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Getting ready for and managing an on-site visit by OSHA
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEmployers subject to an on-site inspection by OSHA or one of the state agencies that regulate workplace safety and health should take preventive steps to prepare for such an inspection and have a plan for handling it and any follow-up that may be necessary. This article outlines best practices for getting ready for and managing such an inspection.
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How emerging technologies are affecting food and beverage
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageThe food and beverage industry is witnessing a paradigm shift. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are changing the way food is processed and transferred as well as the way consumers shop. The most impact these new capabilities have had is on the manufacturing side of things. Manufacturing in the food and beverage sector is a continuous and labyrinthine process that cannot afford snags or stops during production. AI and IoT will help to cut down on losses and downtime.
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How can controls, automation, and instrumentation help with integration…
Joseph Zulick ManufacturingAs advances in technology make it more cost-effective to deploy the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), industries will need to acquire a strategic approach to integrating new sensor data with pre-existing data environments. Now more than ever, industries are seeking simple integrations with controls, automation, and data analytics visualization software to harness the power of IIoT and realize attractive operational and competitive benefits for their business. IIoT can unite people and systems on the plant floor with those at the enterprise level and enable users to get the most value from their automated systems while reducing technological and economic limitations.
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An ill wind blows: Hurricanes and supply chains don’t mix
Delany Martinez Distribution & WarehousingNatural disasters are a huge headache for man-made systems — in addition to disrupting services like water and power on a residential level, they can also bring supply chains to a screeching halt. From flash flooding to outright facility damage, hurricane-proofing your supply chain is a challenge, but one well worth tackling. While you can't predict when and where a hurricane will completely shut down 3PL availability and reach, you can commit to frequent monitoring and communication throughout the storm.
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The last mile: Logistics’ final frontier meets gig culture
Delany Martinez Distribution & WarehousingLogistics and supply chains are excellent models of efficiency, moving huge cargo containers of everything imaginable across cities, countries, and even oceans with unimaginable speed. They have a very unusual Achilles' heel, however: Main Street, USA. The so-called "last mile" conundrum has stumped otherwise perfectly tuned systems, confronting them with routes and infrastructure that simply aren't designed to handle the demands of frequent shipments.
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FMCSA passes rule for veterans to waive commercial learner’s permit,…
Miranda Y. Brumbaugh Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityFor veterans who have military experience in commercial truck and vehicle operation, it seems natural to want to apply these skills to a civilian career. Yet to transition from a military truck driving job to a commercial truck driver has historically not been simple. Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is changing that for military veterans. The FMCSA has recently passed the Military Licensing and State Commercial Driver’s License Reciprocity rule. Find out what this rule means for military veterans.
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Can controversial coal be shipped from old military bases?
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalIt’s no secret that the current presidential administration favors dirtier forms of energy, like coal production. About one year ago, at the U.N. Global Climate Summit in Bonn, Germany, many countries expressed a commitment to end coal-generated carbon emissions by 2030. This did not include the U.S., whose top leaders remain committed to the coal industry. Now, President Trump has announced a new plan to use decommissioned U.S. military facilities for controversial coal shipments. Is this even possible?
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How new US tariffs will affect big business and consumers
Dr. Samantha Bietsch Civil & GovernmentWe have heard a lot recently about the new U.S. tariffs on imported goods and services and how they will affect American business. While some in business favor the new tariffs, others do not. Some of these opinions are based on facts; others are not. Although improving the domestic economy sounds like a great idea, increasing tariffs on U.S. imports does not come without retaliation from other nations. Just as Americans buy foreign products, other nations buy American-made products and crops.
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As Amazon raises minimum wage, not everything is good news for its workers
Michelle R. Matisons RetailAs more pressure mounts to raise the federal minimum wage to a $15 living wage, Amazon announced on Oct. 2 that its lowest paid workers will make $15 per hour. However, Amazon’s much-scrutinized workplace practices leave people scratching their heads about its influence and long-term goals. On one hand, the embrace of the Fight for $15 goal is lauded. But the company remains embroiled in controversies like high-pressure work cultures for its white-collar employees and surveillance-style tracking of its warehouse workers.
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What to know about distributing your products in North America
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesNorth America, and the United States in particular, is one of the largest markets for selling just about everything, particularly home furnishing products. And while the rewards can be great, the cost of entry is also great. The problem is directly related to the size of both the U.S. and Canada, as well as the diversity within each country in terms of regions and their buying needs. If you are a manufacturer considering entering the marketplace, there are a few considerations to know. Additionally, this article is going to focus on the modes of distribution in the design trade community.
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