Smart Manufacturing Blog

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HK Metalcraft’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Approach: A Family Legacy

Plex Team January 3, 2017

Joshua Hopp is the fourth-generation owner of a manufacturing business that specializes in precision metal stampings. His father, Raymond, installed a company-wide ERP system back in the 80s when no one else in the industry even considered it. Nearly three decades later and that once cutting-edge ERP now required customization after customization to keep pace with customer demands. ...

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How Manufacturers Thrive in an Uncertain Economy

Plex Team September 14, 2016

How do you handle uncertain times? One strategy is to hunker down and “weather the storm.” For manufacturers, this often means limiting technology investments until the chaos subsides, then attempting to time technology improvements during high-growth periods....

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Supplier Expands Production with Manufacturing ERP Software

Plex Team August 1, 2016

Putting customers first is a mantra that FloraCraft takes to heart. The company has built its 70-year reputation as the world’s largest fabricator and supplier of Styrofoam™ brand foam products for the craft, floral, display, and special event industries on this guiding principle. Jim Scatena, FloraCraft’s President and CEO says it’s this philosophy that has helped his business remain so…

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Parts Manufacturer Consolidates Operational and Shop Floor Data with Cloud ERP - Video

Plex Team July 18, 2016

Who is Avon Gear? Headquartered in Shelby Township, Michigan, Avon Gear Company manufactures precision-machined components and subassemblies for heavy industrial equipment manufacturers. The company has experienced steady growth since its beginnings in 1974 and continues to look for ways deliver quality products to its customers....

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How Cloud ERP Drives Manufacturing Innovation

Plex Team July 13, 2016

Manufacturing has always been driven by innovation, from the first production line to modern sensors and robotics. Today, wearables and other connected tools are poised to transform how things are made. A central force in this transformation is cloud ERP—which now reaches all the way from materials in the supply chain to the employees and equipment on the plant floor to the hands of the customer…

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Analytics: The Key to More Efficient Operations and Better Products

Plex Team April 19, 2016

Paul Wright, VP, Information Technology and CIO of Accuride, a leading global supplier of commercial vehicle wheels and wheel end components, shares his perspective on how Big Data and analytics has helped Accuride improve customer satisfaction and product quality, while at the same time improving efficiency and driving down costs....

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FT Precision Finds Continued Success in the Cloud

Plex Team January 22, 2016

FT Precision makes rocker arms for one of the world’s leading automotive OEMs, delivering products that are key to the performance of some of the worlds most efficient and reliable automobiles. Founded in 1994, FT Precision Inc. is a Japanese-parented, Ohio-based, automotive component supplier....

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Handcrafted Candies in the Cloud: How Sanders Found Success

Plex Team December 30, 2015

As dozens of Sanders cherry cordials pass under the enrober, a molten waterfall coats them in pure, dark chocolate. Two candymakers use gloved fingers to create the classic “Sanders Twirl” atop the candy before it enters the cooling tunnel....

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Electronics Manufacturing Moves to the Cloud

Plex Team March 10, 2015

“We focus on what we can offer that nobody else can,” explains Firstronic CEO John Sammut. “Our differentiators have become better shop floor controls, advanced technology, speed-to-market and flexibility.” Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Firstronic makes electronic components for automotive, industrial and medical industry customers....

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Valentine’s Day Floats on a Cloud

Plex Team February 10, 2015

While Valentine’s Day has been celebrated since the 18th Century, it wasn’t until 1861 that candy makers placed their chocolates into heart-shaped boxes. The rest, as they say, is history. But what goes into making all the chocolates and truffles, and managing the increased demand for holidays like Valentine’s Day?...

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