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High Tech & Electronics
Plex Manufacturing Blog
5 Key Takeaways from the 5th Annual State of Manufacturing Technology Report
The state of manufacturing technology is one that is constantly evolving. What is true one month might not be true the next, and we have seen that volatility with the impact of COVID-19. So how do manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve to drive growth and stay ahead of competition?...
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How Jagemann Answered the Call for PPE Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Guest post from Amy Jagemann, marketing and customer service manager, Jagemann Stamping The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we view business, our personal lives and the safety of our family, friends and communities. For my colleague Nathan Dudney, director of sales and business development at Jagemann Precision Plastics – a division of Jagemann Stamping – this battle is…
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Restarting Plex ERP After An Unprecedented Shutdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the manufacturing industry across the world, including organizations that leverage the Plex smart manufacturing systemplatform. Fragmented supply chains have become significantly harder to manage. Demand in many industries has fallen. Manufacturers have found themselves hobbled as they try to sustain current operations or shut down entirely for an undetermined…
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Medical Device Manufacturers Answer the COVID-19 Call
Medical device manufacturers like Okay Industries are finding ways to support healthcare individuals and industries by becoming more creative and resourceful....
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Declining Manufacturing Production Turns the Corner
This week’s global data marks a turning point: the decline of manufacturing production is starting to flatten, and in some regions and industries, even shows an upturn in activity. For instance, let's first look at two of our bigger data sets – manufacturing in the United States and China, both of which are showing signs of improvement (see graphs below). U.S. data set...
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Manufacturing Leaders Share COVID-19 Response
In today’s volatile global environment, manufacturers around the world being tasked with adapting to fluctuating supply chain demands, meeting new regulatory requirements and addressing shifting customer needs – all while protecting the health and safety of their workers....
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Global Manufacturing Community Activity Diverges from China Recovery Model
Global manufacturing activity continues to drop – now producing at approximately 20% of where rates were four weeks ago, when we saw the start of a steep decline in activity....
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Worker Health and Safety Becomes a Global Conversation
Any plant manager will tell you that the health and safety of their workers has always been a top priority. But as the COVID-19 crisis wages on, manufacturers around the world are having to quickly adapt their already robust safety initiatives to include strict protocols to prevent the spread of the virus....
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The Value of Continuing Project Education During a Crisis
As COVID-19 continues to impact business of all shapes and sizes across the globe, we are seeing upheaval in society we thought only existed in popular works of fiction. With more than 80 percent of the global workforce affected by full or partial workplace closures, it goes without saying that many companies are trying to figure out the best way to get work done....
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While New COVID-19 Cases in Asia and Europe Flatten, Manufacturing Recovery Lags
According to the latest Plex data on global smart manufacturing production, overall manufacturing activity (see graph, below) is still dropping, while reports that the rate of new COVID-19 cases in some Asian and European countries we’ve been tracking are flattening and slowing, respectively. ...
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Thoughtful Supply Chain Planning in the Face of Rapid Change
There’s little that could properly prepare the world for the magnitude of global events such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. These situations not only impact us as individuals, but often highlight critical vulnerabilities in our business processes. ...
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Manufacturers: Expect a Prolonged Recovery
A lot has changed around the world since we at Plex reported last week’s findings. The number of reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S., Italy, and Spain have each surpassed China. Italy is starting to see a modest decline in new cases....
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4 Ways to Improve the Quality of Supply Chain Planning
The rise of automation, shop floor analytics, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have impacted the manufacturing industry and enhanced production with the introduction of timely data for more informed decision making. But what about major shifts like enhanced in-car connectivity, growing demand for electric vehicles, or adjusting to changing customer preferences? Are manufacturers…
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China Serves as Potential Model for Post-Coronavirus Manufacturing Resurgence
Over the weekend, China announced it would be reopening its tourist attractions. It’s an encouraging turnaround for the country, which has experienced more than 80,000 confirmed cases since the virus broke around Chinese New Year. As the first country to experience the devastation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), China is also serving as a model for recovery....
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COVID-19 Resources for Manufacturers
Given the pace of change with coronavirus (COVID-19) – both the spread of the virus, and the responses from local and federal governments – we are sharing resources and information that may be helpful to you as you determine your own company’s business continuity response and strategy in real time....
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Unique Data Set Contextualizes COVID-19 Impact on Manufacturing
A mere week ago, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic. In the weeks leading up to and following this announcement, governments, organizations, and businesses (including us here at Plex Systems), have taken measures to not only reduce the spread and impact of the coronavirus for the health and safety of the communities we live and work in, but also…
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Celebrating International Women’s Day at Plex
I have always thought of Plex as being a unique and rewarding place to work. Not only does the work challenge me, but it allows me to step outside of my job responsibilities and work on causes I’m passionate about, all for the betterment of the company. ...
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CES for Manufacturers: Key Takeaways for Industrial Application
I recently spent three days walking the halls of CES 2020 (the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, and I can only describe it in one word: "insane." With over 2 million square feet of exhibits, 4,400 vendors, and 180,000 attendees, I felt even after three dedicated days, dozens of miles of walking, and one big blister, I still only scratched the surface. ...
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What Does Corporate Social Responsibility Mean at Plex?
“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
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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