By Lisa Anderson The recent Executive Order on Securing America’s Defense Supply Chains highlights a growing reality for manufacturers: critical minerals have become a strategic priority. While the order focuses on strengthening defense supply chains and reducing dependence on foreign sources, the implications extend far beyond defense contractors. Manufacturers across industries rely on critical minerals […]
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By Lisa Anderson Tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain instability, labor shortages, changing customer expectations and the rapid evolution of AI continue to reshape manufacturing. Yet despite ongoing disruption, some manufacturers continue to gain market share, improve customer service, increase profitability and scale successfully. What separates them from those constantly reacting to the latest crisis? They […]
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By Lisa Anderson As manufacturers must scale rapidly to meet increasing needs across the spectrum, hyperscale manufacturing is becoming a competitive differentiator. Companies are expanding domestic production as geopolitical risks force greater control, tax and deregulation benefits roll out, tariffs stabilize and incentivize investments in manufacturing and artificial intelligence-driven demand is forcing industrialization at speed. […]
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By Lisa AndersonAs manufacturing rebounds amid continued geopolitical uncertainty, real-time supply chain visibility has become essential to operational resilience. According to the Business Continuity Institute, 72 percent of suppliers who dealt with a breakdown in their supply chain lacked the full, real-time visibility needed to come up with a fast and simple solution. On the […]
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By Lisa Anderson Manufacturing has been in contraction according to the Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) for the last few years, while geopolitical risks are heightened and tariffs have created additional uncertainty, yet the future is starting to look bright. Investments and expansions are picking up, which will stimulate opportunities in the New Year. The […]
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By Lisa Anderson During volatile times of heightened uncertainty, companies typically batten down the hatches to save money and avoid rocking the boat. As the business outlook pivots to the positive within the next several months, demand will be stimulated, providing huge opportunities for those companies prepared to scale rapidly and serve customer needs. To […]
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By Lisa Anderson As companies navigate tariffs, geopolitical risks and high interest rates, there is an emphasis on reducing costs and inventory levels to free up cash and maintain profit levels while successfully serving customers’ ever-changing needs. The most successful companies are upgrading their planning processes and rolling out automation and advanced technologies not just […]
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By Lisa Anderson Since tariffs went into effect, supply chain vulnerabilities have been exposed. We are in a global supply chain with wildly varying levels of risk and exposure depending on the country of origin, product composition and each specific company’s strategy. The most resilient and innovative will have more opportunities than ever before, whereas […]
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By Lisa Anderson The world is VUCA-laden (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) and trending to greater volatility as risk heightens, supply chains unravel and short-term priorities remain intact. Although the wars around the globe are showing potential signs of progressing towards peace, a cold war of manufacturing capabilities and natural resources has escalated. Tariffs have created […]
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By Lisa Anderson In the second half of 2024, manufacturers in the U.S. and Mexico were in contraction according to PMI readings while Canada showed continual expansion. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is based on a survey of private sector executives and measures the health of the economy. Canada has scored in expansion territory (greater […]
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