Economic development doesn’t just create jobs when manufacturers open new facilities. There are plenty of so-called “indirect jobs”, too. When 1366 Technologies opens its new Genesee County plant in 2017, the solar wafer manufacturer will employ between 600 and 1000 people. The Bedford, Massachusetts company will also bring supply chain and operational opportunities to New York State. Can you benefit from them?
Spring doesn’t begin until March, but the nation’s advanced manufacturing hubs will soon grow again. In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce will solicit bids for two new nodes in the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).
Did you know that New York City is the capital of desktop 3D printing? Brooklyn-based Makerbot is the most powerful player, but there’s plenty of room for startups. Among publicly-traded 3D printing companies, the firms that are the most focused are also the most successful.
Successful manufacturers don’t just make the most of what they do best. They protect themselves against unnecessary risks. Leading manufacturers also understand that over-reliance on a single sector or customer can be dangerous.
The Cornell Center for Materials Research JumpStart program, funded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), is designed to assist New York State small businesses develop and improve their products through university collaborations; the ultimate goal is revenue growth and job creation.
Does your manufacturing company do more than just make things? Historically, manufacturers have adopted a product-centric business model. Today, just making a good product isn’t good enough. That’s the word from Cisco, a leading manufacturer of networking equipment. According to the Silicon Valley giant, the service that happens after a sale is also important – and often represents a lost revenue opportunity.
New York State companies that export what they make do more than increase total sales. They diversify their customer base for more balanced growth. As members of the global economy, these companies also tend to become more innovative and flexible. Often, NYS exporters become the employers of choice in their geographic areas. That’s especially good news for manufacturers, who sometimes struggle to find and attract talent.
Just-in-time inventory (JIT) helps manufacturers to curb waste and control costs. By receiving goods as they’re needed during production, JIT reduces inventory overhead. There’s a catch, however. Manufacturers must forecast demand with accuracy. Suppliers must deliver on potentially tight timetables. Amazon Prime Air promises deliveries in 30 minutes or less, but will this service meet the needs of manufacturers?
What will the factories of the future look like? Energy-efficient buildings and advanced production technologies are part of the plan, but what about product design and development? For technology futurist Jordan Brandt, four manufacturing trends will change how designers do their jobs. Is your company ready for meta materials, more powerful platforms, greater personalization, and hyperconnectivity?
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