The global supply chain is proving fragile. An August 2020 survey of global analysts found that ~75% of companies intend to accelerate plans to bring factories closer to customers. Most car factories take up millions of square feet and produce hundreds of thousands of units annually. Today, manufacturers are moving facilities closer to home, which presents an opportunity […]
Reshoring and localization of manufacturing Read More
Frontline workers took over the spotlight in 2020, and they’ll likely be a topic of conversation regarding the workforce and employment rates. One of the clearest realizations made in the midst of industrial transformation triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has been that global manufacturing is powered by the frontline workforce. Frontline vs. essential worker Frontline
Frontline workers – who are they and what do they do? Read More
Rapid and widespread digitalisation has changed the nature of work, and digital skills are now regarded as essential for the modern workforce. Even though, a new report by Salesforce reveals a huge gap between the current workforce and the technical skills needed to advance in the digital age. The Global Digital Skills Index surveyed 23,000 people
Digital skills gap – what is it and why you need to act! Read More
Lean manufacturing addresses one of the worst things that can happen to any enterprise: waste. To not take full advantage of all of your resources is to lose efficiencies and, in so doing, stunt production. These neglected resources include everything from manufacturing project management tools, to the skills of the staff members. The core idea
What is Lean Manufacturing? Read More
What makes a work instruction good is determined by how well your workers use it. Every step in the preceding list is geared towards making your work instructions valuable and accessible for the worker on the shop floor. Strengthening their process and knowledge leads to strengthening the whole organization. It is crucial that you pick
Who writes work instructions? Read More
If you have ever pulled your car into a garage for an oil change, the first thing the technician asks you to do is take your keys out of the ignition and put them on the dashboard. It isn’t enough to make sure the car isn’t running—before someone puts their hands near the oil pan,
What is a Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedure? Read More
Every employee has a slightly different way of doing things. Each has a different background, different experience, different depth of skill, and a slightly different work process—and that introduces variation into a company’s workflow. The larger your operation, the more variation works its way into the production line. Work instructions are key to reducing variation,
How to make good assembly line work instructions? Read More
Research has shown that accidents in the workplace happen more frequently due to errors in systems rather than people. By writing clear work instructions, companies can improve their systems and reduce the number of accidents. Improving systems starts with looking at a company’s work instructions and standardized operating procedures (SOPs). Signs your work instructions need
What are the signs your work instructions need an upgrade? Read More
REWO was selected as the Best European Upskilling Initiative of 2021 by FIT4FoF commission among 56 European projects being reviewed in the space of Industry 4.0. All the projects were evaluated in detail – from feasibility to impact. VIAR is honored that REWO was selected as the best upskilling initiative among them. The recognition validates
REWO: Best European Upskilling Initiative Read More
Manufacturers are coping with a massive wave of retirements. With over a quarter of the workforce over the age of 55, many workers are leaving their jobs with a wealth of knowledge and experience. A recent survey found that 57% of Baby Boomers have shared less than half of the knowledge needed to perform their job
How to capture hidden expert knowledge in you your company? Read More
