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Digitalization Tips 📬

Practical, short tips to get more out of your metal business. No big investments, just smart ideas to increase your returns. Whether it's more efficient use of your machines, motivating your team, or small process adjustments - these concise, to-the-point tips are immediately applicable. Tailored for metal fabrication entrepreneurs who want to continuously improve.

ERP is dead, long live ERP

This title might seem contradictory, but it perfectly captures a crucial shift happening in the manufacturing industry. The era when Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) reigned as the undisputed, central brain of the factory – that era is ending. The heyday of the monolithic ERP system is over. At the same time,

A Cathedral of Sustainability: Metalworking's Greater Purpose

Last week, I stood at the foot of a majestic cathedral. Overwhelmed by its beauty and size, I wondered: how did those builders stay motivated for such a long-term project? It reminded me of a well-known story in business circles. Three stonecutters were asked what they were doing. The first

Four Digitalisation Pitfalls to Avoid

Digitization of your metalworking factory, can be a great way to improve efficiency and save time and money, but if it is properly prepared and executed. However, digitization can lead to errors and wasted time if not done correctly. If it’s not done right, you’ll end up with

What is Digital Excellence in Sheet Metal?

Digital excellence is the key to escaping the commodity trap in the sheet metal industry. It's about transforming your business through technology and innovation, making you indispensable in a world where basic parts are just commodities. Digital excellence means achieving a highly automated, streamlined operation where every aspect

A-B-Z Framework for Digitalization Projects

Many companies often get stuck in planning mode, leading to a phenomenon known as "analysis paralysis", in which no action is taken. Having a long-term goal is good. But it can be overwhelming when you think about how to achieve it. There are a lot of steps to

A customer-centric design approach to digitization

One of the most important things a business owner can do is to ensure the ordering process is efficient and user-friendly. Less friction means more business. When you consider how customers design, request quotes, and place orders, you'll find that this process is often time-consuming and involves a

4 steps to improve productivity in small batches

Manufacturing industries are moving from mass production to mass custom individual production. Prices now fluctuate daily, with small batch sizes and increased product variations. Plus, administrative requirements such as certification and traceability are also increasing. The impact on the organization includes: 1. Increased pressure on work preparation and sales. 2.

Why Do You Need THAT Software for Your Metal Fabrication Business?

If a process in your metal fabrication business is faltering, the immediate response is typically to find a software to buy. The quick fix. Yet, this focus can often cause you to lose sight of the broader operational impact. For instance, when tackling the challenge of creating accurate quotes, you

The 7 Steps To A Smart Factory

Every manufacturing company goes through a series of 7 steps to achieve a smart self-driving factory. That's what I had the opportunity to talk about last week during a presentation at TUWI Next 2023. Click on the link for the replay. The 7 steps are: 1. Organize: map