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 an era marked by volatility, inflation, and mounting operational complexity, global manufacturers are being asked one urgent question by their boards and investors: "Where are we losing value—and what should we fix first?"...

Many finance leaders are flying blind regarding operational losses. Despite decades of investment in Lean, Six Sigma, MES, and ERP systems, the enterprise still lacks one critical thing: a standardized, scalable, financially actionable view of loss across its factory network....

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....

At the core of operational excellence lies strong, capable teams empowered to adapt, solve, and lead. And in this new era, leadership in manufacturing is less about overseeing tasks—and more about enabling people to thrive in an increasingly digital ecosystem....

In a flashback to 2018, the U.S. manufacturing sector is once again bracing for impact. Trump 2.0 is reintroducing sweeping tariffs—this time proposing a hike on imports from key trading partners, including China and Europe1. From automotive components to food ingredients, the proposed tariffs could affect more than $1 trillion in annual trade volume2....

Manufacturers worldwide rely on Operational Excellence (OpEx) frameworks like Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Lean, Six Sigma, and TPM to eliminate inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement. These methodologies have transformed production systems by enabling process standardization, empowering employees, and ensuring incremental improvements over time....

Across the manufacturing world, improvement is everywhere — but alignment is rare. Step inside any global manufacturing enterprise, and you’ll encounter an array of well-intentioned initiatives underway. A Lean team is focused on reducing waste and improving cycle times. A digital innovation team is testing AI-powered quality tools. ESG leaders are tracking emissions and launching energy-efficiency projects. Meanwhile, the finance function is pushing for tighter cost control and faster ROI....

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....