In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, operational excellence remains a cornerstone of success. But achieving consistency alone is no longer enough to stay ahead. To gain a true competitive advantage, companies must go beyond the fundamentals of operational excellence and embrace innovation, value creation, and adaptability....

Only a handful of manufacturing companies are equipped to handle this new volume of manufacturing data. Thus, data integrity must become a top priority for every manufacturer....

If you think that the internet has changed your life, think again.  The Internet of Things is about to change it all over again!...

Many companies have committed one (or more) of what could be described as the 7 deadly sins of modern manufacturing....

In today’s highly competitive manufacturing landscape, smaller operations often wonder how they can hold their own against larger players. The secret lies not in having the largest budgets or the most advanced facilities but in focusing on operational efficiency, adopting lean manufacturing principles, and leveraging digital transformation to level the playing field....

Loss analysis has come a long way in the manufacturing industry. From its humble beginnings to today’s advanced methodologies, it has transformed the way we uncover opportunities, eliminate waste, and drive value creation in manufacturing. In this post, we’ll explore how loss analysis evolved—from small manual efforts to data-driven systems leveraging loss analysis software—and why it’s critical for boosting manufacturing efficiency....

In the world of manufacturing, one question often arises: What really is a loss? It’s an important question—and one that opens the door to transforming operations. A loss is more than just waste; it represents an opportunity. Whether you call it waste, inefficiency, or rework, the essence remains the same. Data suggests that nearly 30% of what we do in manufacturing involves waste. This could be wasted materials, time, effort, or energy. But instead of viewing it purely as waste, consider it as the distance between where you are and where you could be—a gap waiting to be bridged....

5 companies providing faster and more efficient Robotic and Automatic Changeover to manufacturers....

The “what” of financing determines the “how” of financing There are four digital investment types: Pure business initiatives, foundational investments, trial investments, and big bets....

Why do some manufacturing companies gain more value from Industry 4.0 than others? Because they regard the adoption of Industry 4.0 as an overall strategic business objective....

Imagine a synergistic organization, where silos are broken by common customer-centric objectives and a transparent flow of information....

The limited evolution in the practical application of data collected from new technologies in manufacturing operations is a significant challenge. Manufacturers often forget or neglect the "why" behind their decision to adopt new technology in the first place. Although technology adoption in manufacturing can seem like a viable path toward competitive advantage, it is often value creation in manufacturing that determines a project’s sustainable success....

Gain access to the CPG Benchmarking Study Key Takeaways for a more cohesive understanding of SmarterChains' 10 Industry 4.0 Dimensions Framework. For additional information download the Study and have a closer look....

With the right guidance and support, actors within this industry can leverage the power of data and technology to deliver a better, more agile, and integrated manufacturing ecosystem that ultimately unlocks value for a wide range of stakeholders across society....

Industry 4.0, above all, is opening up new and exciting pathways for companies to level up their capabilities and performance but it is also accelerating the demise of companies that cannot successfully leverage these possibilities and adapt fast enough to the changing landscapes around them....