Manufacturing TipsProduction planning 8 Manufacturing Challenges and How SMEs Can Overcome Them in 2026 In 2026, SMEs in the manufacturing industry are facing pressure from several directions at once. Rising costs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and scheduling issues can each create problems on their own. But they rarely stay isolated. That’s why overcoming manufacturing challenges starts with understanding how closely they’re connected. By Steve Maurer, IME 14 min read
Manufacturing Tips Manufacturing Cost Reduction – A Practical Guide For Small Manufacturers Managing costs is the crucial other end of maintaining profitability, alongside a proper pricing strategy. In this guide, we provide a practical overview of reducing manufacturing costs. We cover the main types of manufacturing costs (materials, labor, overhead), outline ways to reduce them, and explain how going lean can support cost control. By Shane Dubbelman 15 min read
Manufacturing Tips Manufacturing Change Management Guide for SMEs The real challenge in manufacturing is implementing change in a way that people adopt while the manufacturing process, quality control, and delivery stay on track. This guide gives managers a practical process for rolling out change, monitoring results, and making the new method stick. By Steve Maurer, IME 23 min read
Manufacturing Tips SOPs in Manufacturing – A Full Guide to Achieving Consistency Consistency is key in manufacturing, and that’s where properly crafted SOPs earn their keep. When you do the same thing the same way, you get predictable results. When results drift, an SOP gives you a baseline for troubleshooting. After writing hundreds of SOPs over a 36+ year career in manufacturing, here’s what I’ve learned. By Steve Maurer, IME 19 min read
Manufacturing Tips 5 Ways Budget-Friendly Software Helps Small Shops Win More Business Being able to quickly respond to customer demand, inquiries, and requirements is a surefire way to win more business. Here are five ways modern manufacturing ERP software helps you do it. By Madis Kuuse 7 min read
InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain Inventory Tracking – An Essential Guide Inventory tracking means monitoring stock movements to increase visibility in the company’s supply chain. This added transparency helps businesses improve their ordering and overall inventory management practices, ensure traceability, and make sure that items are exactly where you need them, when you need them. By Madis Kuuse 11 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planningSupply Chain Push System vs. Pull System in Manufacturing Profitable manufacturing depends on having the right parts and finished goods available when needed—without excess inventory tying up cash. While most manufacturers rely on push or pull systems, there’s a third approach that can often deliver better results. By Steve Maurer, IME 17 min read
Manufacturing Tips Agile Manufacturing: A Practical Guide for Small Manufacturers If you’re a small or mid-sized manufacturer, adopting an agile approach can help you respond to changing customer requirements and fast-moving markets. In this article, you’ll learn what agile manufacturing is, whether it’s a good fit for your business, and how to put it into practice. By Shane Dubbelman 16 min read
InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain The Bullwhip Effect – How Does It Affect Your Supply Chain and Profits? It started as a study on baby diaper consumer demand variability by Procter & Gamble in the 1960s and was quickly adapted into a role-play simulation by the MIT Sloan School of Management called “The Beer Game.” But the bullwhip effect’s impact on manufacturers and supply chain management is anything but fun and games. By Steve Maurer, IME 16 min read