As our nation contends with waste and its environmental impacts, the business community, especially those who are part of Industry 4.0 here in Michigan, is stepping up and doing its part to promote circularity, a model through which we’re finding effective ways of recycling and reusing products again and again. This week on the blog, Don DeMallie of Great Lakes Rubber Company shares his thoughts on how circularity will translate into long-term success and returns on investment for Industry 4.0 businesses, while promoting a cleaner environment for generations to come.

For the first blog post of 2021, we are joined by William Crane, CEO of IndustryStar, who will share how proven Lean methods pared with a practical digitization framework and focused collaborative productivity Supply Execution Systems software stands to empower your team to drive supply performance in the days ahead.

As we return to our workspaces many of us are quickly realizing that the functionality of conference and huddle rooms may no longer be up to par given the new reliance on virtual collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx and other video conferencing software. The need to create effective spaces, whether enclosed or open, to support video calls with remote participants is essential today. This week on the blog, Megan Robinson of NBS Commercial Interiors brings us three ideas to retrofit your current meeting spaces to get individuals and teams up and running for virtual conference calls.

There’s no way to sugarcoat this – these past six months have been the toughest for workers and employers since the Great Recession. We’re in Q4 of a year that for most of us presented unforeseen challenges and setbacks. Whatever ambitious goals your business may have had for 2020, they most likely went out the window some time in Q2. This week on the blog, Jack Van Tiem of Kelly discusses effective talent strategies to position your company for a more successful 2021 and set your business apart from competitors.

With 2021 on the horizon, a new year brings with it new levels of disruption and change. This week on the blog, Mike Szudarek of Marx Layne & Company shares with us some key trends that businesses in Industry 4.0 should anticipate and prepare to adopt in the coming year.

In 1901 Ransom E. Olds set up the first automobile manufacturing plant in Lansing, Michigan. Two years later, Henry Ford launched the Ford Motor Company, which would soon build the Model-T. Although Olds utilized conveyor systems in his first plant, the revolutionary development that enabled the mass production of vehicles did not come until 1913 when the modern assembly line was introduced at the Highland Park Ford plant. Now, 119 years later, we are witnessing significant manufacturing developments unfold in the Detroit region. Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director at MICHauto and Vice President of Automotive and Mobility Initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber, brings us this week’s blog post focused on the current mobility transformation and the major technology advancements in the areas of connected, automated, electrified, and shared

The accounting industry looks a lot different these days than it did 10 years ago. From shifts towards data-driven strategy to the implementation of new technological tools, the profession has rapidly evolved. It seems like there are always changes on the horizon when it comes to the world of accounting and finance. Ben Smith of Clayton & McKervey joins us on the blog with four trends they are tracking right now and what they mean for your business.

While the seismic economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and related shutdowns sent shockwaves through the economy this past spring, the true long-term effects of a sustained and ongoing slowdown remain to be seen. The good news is that retailers have adapted relatively quickly to these challenging new circumstances. Upgrading online ordering, delivery and pickup options has made it easier for customers to shop safely and confidently. What does that landscape look like here in Detroit? Ron Goldstone with NAI Farbman joins us on the blog to weigh in on the state of retail in Metro Detroit.

Automation Alley’s global Industry 4.0 conference, Integr8, is back for 2020, and this year’s virtual experience is shaping up to be a must-attend event for those seeking guidance as they navigating the complexities associated with digital transformation. This year’s event, scheduled for Nov. 9 and 10, is expected to draw hundreds of participants from around the globe for two days of immersive content related to the smart and connected technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Whether you’re interested in learning about artificial intelligence and data analytics, the impact of 5G, machine automation, how to secure your factory from cyber threats, or preparing your workforce for the jobs of tomorrow, Integr8 has something for you. Here are eight reasons you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.

A new workforce is emerging, and with it, a new way of working. As new employees enter the field, and others retire, a knowledge gap develops between these generations. Anticipating and preparing for potential interruptions to your production is crucial, and finding the means to capture and instill essential manufacturing skills and critical expertise is at the forefront of many companies’ goals. The effective transfer of knowledge to new employees, and cross-training existing employees, has become essential to maintain productivity, efficiency and innovation, and increase agility and adaptability. This week on the blog, Csaba Szabo, Executive Director of Business Development and Global Partnerships at SRI International, shares how to use AI to capture and transfer manufacturing knowledge.