ve got you covered every week of the year.

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What Does Corporate Social Responsibility Mean at Plex?

Cheryl Yuran December 23, 2019

“Corporate social responsibility” has many definitions, but one that you’ll rarely come across is “a measure of great work/life integration.” It may be unconventional, but I hope it is far from surprising to you that Plex believes corporate social responsibility should be woven into the very fabric of an organization’s culture. And where does culture start? With people. ...

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With 2020 In Sight, We Take a Moment to Admire Manufacturers

Lori Zoellner December 20, 2019

As we get ready to turn the page on 2020, it’s time to take stock of the year, and we can’t do that without taking a moment to take note of the one thing Plex was truly thankful for in 2019: the manufacturer....

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What Shop Floor Data Should You Collect?

Stu Johnson December 17, 2019

As Industry 4.0 becomes more of a reality, smart manufacturers are looking for those precious insights promised by the industry analysts. But manufacturers have been collecting so much data for so long, it’s hard to know what to use and how to convert it into usable information....

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5 Reasons to Attend PowerPlex 2020

Kaitlin Rebella December 12, 2019

PowerPlex, the annual user conference that brings together manufacturers from around the globe, is set to take place May 12-14, 2020 in Detroit. If you haven’t already heard the news, early bird registration opened today. If you’re not familiar with PowerPlex, this nearly 20-year-old conference has annually been the gathering place for manufacturing and technology leaders well before “smart…

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Government Funding for Canadian Manufacturing Businesses: A Proactive Approach

Myra Bredin December 3, 2019

Manufacturers in Canada are often the primary recipients for government funding, as manufacturing grants tend to be more widely available than for any other industry segment, making industrial companies well-aligned to access financial incentives....

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Auto Industry Evolution Sparks Eurotranciatura Mexico’s Growth

Lori Zoellner November 19, 2019

The atmosphere in the global automotive industry is becoming more electric—literally. The Global EV Outlook 2019 reports that the global electric vehicle fleet exceeded 5.1 million in 2018, up 2 million from the previous year and almost doubling new electric car sales. Those numbers are expected to grow exponentially....

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FABTECH: What We Are Learning from Our Manufacturing Leaders

Kaitlin Rebella November 13, 2019

When you think of metal stamping and fabrication, you might not immediately think about the industry’s use of cutting-edge technology with precision metal design. But the fact of the matter is, the smart application of manufacturing technology is a key trait among manufacturers that succeed....

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3 Key Technologies to Focus on for Industry 4.0

Jerry Foster November 5, 2019

It’s no secret Industry 4.0 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution will influence the industry for years to come. This cyber-physical evolution is changing the way manufacturers make things, serve customers, run their plants, and do business....

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Scary Stories to Tell on the Shop Floor

Kaitlin Rebella October 30, 2019

With Halloween around the corner, spooky stories aren’t far behind. But, for manufacturing professionals, the scariest season might not be limited to October 31st alone. Terror can take on a whole new meaning when it comes to nightmares on the shop floor. Here are the top phrases that might leave any plant manager with a legacy ERP system quaking....

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Shopping for a Manufacturing ERP? Consider Your Deployment Options

Dave Morfas October 29, 2019

Make no mistake about it: ERP is a major investment for any manufacturer. The new solution you choose may be Command Central for your employees for the next eight to 10 years—or longer. Many manufacturers begin their ERP research by looking into industry-specific features and functionality. ...

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