Columns

Over the last three decades, most manufacturers have been heavily focused on operational performance and supply-chain integration. By Rafe VanDenBerg

As promised during last year’s Presidential campaign, the start of the Obama administration has seen aggressive action on climate change policy. More is yet to come. What does this mean for manufacturers? By David B. Weinberg

Manufacturing and supply chain managers are under pressure to reduce costs in the face of lower sales volume. At the same time, they are expected to plan for new sustainability initiatives, which are being driven both by the rising tide of consumer awareness and more recently, by legislation that has been proposed in Congress and the White House. By Alan Kosansky and Ted Schaefer

As much as you might love your business, you cannot run it forever. When it’s time to pass on your legacy, one of the first questions to ask is, to whom will you sell? By Stella Y. Su

We are in a serious economic crisis, no doubt about it. The brief reprieve of the spring has given way to a late summer of renewed doubts about the future. Lynn B. Davidson

In an economic environment like our present one, it used to be that concern for the climate registered last on the list of executives’ worries. By Miriam Finder

People can be a company’s most valuable asset, particularly long-term key employees. Being able to depend on these individuals to maintain company operations, including sales, production and administration, is essential for profitability. By J. Michael Rudd

Like most industries, manufacturers are facing tough economic times, making it difficult to maintain traditional employee benefits such as health insurance and 401(k) matching contributions. By T. Marie Demko

When KPMG’s Global Enterprise Institute surveyed U.S. middle market companies in late 2007, it found that 58 percent of all businesses surveyed planned to increase their global presence over the next five years, and one-third planned to maintain their current global presence. By Mona Pearl

The growth in green marketing is getting a lot of attention these days, especially from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal agency tasked with preventing unfair and deceptive trade practices. By Lynn L. Bergeson

There is a lot more to valuing a business than the numbers on the financial statement. To understand the value of a business, you must ask questions and dig for answers. By Patrick F. McNally

Lifelong learning helps us recognize the fact that workers do not learn only during their formative years through traditional schooling. By Tom Camarda

Investigations under the U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty laws are aimed at determining whether a particular product imported from a given country is being sold at prices lower than the cost of production, or whether the prices are influenced by foreign government subsidization. By Timothy C. Brightbill and Maureen E. Thorson

As the cost of power rises, manufacturers should work harder at becoming more energy-efficient. By Staci Davidson

Is it possible to grow a business despite the current economic crisis? Yes, the opportunities are there, but it’s necessary to ask the right questions to find them. By Lynn B. Davidson

For mistake to become an effective learning experience, it is important for manufacturers to take steps to solve the problem and create an environment that encourages employees to learn from the inevitable mishap. By Scott Wood

Creating an effective competitive advantage is an essential component of any corporate strategy and is critical for success in today's dynamic global environment. By Mona Pearl

The United States might want to consider how our rivals in Asia have succeeded as they have employed national investment strategies that provide competitive tax policies, increased investment in research and development, and preferential policies for science and technology personnel. By Peter R. Gourlay

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed on Sept. 30, 2009, to align the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). By Lynn L. Bergeson