To stay abreast of industry trends, we, the editors, read countless articles and editorials written by experts from across verticals. We're always learning more about the people, technologies, and events that are making waves in the manufacturing space, and we want to share this information with you. In this brief, we’ll cite our sources and highlight columns and features that can help improve uptime at your plant.

Automation 

Manufacturing Robots: Buy? Lease? or As-a-Service? [Industry Week] 
Manufacturers are acutely aware of the benefits of integrating robots into their production lines. Paying for such an upgrade, however, can prove prohibitive. Alternatives to purchasing this advanced equipment outright include leasing agreements and the robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model. But which strategy is right for you and your plant?

Management

3 Digitalization Strategies Driving Supply Chain Resiliency [New Equipment Digest]
It’s no secret that supply chains are suffering. The disruptions of the past few years have exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities within these critical systems, leaving companies to search for new technologies and techniques to improve automation, visibility, and resiliency. This article examines three common supply chain risks and how to overcome them.

‘Where Are the Big Wins?’ How I Got Fired as a Lean Consultant [Industry Week]
Many businesses, and the senior leaders who run them, are searching for “big wins” that require a minimal investment of time and resources and are “guaranteed” to produce change and returns quickly. This mentality can prove toxic when an organization is trying to implement a lean culture of continuous improvement. This article offers real-world examples of how “big win” thinking can ultimately hurt a business. 

Monitoring 

Condition Monitoring With or Without Wires [Food Processing]
Collecting actionable data on the health of your machines is essential to improving maintenance and reliability at your facility. The influx of remote sensors has made obtaining data even easier, and wireless networks are helping to ensure this data is communicated securely. In this article, learn how technological advancements are changing the field of condition monitoring. 

Planned Maintenance 

Eliminating Unnecessary Spare-Parts Spending [American Machinist]  
If you want to improve your annual maintenance budget, consider reducing your spending on spare parts. If you’re like many manufacturers, your facility suffers from holding obsolete parts, purchasing non-standard parts, and even stockpiling parts. This article highlights five ways to eliminate unnecessary spare parts costs. 

Workforce

VR Training for Ensured Safety and Knowledge Retention [EHS Today]
Virtual reality (VR) technology isn’t just for video games. Thanks to its immersive nature, VR is being used in numerous applications, including safety training. While traditional training teaches workers the proper steps to follow, VR allows them to apply their knowledge in a nearly real environment, which can be dangerous and unpredictable. This article outlines how VR training can be used to improve knowledge retention and keep workers safe.