TWS Partners’ Post

How can we ensure the growth and competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers in today's fast-paced world? Discover how EWI's Shift 2.0 [Manufacturing Innovation Program] empowers these crucial players in the supply chain with education and innovative technology implementation in this article by EWI President & CEO Henry Cialone. https://ow.ly/9lGg50S4FWp #InnovativeManufacturing #SupplyChain #AmericanManufacturers

We are delighted to announce the publication of our paper, co-authored by my esteemed colleague Hilal Erkus, titled "Automotive Global Production Networks in Peripheral Locations: Convergent-Divergence Patterns of Institutionalisation" in the European Journal of International Management. You can access the paper here: https://lnkd.in/dxRCJJkS. This study provides new insights into the role of state-owned lead firms from the USA, Japan, and Europe in shaping the governance of local production networks in peripheral regions. Focusing on the Turkish automotive sector, the paper highlights the multipolar nature of governance in these networks and reveals a unique convergence-divergence pattern of institutionalisation. More specifically, rather than describing a traditional Turkish buyer-supplier relationship style of institutional governance in the automotive sector, this study shows how the Turkish automotive industry takes a pluralistic and symbolic stance within a society of institutional interaction. The comparative institutional analysis of the Turkish automotive sector presented here uncovers a variety of formal and informal institutional interactions within the governance of the local supply chain. Overall, this study reveals how informal institutions shape the performance of formal institutions in GPNs of the Turkish automotive sector, and hence contributes to bridging of international business studies and the fledgling field of comparative political economy. 

1066 Manufacturers: September Meeting Highlights 🏭📊 We're excited to share the highlights from our recent September meeting, which Marshall-Tufflex graciously hosted. A big thank you to them for their hospitality! 🙏 We had the pleasure of welcoming two distinguished guests: - German Terrazas - Shiven Shrivastva German and Shiven are with the University of Cambridge and support the government-funded Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH). ⭐ Exploring Digital Transformation Opportunities ⭐ Our attendees gained valuable insights into: - Various levels of free support available through SMDH - Ways to digitise business activities - Opportunities to enhance manufacturing processes We're thrilled to report that most of our members plan to use these resources to drive innovation and efficiency in their operations. This collaboration with SMDH opens up exciting possibilities for our members to stay at the forefront of smart manufacturing. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts on our local manufacturing community. Stay tuned for more updates on how 1066 Manufacturers is embracing the future of manufacturing! 💡🚀 Marshall-Tufflex Ltd #SmartManufacturing #DigitalTransformation #1066Manufacturers #SMDH #InnovationInManufacturing

🔑 Unlocking the Benefits of Local Supply Chains 🔑 Yesterday CME Ontario hosted webinar for Ontario Made's Manufacturing Day. Our founder, Ray Minato, shared some insights on why local supply chains matter more than ever. After 20+ years of managing complex local and global supply chains, Ray highlighted the hidden advantages that local suppliers can offer. Here are some key takeaways: 1️⃣ Beyond Visible Costs – It’s not just about unit cost. Ray emphasized the importance of understanding the total cost of acquisition (TCA), including hidden costs like supplier management, inventory holding, and quality control. 2️⃣ Local = Agility – With local suppliers, you can reduce lead times, control the supply chain more effectively, and minimize risks like currency fluctuations and geopolitical instability. 3️⃣ Sustainability Wins – A local approach can lower your transportation costs and environmental impact, making sustainability a core part of your strategy. 4️⃣ Stronger Supplier Relationships – Ray reminded us that great supplier relationships go beyond price negotiations. Building trust and collaborating early leads to innovation, better quality, and mutual growth. 5️⃣ Risk Reduction – Local supply chains can mitigate risks associated with global disruptions, making your business more resilient in uncertain times. 🚀⚡ At Inertia, these aren’t just talking points. For over two decades, we’ve been manufacturing products with an eye toward balancing cost, innovation, and scalablity. Whether managing local or global supply chains, we know how to leverage relationships to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. https://lnkd.in/e5qMtnQ2 #SupplyChainExcellence #LocalManufacturing #TotalCostOfAcquisition #SupplierRelationships #Sustainability #InertiaPD #ManufacturingInnovation #OntarioMade

It was an incredible opportunity to share insights on the importance of local supply chains and engage with other thought leaders who are shaping the future of Ontario Made manufacturing. The discussions were both insightful and forward-looking. Thank you Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters for having me keynote. Missed the live event? Catch the highlights below! 👇 #OntarioMade #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #LocalEconomy

⏰ Save the date for a free Supply Chain 101 webinar series available to all Pennsylvania manufacturers! This four-session series will take place on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon starting on May 8 and will culminate on May 29. NEPIRC's Philadelphia-based sister center, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC), is offering this Supply Chain 101 training webinar series to all manufacturers in Pennsylvania at no cost through a grant provided by the federal government. This is an exceptional opportunity since DVIRC's standard pricing for this program is typically $1,200 per company. This course will provide participants with a high-level knowledge base of and the "must have" processes for successful execution of inventory and supply chain management. Participants will learn the components that come into play and understand how to link them to their company's strategic, operating and tactical plans. The course will incorporate examples of how real businesses have applied these processes. Participants will also learn methods of sales and capacity management, inventory planning and supplier scouting and screening techniques to meet customer expectations and financial obligations. To learn more about this opportunity and register, please visit https://bit.ly/3IXUYA2. #NEPIRC #mepnationalnetwork #PADCED #manufacturing #manufacturingindustry #manufacturingtraining #supplierscouting

Listening to the recording of the final day speeches, and I am confused. Despite being dedicated to INDUSTRY 5.0 not a single time INDUSTRY 5.0 origin and principles has been named correctly. One expert after another lacks the knowledge. European Commission Luxotica Services World Manufacturing Foundation and many others. The entire recording will be listed in the next INDUSTRY 5.0 NEWSLETTER rated "N" INDUSTRY 5.0 AMBASSADORS NETWORK Industry 5.0 INDUSTRY 5.0 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

Excerpts from the Montreal Conference… I am delighted to share that my research article titled: “A Model for Integrating Distributed Product Development Requirements with Product Portfolio Planning” which was presented at the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2024 in Montreal, Canada was selected for the IISE Society for Engineering and Management Systems (SEMS) best paper award. The paper emphasizes the need to integrate supply chain decisions with product portfolio planning, and also presents a decision-support tool which product development managers can deploy to assess various product portfolio options in a distributed product development environment. Special thanks to the award sponsors "Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc." and "Sparc Engineers" for supporting this award. #SupplyChainManagement #NewProductDevelopment #ProductPortfolioPlanning #DistributedProductDevelopment

This week we saw 700 students, academics and practitioners, come together from around the world to "Reimagine Contracts for Evolving Supply Chains" at our Academic Symposium. Our most popular session? Designing Contracts that Drive Supply Chain Performance and Information Flow ✏️📄 If you missed out, read our latest blog for key insights on the importance of contract design in driving supply chain resilience, performance, and innovation - https://lnkd.in/e94KdYQV #supplychain #contracts #contractdesign #academicresearch

#2 KPI STEERING, ALIGNMENT, SCALABILITY ... or what is in a name...   So challenges and the handling of the same seems to be recurrent. In the early 90s the homo oeconomicus life cicle and its impact on the quality of management came into the focus of public discussion. Not for the first time (later and former versions of the same have taken place in quite neat 20 year intervals) but the title of one of the most discussed books on the subject at this time has become a standard expression in Germany:  "Nieten in Nadelstreifen"(Losers in Pinstripes) by Günter Ogger published in 1992. It is about the impact of power concentration and its consequences for the economy, companies, individuals and the quality of management, pointing out the role of methods cum tools cum ideas in creating a nebula of efficient action in challenging times.   At that time a number of sarcastic definitions for management methods and styles became popular and have maybe not lost all their actuality. My personal best is "Management by Champignon". If you enjoy a bitter-sweet read (unfortunately only in German), here we go:  https://lnkd.in/dTUxWXg6   Scrolling after searching opens up even more perspectives...