Management

Most manufacturers have invested in some type of technology to run their businesses, whether it's new equipment, robotics, software or business intelligence tools. Each year, Plex Systems Inc. conducts a survey that gathers insights on how manufacturers use technology to solve day-to-day challenges, as well as major industry challenges. The fourth annual State of Manufacturing Technology Report reveals that manufacturers investing in technologies that enable a connected environment are more resilient and optimistic about the challenges ahead.

Every product we use in our daily lives was once just an idea. From your smartphone to your smart speakers, it took people with the confidence and resources to take a dream of these products and turn it into a reality. Whether your goal for your product is to keep your company relevant, turn a large profit or stir up the market, you won’t succeed if you rush through the process, become lazy or cut corners. The evolution from brainstorming a new idea to bringing a product to market can seem drawn out and daunting, which is why it’s important to narrow down the steps you’ll need to take to go from product conception to manufacturing.

There’s a common misconception that the manufacturing industry is almost universally male-dominated. In many people’s minds, the industry is old fashioned, hanging on to dated gender biases and excluding women from managerial roles that are key to climbing the industry ladder, such as production supervisors and operations managers. But the fact is, manufacturers are more forward-thinking than ever before, and women now make up nearly one-third of the manufacturing industry workforce in the United States.