Introducing bisco’s New Blog Series – What is it Wednesday?
Modern procurement teams often purchase items based only on a product number and a short description. Product expertise is left to engineers allowing buyers to focus on obtaining cost savings and ensuring on time delivery. Despite the benefits of specialization, processing basic product knowledge can often be useful for purchasers. In particular, product expertise is helpful when related products are required or when alternate products are provided. Although a buyer may not make the final decision about purchasing associated items or accepting alternates, product knowledge can help them make an informed decision about escalating to an engineer or supply chain manager.
In an effort to provide purchasing teams with foundational product information, bisco industries is launching a blog series called What is it Wednesday. Each Wednesday we will offer insight on common electronic components and hardware by providing product descriptions, common applications, and top manufacturers. To receive updates on the What is it Wednesday blog series and other news from bisco industries be sure to subscribe to our blog.
Did You Know? It’s MFG DAY!
Today marks the annual celebration of Manufacturer Day (MFG DAY). MFG DAY is meant to educate the next generation about modern manufacturing while dispelling common misconceptions. To accomplish this, manufacturers are encouraged to organize events that give people a behind the scenes look of manufacturing processes. MFG DAY 2015 features over 2300 events including facility tours of manufactures such as ABB, Boeing, Jabil, and General Atomics.
bisco industries is proud to support the manufacturing industry by offering supply chain services that allow manufacturers to focus on their core competency: manufacturing. Be sure to join us, our supply partners, and clients in celebrating MFG DAY 2015!
So Far So Good for U.S. Manufacturing in 2015
The June report from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) indicates that U.S. manufacturing industry is growing. This is encouraging news after seeing lower numbers during much of the spring. ISM’s report uses a market indicator known as PMI. A PMI greater than 50 generally indicates growth while a PMI below 50 indicates contraction. June’s PMI was 53.5%, the highest since January 2015.
U.S. Manufacturing Sees Job Growth
Other positive news in the U.S. manufacturing industry included strong job growth rising 3.8% between May and June. According to Bradley Holcomb, chair of the ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, “That’s actually the largest growth in employment since 2009, and it really does stand out and is forward looking. Manufacturers wouldn’t be adding employees unless they were confident a steady stream of new orders was coming in”.
Backlogs Shrink but Customer Inventories Rise
One negative sign for U.S. manufacturing is a shrinking backlog dropping 6.7% to 47% in June. In particular manufacturers of computer and electronic products, fabricated metal products, and machinery saw shrinking backlogs. However the reduction in manufacturing backlogs should be taken in context as the ISM report indicated rises in new orders and customer inventories as well.
To learn more view the full ISM report. Stay up to date on the latest industry trends and product news by subscribing to bisco industries’ blog.
Have you heard? It’s National Robotics Week!
National Robotics Week Highlights Advances in Robotics Technology
This week marks the 5th annual National Robotics Week. Founded to recognize and spur innovation in robotics technology, National Robotics Week is held during the second week of April each year. This year National Robotics Week will included over 250 events with universities and companies from around the country taking part. Among the events taking place this week are a Robot Block Party in Chicago, and a series of regional robotics competitions.
While National Robotics Week highlights many of the fun aspects of robotics such as the RoboGames combat competition it also displays the impact that robotics technology is having on industry. Take for example the latest robot unveiled by Boston based Rethink Robotics. Rethink’s new robot named Sawyer will join other robots in increasing efficiency in manufacturing and logistics processes. Rethink founder, Rodney Brooks, “explained that Sawyer is designed primarily for machine tending, circuit board testing, and other precise, repetitive tasks, specifically those that take place in the middle of a long assembly line of electronics products” (Source: IEEE Spectrum). Robots like Sawyer allow manufacturers cut costs and by speeding up production time while minimizing quality problems.
bisco industries is proud to be a partner in innovation for the robotics industry. We offer engineers and buyers a trusted source for the individual components that make robots like Sawyer possible. To learn more about bisco or to partner with us visit biscoind.com.
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