 Keith's
Travel Calendar
|
|
|
Category: Packaging Industry
Will industry accept manufacturing skill standards?
August 31, 2012
Today the Governor's office in my home state issued a report on the status of manufacturing in Pennsylvania along with a series of specific recommendations for encouraging growth in manufacturing. As has been discussed many times in this blog, the report confirmed: "the most pressing problem now and for the near-term is finding people with the education and skills to fill the high-quality manufacturing positions currently available"; and "Of equal...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Will industry accept manufacturing skill standards?"
Purposeful packaging deception
June 20, 2012
Every now and then I come across a package that impresses me one way or the other and I need to comment on it. That happened recently when my wife brought home a cake in a package designed and implemented purposefully to deceive....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Purposeful packaging deception"
A broader view of manufacturing
May 30, 2012
I've spent almost 40 years in and around manufacturing. One thing that is becoming increasingly apparent to me is that manufacturing is viewed by many individuals and institutions in a narrow and too homogeneous way. Manufacturing is complex, requiring many differing skills, technologies, strategies and approaches. Too often, when we speak of manufacturing, we speak of only one small segment and then extrapolate experience from that segment to manufacturing as...
There's More. Click to continue reading "A broader view of manufacturing"
Get-cha vs. Got-cha Culture
December 5, 2011
In your day to day relationships, do you or your organization operate with a culture driven by a get-cha or got-cha attitude? It can make a tremendous difference in your success and effectiveness....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Get-cha vs. Got-cha Culture"
How to develop a culture of safety in your plant
June 29, 2011
Safety is often listed as the top priority of plant managers. That said, not much more gets said. How does one implement a safety culture? Attendees at the 2011 Packaging Automation Forum sponsored by Packaging World and Automation World obtained some insite into that question. Here are some of the learnings from PAF as interpreted by yours truly....
There's More. Click to continue reading "How to develop a culture of safety in your plant"
On keeping manufacturing local
May 20, 2011
As Bill Buxton, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, was autographing my copy of his book Sketching User Experiences, we had the opportunity to discuss how to keep manufacturing thriving locally. According to Bill, the key is to remember that process design will always trump product design....
There's More. Click to continue reading "On keeping manufacturing local"
On keeping manufacturing local
May 20, 2011
As Bill Buxton, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, was autographing my copy of his book Sketching User Experiences, we had the opportunity to discuss how to keep manufacturing thriving locally. According to Bill, the key is to remember that process design will always trump product design....
There's More. Click to continue reading "On keeping manufacturing local"
PackML World Tour Continues
March 31, 2011
The PackML World Tour is an initiative of the OMAC Packaging Workgroup in cooperation with the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute to explain the real business benefits of adopting PackML. Unlike past initiatives where consumer goods companies' engineers tried to sell the benefits of PackML, this time the executives of packaging machinery companies are speaking out in an effort to drive industry-wide adoption....
There's More. Click to continue reading "PackML World Tour Continues"
Nestlé views on OMAC Packaging Workgroup- An Interview with Dr. Bryan Griffen
February 14, 2011
On February 9th, I had the opportunity to interview incoming co-chair of the OMAC Packaging Workgroup, Dr. Bryan Griffen, Engineering and Automation Group Manager with the Nestlé Product Technology Center Orbe. Bryan discussed his group's role at Nestlé, why Nestlé is committing to OMAC, how he expects OMAC deliverables to benefit their businesses around the world, and what his goals are for the coming year....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Nestlé views on OMAC Packaging Workgroup- An Interview with Dr. Bryan Griffen"
Govenment officials warn of cyber attacks
February 11, 2011
Two days after my post on cyber security and end users' need to take an architected approach to the automation and control systems, the Los Angeles Times reported on how concerned US intelligence officials are about cyber attacks on the US....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Govenment officials warn of cyber attacks"
ARC World Industry Forum points to the need for packaging machinery standards
February 8, 2011
The opening session of ARC's World Industry Forum on driving innovation, sustainability and performance provided insights into the issues that are or will be affecting packagers and packaging machinery suppliers, even though the word packaging was never actually used. The session's presenters represented ARC and the oil and chemical industries, but these industries frequently deal with issues a few years in advance of the rest of manufacturing....
There's More. Click to continue reading "ARC World Industry Forum points to the need for packaging machinery standards"
Implications for packaging as US manufacturing rebounds
January 22, 2011
Manufacturing output, productivity, capital investment and jobs are all on the rise as the US creeps out of recession according to this week's Wall St. Journal. As worldwide demand for goods increases, especially in Asia, some US manufacturers are once again investing in capacity in the US and using their overseas capacity to fill overseas demand. With suitable government support, cooperation between labor and management and a return to teaching...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Implications for packaging as US manufacturing rebounds"
Documentation - the MOST important tool
December 17, 2010
An effective industrial maintenance program for packaging, or any other advanced manufacturing operation, depends upon three things: workers with well-developed technical skills; workers with job-specific knowledge and experience; and complete and adequate documentation. It has become of concern to me that, just as we are facing a severe a lack of both skills and experience, I am now hearing that more and more corporations are losing control over the one...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Documentation - the MOST important tool"
Mechatronics at PackExpo
October 29, 2010
PMMI has been hard at work creating their new mechatronics certificate program, the next phase of which is being rolled out at PackExpo. Be sure to stop by the PMMI U booth to take a "demo" test and learn more about the certificate program. Visit the education pavilion and speak with the colleges that are offering the training and education that will prepare your workforce for our multi-skilled world....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Mechatronics at PackExpo"
5S - Unintended Consequences
October 22, 2010
I've heard that application of the 5S methodology is having some unintended consequences in the area of maintenance. Is this possibly a miss-application of the process or are there some roads that 5S will lead you down that were not intended?...
There's More. Click to continue reading "5S - Unintended Consequences"
Another important concept - Integrated Robotics
September 30, 2010
For some time I've mentioned the term integrated robotics in my posts. As time has passed, I've learned that not everyone interprets this term in the same way. I see integrated robotics as a significant advancement in the design of machinery, so I think it worth some further discussion....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Another important concept - Integrated Robotics"
Good times ahead for packaging machinery
July 30, 2010
As more and more companies report increased earnings along with disappointing sales, this says to me that good times are ahead for packaging machinery companies and others who facilitate automation. Why? Because the only way to increase earnings on weak sales is through gains in productivity. These hard times are providing proof positive that there is another wave of productivity gains that can be achieved even by those who were...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Good times ahead for packaging machinery"
PMMI Launches Mechatronics Certificate Program
June 30, 2010
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) has launched their certificate program in mechatronics. The first test in the series of certificates is now avaiiable to be taken online. This test covers the principles and applications of basic industrial electricity and electronics as they relate to packaging machinery and systems. This is the first of a planned twenty one tests for certificates covering packaging-oriented mechatronics skills required for industrial maintenance, design,...
There's More. Click to continue reading "PMMI Launches Mechatronics Certificate Program"
All this talk about sustainable packaging machinery - Are we being honest?
May 25, 2010
One of the world's packaging guru's asked my opinion this month on whether sustainability is now a factor and if it will become more so in packaging machinery evaluation and selection. By the time I had finished my response, I decided that I had something to share with my readers, although many may disagree with my conclusion. I think that all of this talk about sustainable packaging machinery is being...
There's More. Click to continue reading "All this talk about sustainable packaging machinery - Are we being honest?"
We must get beyond healthcare
March 24, 2010
The healthcare debate in the US has lasted for months. Despite the signing of a bill, it is unlikely that it is over. My observations are that the uncertainty created by the endless debate is a huge drag on the economic recovery, especially as it involves small businesses like packaging machinery companies. If the economy is to recover, businesses need a stable environment in which to work. They don't have...
There's More. Click to continue reading "We must get beyond healthcare"
PackML continues to gain ground
February 26, 2010
I am sitting in the 8:30 AM OMAC session at the ARC Forum with a group of 35 packagers, machine builders and technology providers who share an interest in OMAC's PackML standard. Rob Aleksa of P&G is reviewing the business value of PackML for packaging lines and is about to review the recently published application guide for ISA TR088.05....
There's More. Click to continue reading "PackML continues to gain ground"
PMMI and OMAC Packaging Workgroup should start dating
February 9, 2010
OMAC's brief marriage to ISA's Automation Federation is over. The divorce settlement is worked out and soon to be finalized. OMAC will be single again, and as an independent organization, will spend the coming months evaluating its future and may start dating again. My suggestion is for the OMAC Packaging Workgroup to seriously date PMMI....
There's More. Click to continue reading "PMMI and OMAC Packaging Workgroup should start dating"
Create a Culture of Security
February 9, 2010
The Department of Homeland Security is one of the newest groups to be featured on the agenda of ARC's World Industry Forum being held in Orlando. One track of the forum is dedicated to cyber security, a name that I think needs to be changed because it tends to convey to many of us that we needn't be involved. How many of us are invloved in cyber? Well, in reality,...
Create a Culture of Security
February 9, 2010
The Department of Homeland Security is one of the newest groups to be featured on the agenda of ARC's World Industry Forum being held in Orlando. One track of the forum is dedicated to cyber security, a name that I think needs to be changed because it tends to convey to many of us that we needn't be involved. How many of us are invloved in cyber? Well, in reality,...
Mechatronic Solutions for OEM's and Training for Users
January 29, 2010
This isn't a tweet, but I am on the train returning from a visit to Festo, the sponsor of OnTheEdgeBlog. I must admit that I didn't know to much about Festo beyond their pneumatic components, and readers may be in a similar situation, so without getting too commercial, allow me to share a few observations. If you want to learn more, check out one of the links in the left-hand...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Mechatronic Solutions for OEM's and Training for Users"
Some Packages are Just Wrong
January 25, 2010
I've complained before about the difficulty of using certain packages and about the reasons that packagers or retailers choose to use consumer-unfriendly packaging. But a package that held one of my wife's Christmas gifts is beyond frustrating. It is ethically wrong....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Some Packages are Just Wrong"
Politics and Business: a Bad Mix
January 25, 2010
We've seen of late an unprecedented mingling of business and politics that most would agree has been bad for both. The success of Kraft and the failure of Hershey to execute a successful bid for Cadbury is another case of where business and politics met with poor results. The politics in this case is local and Pennsylvania state politics that resulted in the failed acquisition of Hershey by Wrigley in...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Politics and Business: a Bad Mix"
It's a New Year - What sort of customer will you be?
December 18, 2009
It's late December, and when the Christmas rush is over, our thoughts may turn to resolutions for the new year. I have a suggestionthat you might want to consider. Resolve to become a better customer....
There's More. Click to continue reading "It's a New Year - What sort of customer will you be?"
Try Sailing as a World-Class Customer Service Benchmark
November 20, 2009
Whether we are a packager or a supplier to packagers, we must from time to time ask ourself if we are receiving or providing world-class customer service. But what do we compare it to? Our auto dealer, our big-box store, our favorite internet site? Let me suggest the sailing equipment industry as a benchmark....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Try Sailing as a World-Class Customer Service Benchmark"
US continues to fall behind in manufacturing technology
October 30, 2009
Events of the last month point to the United States' continued decline in advanced manufacturing technology relative to other regions. At some point this disturbing trend will become irreversible. We may be approaching that point of no return....
There's More. Click to continue reading "US continues to fall behind in manufacturing technology"
Sustainability replaces innovation at PackExpo
October 24, 2009
I was underwhelmed by the number of innovative machine applications at PackExpo. A colleague with the same observation expressed it succinctly: it was all about sustainability. The emphasis on green and sustainable is being driven by political correctness. Technological innovation, not political correctness, is necessary to sustain our industry. Let's not allow this to become yet another distraction that allows our international competitors to increase their competitive advantage....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Sustainability replaces innovation at PackExpo"
What I'm expecting at PackExpo
September 29, 2009
It's time for many of us to be off to this year's PackExpo in Las Vegas. I'm sure that many exhibitors are concerned about the payback from a trade show in this economy and many end users are fretting about not attending due to travel restrictions. But perhaps this will be an opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. Here's what I expect....
There's More. Click to continue reading "What I'm expecting at PackExpo"
The debate about civility- updated
September 25, 2009
One of my regular blog readers, a high-school librarian, suggested to me some time ago that I should comment on the subject of civility. At first, I didn't see the relevance to packaging, but the more I thought about it, the more clearly I recognized some linkage. As we enter more deeply into the healthcare debate here in the United States, the discussions on civility (or the lack thereof) have...
There's More. Click to continue reading "The debate about civility- updated"
Breaking News - US Department of Labor Recognizes Importance of Mechatronics for the Economy
August 31, 2009
This week the US Department of Labor acknowledged the importance of mechatronics to the packaging industry and to the US economy by publishing a hybrid-industry, packaging-oriented mechatronics competency model on the Career One Stop website. The Mechatronics Competency Model is one of only fourteen featured by the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration in the Competency Model Clearinghouse. This compentency model may be used by industry, government and education...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Breaking News - US Department of Labor Recognizes Importance of Mechatronics for the Economy"
Just what is a Green Job?
June 30, 2009
The president has promised to produce 5 million of them. Congress passed an act about them. States are lining up for funding to support them. Educators are creating classes about them. What is this new phenomenon? It is Green Jobs! But what is a green job, and is it really anything new?...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Just what is a Green Job?"
Higher wages: one solution to cheap labor
June 29, 2009
We often hear about cheap overseas labor destroying the US manufacturing base. The response of threatened manufacturers is often to pull in, cut spending and try to beat the foreign competition at their own game by squeezing labor costs. But, you can't save your way to prosperity. A better solution might be to reinvest in people and advanced technology....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Higher wages: one solution to cheap labor"
OEE - Still a blur on the radar screen
May 29, 2009
Among the key performance indicators (KPI's) that grocery manufacturing executives think are most important, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is number four on the list after quality, cost and safety. Yet compared to the first three, there is little understanding of how to implement the OEE measurement. I believe this is yet another indication of the suits and the geeks failing to communicate....
There's More. Click to continue reading "OEE - Still a blur on the radar screen"
The importance of geek leadership
April 30, 2009
Lack of geek leadership is crushing American business. The inability of "suits" to relate to and motivate geeks denies business of needed innovation. The lack of will by geeks to hone skills to exercise leadership stifles careers and further erodes geek influence on business. If you are a packager, packaging machine builder or converter, you need geeks and geek leadership to drive your business into the future. Geeks and suits...
There's More. Click to continue reading "The importance of geek leadership"
Retailers may have outsmarted themselves
April 22, 2009
If you attended PMMI's Operations Conference a few weeks ago in Tampa, you heard Dan Mack of Mack Elevation Forum describe Winning in the New Normal. The new normal includes retailers being more strategic and deliberate about what goes on their shelves. That sounds like a worthy cause, but given recent experience in my family, I think that big retail may have outsmarted itself....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Retailers may have outsmarted themselves"
Business intelligence from a down economy
March 31, 2009
Every situation in life presents opportunity. Sometimes it's just hard to figure out what the opportunity is. One of the opportunities of the present downturn in the economy is for packaging machine builders and technology providers to gain some intelligence about future business opportunities and pitfalls....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Business intelligence from a down economy"
Sustainability - Engineering for the rest of us
February 26, 2009
I've been wrestling for quite some time with the concept of sustainability. Given the comments of many of my colleagues who attended a recent conference on manufacturing and packaging sustainability, I am not alone. But, I think that I've figured out why some of us are finding this so difficult....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Sustainability - Engineering for the rest of us"
ARC reports packaging a bright spot in a dim economy
February 3, 2009
The ARC Strategy Forum being held in Orlando has in its first hour pointed out some positive indicators in which the packaging industry can find optimism....
There's More. Click to continue reading "ARC reports packaging a bright spot in a dim economy"
Senator Specter addresses issues of interest to packagers
January 26, 2009
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania responded to questions of interest to the packaging industry presented to him by yours truly and others at a town hall meeting held on January 26th at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. The outcome of the Employee Free Choice Act and government support of technology education will be important to many packagers and their suppliers. Senator Specter will have a significant role in the...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Senator Specter addresses issues of interest to packagers"
A Merger of Equals?
December 29, 2008
Today the London Daily Mail announced that Cadbury has struck a deal with Asahi to purchase the last of Cadbury's berverage businesses. This leaves Cadbury as strictly a chocolate, confectionery and gum company, just like Hershey. Is it now time for the merger of equals?...
There's More. Click to continue reading "A Merger of Equals?"
Is anyone measuring packaging machine sales per capita?
November 11, 2008
I've always been a believer in managing by metrics. Is anyone looking at packaging machinery sales dollars per capita in a particular region of the world? If not, I think they should be....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Is anyone measuring packaging machine sales per capita?"
Recession may drive investment in higher technology machines
October 27, 2008
As we continue into what is most likely a global recession, I am sure that many are concerned about the impact on sales of packaged goods, packaging materials and packaging machinery. No doubt there will be a quantitative reduction in sales of many products, but in addition, there will be a qualitative shift in what is being purchased. Those able to capitalize on that shift, will be best able to...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Recession may drive investment in higher technology machines"
Packaging education shifting emphasis
October 20, 2008
Packaging education is undergoing a change, with more attention being given to the machines and the underlying technologies that support them. A rapidly expanding emphasis on mechatronics is causing schools and organizations to add, modify and rename programs. Expect to see new players, new programs and some significant educational announcements at PackExpo 2008....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Packaging education shifting emphasis"
Scouting PackExpo 2008
September 18, 2008
It will soon be time to jet off to Chicago for this year's installment of PackExpo. One hopes that every show of this size brings something new or exciting to the industry. This year's PackExpo should be no exception. Here are some things that I plan to be scouting for....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Scouting PackExpo 2008"
More trends from Interpack - Globalization, Consolidation & Customer Intimacy
July 21, 2008
They say that sometimes we miss the forest by looking at the trees. If you didn't spend all of your time at Interpack looking at the machines, you could step back and see some evolution in the industry as a whole. I've attended Interpack many times, mostly as an end user, then as a trade group organizer, and now with press credentials. Each way of attending opens up a new...
There's More. Click to continue reading "More trends from Interpack - Globalization, Consolidation & Customer Intimacy"
Chinese manufacturing excellence: why we should be nervous
July 1, 2008
Our mature Western societies just aren't scared enough yet about the threat to our standard of living as the result of a rapidly developing China. If we really understood China's potential impact, we would be embarked upon crash programs of education, infrastructure building and revitalization of our manufacturing base....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Chinese manufacturing excellence: why we should be nervous"
Robots at Interpack: Cars to nuts, and purpose-built too!
June 22, 2008
What was the most significant trend at Interpack 2008? Many would agree that it was the ubiquitousness of robotics. The halls of the Duesseldorf messe contained hundreds of robotic arms. The smallest item I saw handled by a robot was a single almond and the largest was an entire automobile. But the big news is the number of purpose-built arms that have been implemented by the European packaging machine industry....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Robots at Interpack: Cars to nuts, and purpose-built too!"
Can you stop China from copying patented packaging machinery?
June 16, 2008
Interpack has often had its intellectual property intrigue and this year is no different. Ishida, the statistical scale company, obtained injunctions against nine Chinese entities that prevented them from displaying their statistical scales at the fair. The dispute involves a patent related to the waterproof construction of the equipment. In a press release that I read in Ishida's booth, three Chinese companies had been named, Highdream, Jinyi and Saimo, but...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Can you stop China from copying patented packaging machinery?"
Mars Cadbury Timing a Coincidence?
April 29, 2008
I never much cared for probability and statistics, but does it seem too coincidental to anyone that the Mars / Wrigley deal was announced at the beginning of the same week in which Cadbury finalizes the separation of their drinks and confectionery businesses? Could it be that this timing is in some way meant to disrupt plans that may involve Hershey and Cadbury? And another coincidence: the last time Hershey...
Does packaging get sufficient respect?
April 22, 2008
Does packaging get the respect that it deserves? Some say no, but the tide seems to be turning. The message at the recent Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum was somewhat mixed. Some quipped that packaging was treated as an afterthought. It wasn't planned for, and wasn't put on the critical path of activities for their company. Yet others had a much more positive message. Perhaps this indicates that packaging is turning a...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Does packaging get sufficient respect?"
Will they discuss science or just religion?
April 22, 2008
In December I suggested that we needed a presidential debate on innovation. Last week the democratic candidates Obama and Clinton did participate in a discussion on religion. Held not far from my home in Pennsylvania, this event has for a time occupied not only the national but also my local news. In contrast, a very thoughtful discussion on the promise of science and the role that it should play in...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Will they discuss science or just religion?"
It's time to do Interpack
March 31, 2008
It's soon time for Interpack, and many of us will be heading for Dusseldorf where we will be obliged to leave behind a huge quantity of our under-valued dollars. But Interpack is not something you'll want to miss, so I have ten suggestions on how to do it and not have it do you. Perhaps these suggestions can make Interpack a more valuable experience....
There's More. Click to continue reading "It's time to do Interpack"
A national skill standard for packaging technicians?
February 1, 2008
Do we need a national skill standard for packaging machinery technicians? There is a growing chorus of people who think that we do. Other industries have skill standards, accredited certificate programs and accredited educational programs at the high school, community college and university levels. But to my knowledge, no such standard exists in the USA for packaging machinery technicians....
There's More. Click to continue reading "A national skill standard for packaging technicians?"
Is green packaging low-fat?
January 14, 2008
We are hearing more and more about green packaging strategies. We see books, conferences, press releases, new materials, and new processes all claiming greenness. This harkens back to another time when we saw all of these same developments focused on low-fat....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Is green packaging low-fat?"
Let's have a presidential debate on innovation!
December 17, 2007
Could we have a national discussion on innovation? I don't think that I can stand 11 more months of harping on the same old topics by the US presidential candidates. If they want to talk about something constructive - something that will have long term political, social and economic impact for our nation and our children - let's turn the discussion to the imperative for more innovation....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Let's have a presidential debate on innovation!"
Wins for the packaging industry
November 14, 2007
Positive signs of support for the packaging industry have been evident during the past quarter from educators, government and the private sector. A stream of small (and not-so-small) wins bodes well for the industry. Consider these events:...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Wins for the packaging industry"
Packaging not the top issue at Hershey
November 12, 2007
I promised myself that I wouldn't blog about The Hershey Company, but this week's news is just too incredible to ignore. For full disclosure, I retired from the predecessor Hershey Foods Corporation 5 ½ years ago after 28 years of service. I've never seen anything like the last 2 months – anywhere! Things are not sweet in Chocolatetown!...
There's More. Click to continue reading "Packaging not the top issue at Hershey"
It's Showtime! But why do we care?
October 21, 2007
It's October- the month for all kinds of exhibits and shows. So far this month I have attended the world's largest in-water sailboat show, the world's largest antique automobile show, and a very sizeable Pack Expo Las Vegas show. These experiences, stacked back to back, have me thinking about why I attend shows. I can categorize the reasons into four areas. Curiosity -The need to be educated Projects -The occasional...
There's More. Click to continue reading "It's Showtime! But why do we care?"
It's 2007: Do you know where your drawings are?
September 24, 2007
There may be one piece of intellectual capital that packagers value less than their aging workforce (see Packagers undervalue intellectual captial) and that is their equipment documentation. Lack of good documentation is one of the greatest contributors to poor productivity in American manufacturing. All too often, management finds it easier to point fingers at their employees for lack of skills rather than pointing at themselves for lack of a coherent...
There's More. Click to continue reading "It's 2007: Do you know where your drawings are?"
It's not your father's packaging machinery company - or is it?
August 27, 2007
The look of a packaging machinery company is changing. Where once they resembled machine shops, some now resemble IT departments. I first became aware of this about 5 years ago on a tour of some Italian packaging machinery companies, some of whom neither made parts nor assembled machines. Their businesses were built upon the core skills of 3-D modeling, design and software development. This same trend is catching on around...
There's More. Click to continue reading "It's not your father's packaging machinery company - or is it?"
Packagers undervalue intellectual capital
July 30, 2007
The way that some packaging companies treat their aging workforce, you could easily conclude that management places little or no value on the knowledge that their employees posses. These companies are undervaluing and casting off their greatest asset- an experienced and skilled workforce....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Packagers undervalue intellectual capital"
Huge potential exists for packaging automation
July 22, 2007
Recently, I have had occasion to visit a variety of packaging plants the likes of which I never saw in my first career of 28 years. I had no idea that there were US packagers that were throwing so much labor at their operations. Even 30 years ago, I didn't see these labor levels in the industry segments in which I was involved....
There's More. Click to continue reading "Huge potential exists for packaging automation"
The hidden packaging economy
May 30, 2007
Let's do a little experiment. Ask yourself the following questions? Can I name 2 of the top 3 North American automobile companies? Can I name 2 of the top 3 North American metals companies? Can I name 2 of the top 3 North American petro-chemical companies? Can I name 2 of the top 3 North American packagers? Can I name 2 of the top 3 North American packaging machinery?...
There's More. Click to continue reading "The hidden packaging economy"
|
 |
| About Keith Campbell |
| Leaders learn from the past while
looking to the future - and bring both to bear on the here
and now. This is the philosophy that has steered Keith Campbell's
30+ years in manufacturing. It has worked for him in operations,
maintenance, engineering, R&D, education, consulting and
professional organizations--and now he's putting it to work
for you--taking you to the edge of his thoughts on packaging
operations. |
|
