White Papers
The People Side of Manufacturing
Many manufacturers find themselves stuck in an improvement rut. They send their personnel to
training programs. They apply smart methodologies such as lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.
They use information technology and implement manufacturing resource planning (MRP)
systems and quality systems. They incorporate best practices – everything operational they can
identify to do to improve the performance of their organization – and still progress comes too
slowly, is only temporary, or, worst case, is non-existent. With all this attention being paid to the process side of productivity improvements, a critical
component to which managers frequently do not pay sufficient attention is the people side of
manufacturing. This paper addresses the people side, concentrating on five specific areas in
which managers can bring about significant improvements in the functioning and productivity of
their organization. Download the white paper.
Customer Driven Strategy in Regional Manufacturing Companies
Given the growing significance of globalization, U.S. manufacturers must look beyond
productivity improvements to top line revenue growth to help their businesses continue
to thrive and flourish. Business strategies that market development and product
expansion are more critical to success than ever before. So, too, is customer-driven
strategic planning - an essential tool in enabling companies to improve their top
line revenue growth. The key findings from Catalyst Connection's performance benchmarking
survey point the way for manufacturers in our region.
Download the white paper.
NAM Says Developing Human Capital Must Be Priority
The National Association of Manufacturers’ latest study of more than 800 manufacturers
finds that the shortage of qualified employees that a vast majority of U.S. manufacturers
are experiencing is taking a negative toll on America’s ability to compete in the
global economy. The report, “2005 Skills Gap Report,” was also sponsored by the
Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte Consulting LP. More than 80 percent of the
manufacturers surveyed have experienced an overall shortage of qualified workers,
which cuts across industry sectors. What’s more, 90 percent report a moderate to
severe shortage of qualified, skilled production employees including machinists,
operators, craft workers, distributors and technicians. Sixty-five percent of those
surveyed also stated that engineers and scientists are also in short supply. Manufacturers
also reported that 46 percent of their current employees also have inadequate problem
solving skills; a third cited insufficient reading, writing and communications skills.
If manufacturers are to remain competitive, the issues of education and training
reform need to be given as much attention as other issues like trade and taxes.
To download the report, visit the NAM site.
Manufacturing Pennsylvania’s Future
In Fall 2003, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s seven industrial resource centers
(IRCs), including Catalyst Connection, commissioned a study to document the role
of manufacturing within the state. Described as the most ambitious and comprehensive
research of any state's manufacturing industries ever conducted in the U.S., “Manufacturing
Pennsylvania’s Future: Regional Strategies that Build from Current Strengths and
Address Competitive Challenges” details those findings and analyzes forces that
are shaping the industry’s future.
Download the Deloitte Report.
Technology Company Contributions to the Region
The Pittsburgh Technology Council annually compiles the latest growth numbers from
state and federal resources in order to monitor the contribution that technology
companies make to the southwestern Pennsylvania region. Download the State of the Industry Report.
Tech Formation Report
The Tech Formation Report, published by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department
of Community and Economic Development, is a status report and growth strategies
for technology-based economic development throughout the state.
Download the 2005 Tech Formation Report.
Successful Strategies for Competing in a Low-Cost Manufacturing World
This report, published by the 360vu Research & Education Foundation, focuses
on the migration of manufacturing to China and the impact on small- and mid-sized
manufacturing companies.
Download the Report Summary.
Road to 2005
Penn State's Center for Economic and Community Development issues its latest update
on the Pennsylvania economy.
Download Road to 2005.
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