CMTC Manufacturing Blog

Posted by Rachel Miller

Toyota Kata--a structured approach for creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement--had its beginnings in manufacturing. The word Toyota refers to the Japanese carmaker’s renowned production system methods and tools. A Kata is a routine practiced so its pattern becomes a habit that over time gives workers new skills.

Posted by Rachel Miller

The pressure on today’s workforce is considerable. COVID-19 has introduced new challenges. There are new rules about social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) gear. Workers may be dealing with changes to equipment and floor plan layouts to ensure a safe workplace. All of this means new responsibilities and heightened expectations of supervisors in the manufacturing setting.

Posted by Rachel Miller

Even before COVID-19, manufacturers were facing challenges on several fronts relative to hiring and retaining a high-performing workforce. In addition to the easily observed factors – lack of a qualified applicant pool, turnover and absenteeism, and under-performing KPIs – there are various hidden problems.

Posted by Jacob Horne

It is estimated that there are around 300,000 companies in the Defense Industrial Base (“DIB”) across the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. Roughly 99% of the DIB is made up of small and medium-sized businesses which are companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Posted by Rachel Miller

How can employers protect their employees and workplaces while battling COVID-19?

In order for manufacturers to develop a safety plan for their facilities, they must consider the whole workforce and all visitors. “Your assumption should be that people who look perfectly healthy may be asymptomatic carriers and spreaders,” said Eliot Dratch, a CMTC consultant and manufacturing operations/safety expert.

Posted by Jacob Horne

If you are part of the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain, you likely have various Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) disclosures that you must attest to during the course of doing business.

Posted by Gregg Profozich

It seems like no part of the economy has been left untouched by COVID-19. Both essential and non-essential industries have felt the impact of the novel coronavirus and its devastating effects on the economy, especially manufacturing.

Posted by Jacob Horne

Cybersecurity is a complex topic no matter what industry vertical it is applied to. In order to reduce that complexity, it helps to frame cybersecurity in the context of the business. For manufacturers, there is a familiar concept that can be used: begin with the end in mind.

Posted by Eliot Dratch

Workplace safety is at the top of everyone's mind right now. Manufacturing facilities have opened up (if they shut down at all) and companies need to make sure they are in full compliance with CDC and OSHA regulations, and also meet the guidance coming from within their county. 

Posted by Jacob Horne

For many small and medium-sized manufacturers the great teleworking experiment brought on by COVID-19 has been a painful one. The sudden shift to telework poses numerous managerial, logistical and operational hurdles. To make matters worse, cybersecurity risks are amplified by the needs of a remote workforce.