Imagine this – you’re working on a factory floor. Small debris is floating through the air, so as you start your shift, you reach for your safety glasses. Bad news, they’re not where they should be. You can’t start work without your glasses, so you let your manager know.
Read MoreProfitable construction projects are the result of a successful blend of labor, material and equipment management. Too often, contractors concentrate exclusively on labor or cost reduction and overlook the opportunity for improvement by implementing material management strategies.
Read MoreEfficiency on a lighting project is critical to profitability. Contractors seek ways to save time and money — particularly on labor costs — to ensure maximum profitability from every job. While lighting installations come with their own set of challenges, properly managing material can save time and ultimately increase job profitability.
Read MoreLean manufacturing is a common practice within manufacturing processes that systemically reduces waste and cost while increasing efficiency. While the primary focus of Lean is the production floor, many of the same principles extend beyond to the warehouse. For example, storage of raw materials, subcomponents and finished products is a necessary function for most businesses, however if those tasks are not properly managed they can quickly eat away at profits and compromise customer service.
Read MoreIn the days leading up to making landfall in Florida on September 10, Hurricane Irma was already making history as one of the largest, strongest, and most devastating storms ever recorded. WESCO’s Utility Group recognized that it would take an all-hands-on-deck approach for its Florida utility customers to restore power to millions of people when the storm was over.
Read MoreTake a moment and think about the supply bins you have within your warehouse or on a job site. You may have a technician periodically check your bin inventory levels. When items are running low, that technician goes into the warehouse or truck and replenishes the bin.
Read MoreImagine a cluttered storeroom with scattered parts in mismatched bins. Nothing is labeled and nothing is organized. Can you imagine how difficult it will be to find the exact part you need, let alone to find that component quickly? A possible solution to organize your facility — and cut down on SKUs — is to implement a kitting program.
Read MoreIn some industries, things are relatively stable from year to year. While manufacturing was done in much the same way for many years, emerging trends promise to change that. An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) must be resourceful and search for opportunities to stay competitive in an increasingly volatile market. While there may be challenges ahead, applying industry best practices will help any manufacturer operate at the top of their game.
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