Smart Manufacturing Blog

Welcome to your source for all things smart manufacturing. Whether you’re looking for expert insights, hard data, or actionable tips for your plant floor, we’ve got you covered every week of the year.

Announcement
7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing

Now Available!

Get your copy of the 7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing and hear from 300+ manufacturers in this new survey report!

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Plex Manufacturing Blog

From Reactive to Proactive: Big Data Analytics & Supply Chain Management

Plex Team February 27, 2024

Traditional supplier management consisted of spreadsheets, planner experience, and a lot of guesswork.Decisions were made based on dated, error-prone information and human analysis using spreadsheets or old standalone software.This reality forced companies into a reactive position. Because data was compiled and analyzed after events had occurred, there was little planning professionals could do…

Read More

Unbox Your Inventory Strategy

Plex Team November 29, 2022

The threat of disruption and inflation has presented supply chain management with new challenges. Unbox your inventory strategy with Plex DemandCaster. ...

Read More

Key Takeaways From the 7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report

Gerry Abbey March 16, 2022

Responding to market adversity with agility, improved processes, and technology adoption Welcome to the 2022 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, the most robust edition yet. Based on surveys from 321 manufacturers from across the globe, the results reflect general consistency in major factors impacting manufacturers....

Read More

Despite Spike in COVID-19 Cases, Global Manufacturing Production Reaches New High

Jerry Foster December 8, 2020

Although COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the world, the global manufacturing community experienced its highest jump in production levels (5% over the previous two weeks) and is now producing at a record high of 108% of pre-pandemic activity. Global manufacturing data set ...

Read More

Food and Beverage Manufacturer Shows Off Benefit of an Agile Manufacturing Process

Plex Team November 3, 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit manufacturing, it quickly became clear the companies that would succeed would be companies that could pivot on a dime. One of those companies is Plex customer Olde Thompson. Headquartered in Oxnard, California, the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of salt and pepper mills and a leading manufacturer of private label and branded dry spices and seasonings.…

Read More

Manufacturers Maintain Momentum, Make Progress on Production Losses

Jerry Foster October 29, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

Read More

Global Manufacturing Continues to Expand; Reaches 104% Pre-Pandemic Rates of Activity

Jerry Foster October 15, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

Read More

Global Manufacturing Community at 102% of Pre-Pandemic Rates of Activity

Jerry Foster October 1, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

Read More

U.S. Manufacturers Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels of Production Activity

Jerry Foster September 24, 2020

The U.S. manufacturing industry reached a significant milestone last week as manufacturers surpassed pre-COVID-19 rates of activity for the first time since the effects of the pandemic took hold in early March. Romania also exceeded its pre-pandemic rates of activity as of last week, while average activity in Europe continued to climb. China saw another week of growth as well, contributing to…

Read More

How Manufacturers Can Use Data to Build Future Resiliency

Graham Immerman September 22, 2020

In this difficult time, while some manufacturers have been forced to change strategies temporarily, others have a need to double down on what you do best. By enabling mobile workers, industrial companies are better able to ensure the safety of their workers while continuing to serve their customers. Many of our customers have been on the front lines delivering solutions during this crisis and…

Read More