Manufacturing TipsProduction planning How to Calculate Capacity Utilization: A Manufacturer’s Guide Measuring how much of your production capability you’re using is critical. Use too little, and you’re wasting resources. Push too close to the limit, and you risk failure and loss. Tracking capacity utilization helps you discover the sweet spot in your operation. By Steve Maurer, IME 19 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning Manufacturing Workforce Management Guide for Small Businesses The manufacturing sector is in a constant staffing crisis. Efficient manufacturing workforce management, however, can help mitigate problems arising from worker shortages. By Madis Kuuse 7 min read
Production planning Top 15 Production Planning KPIs for Small Manufacturers Production planning connects all the activities required to ensure timely and high-quality production outputs. Measuring the performance of these activities helps small manufacturers improve operational efficiency and ensure profitability. By Mattias Turovski 20 min read
InventoryProduction planning First Expired, First Out: What Is FEFO and How Do You Manage It? Every year, manufacturers lose millions to expired inventory that could have been prevented with better rotation practices. When products have expiration dates, the traditional “first in, first out” approach isn’t enough. You need a system that prioritizes shelf life over arrival order. That entails using the FEFO method of inventory management. By Steve Maurer, IME 14 min read
Production planning Manufacturing Forecasting Guide for SMEs Next to forecasting customer demand, aligning production capacity with anticipated sales is the stuff of manufacturing forecasting. In this blog post, we go over production forecasting essentials, look at how to implement a forecasting system, and see the role manufacturing software can play in ensuring that the shop floor is aligned with forecasted sales numbers. By Mattias Turovski 20 min read
Production planning Capacity Planning: 10 Essential Steps for Manufacturers When demand spikes, some manufacturers end up scrambling—paying overtime costs and missing deadlines. Others handle the surge without breaking a sweat. The difference is capacity planning, which is really just matching what you can actually produce with what customers are asking for. It’s simpler than what most people think. By Steve Maurer, IME 18 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning What Is BOM Version Control? BOM version control is the process of managing and tracking changes made to a bill of materials. It is essential for ensuring smooth operations in environments where the BOM is continuously updated. By Madis Kuuse 7 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning The Small CPG Brand’s Guide to Co-Manufacturing and Co-Packing For many growing CPG brands, outsourcing is the key to scaling up without investing in massive facilities or specialized equipment. While co-manufacturers and co-packers facilitate growth, they also introduce new challenges. By Madis Kuuse 6 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning Production Reporting Guide for Manufacturing SMBs For small manufacturers, having a clear understanding of what’s happening on the shop floor is paramount to meeting production goals. Efficient production reporting is an essential aspect of manufacturing, ensuring a clear view of operations. By Mattias Turovski 12 min read