Technology and globalization continue to redefine the relationship between manufacturers of complex industrial equipment and their consumers. With worldwide supply chains driving down cost, loyalty to local manufacturers and distributors has waned, even when consumers are purchasing complex, big-ticket items. High-tech innovations such as leaner manufacturing, the standardization of parts and other production elements, and new delivery methods are turning expensive sold-to-order equipment into commodities. All of this has led to a lack of differentiation between manufacturers, and it makes them struggle to add value and service to their production of complex machines to remain competitive. Continue Reading »
Posts Tagged ‘Industrial Equipment Manufacturing’
Complex Manufacturers – Improve Customer Service to Grow Your Top Line
April 17th, 2010 by Jennifer Alspach in News / No Comments
How Complex Manufacturers Reduce Lead Times and Improve Throughput to Meet Customer Expectations While Also Driving Down Costs
April 17th, 2010 by Jennifer Alspach in News / No Comments
Reduced labor and material costs in other geographies continue to chip away at the profitability and significance of local U.S. manufacturing despite the configure-to-order and engineer to-order nature of, and the high price points associated with, industrial equipment. As manufacturers are all too aware, some of the most complex heavy machinery can now be acquired faster and less expensively from a worldwide network of competitors. According to a recent Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation (IMPO) magazine interview with Randy Schwartz, Center Director and Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit Dakota Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Dakota MEP) , “The biggest challenge facing (U.S.) manufacturers is globalization. The business models that allowed manufacturing to be successful after World War II no longer hold up today. Trying to maintain competitiveness is harder than it’s ever been.” Continue Reading »
How Can Manufacturers Improve the Quoting Process to Optimize Profitability?
February 19th, 2010 by Jennifer Alspach in News / No Comments
Industrial equipment manufacturers face similar market challenges—almost all of the products that they produce are made-to-order. As manufacturers know, from cranes to elevators, from tractors to work platforms, from electrical switch gear to safety equipment, the majority of this equipment has to be specially designed and built to accommodate constantly shifting business requirements. Though customers require unique functionality, they want these complex, ever-changing machines commoditized so that they cost less and are rapidly available. Competition is fierce for manufacturers and quality is a given, so what provides a competitive edge? In other words, while speeding up the production cycle, while more effectively containing the rising costs of raw materials, and while adhering to ever-changing regulatory standards, what can better influence customer buying decisions and increase manufacturer profitability? Continue Reading »
Webinar Invitation: Optimizing the PLM-ERP Connection Delivers Real Manufacturing Value
January 22nd, 2010 by Jennifer Alspach in Events / No Comments
Thursday, February 25th
11:00am-12:00pm Eastern
The best solutions are those that deliver a value that is greater than the sum of its individual components. This is absolutely true when it comes to the advantages of using PLM + ERP in manufacturing.
“Best in class companies are 1.5 times more likely to have process that span PLM and ERP systems.”
Source: Aberdeen “Integrating the PLM Ecosystem” Continue Reading »
I.B.I.S., Inc. to Resell PTC Leading PLM Solutions to Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Clients
September 30th, 2009 by Jennifer Alspach in News / No Comments
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics AX To Drive Shortened Project Cycles, Cost Savings
Norcross, GA — September 30, 2009 — I.B.I.S., Inc., leading Gold Certified Microsoft Partner, announced today that it has joined the PTC Partner Program. This is especially significant for manufacturers who already use Microsoft Dynamics AX to run their global business processes and would like to further improve efficiencies around product development by adding complementary Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions. Continue Reading »
