http://forums.industryweek.com These are the Weblogs, discussion boards and forums for IndustryWeek -- Leadership in Manufacturing en Tue, 13 May 2008 14:43:36 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.industryweek.com/IWImages/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.industryweek.com http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/288372588/showthread.php Mon, 12 May 2008 01:07:36 GMT Various media outlets are reporting that China has established its own company (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/11/china-establishes-company_n_101187.html) to build jumbo jets, ultimately hoping to reduce its dependence on Boeing and Airbus for large passenger jets. When jets will start... Various media outlets are reporting that China has established its own company to build jumbo jets, ultimately hoping to reduce its dependence on Boeing and Airbus for large passenger jets.

When jets will start rolling off the assembly line remains unclear. Indeed, the company's general manager is quoted as saying, "According to the development history of Airbus and Boeing, the development and success of civil planes cannot be realized by relying on one or two generations."

China recently opened an enormous new airport terminal in Beijing. Can enormous jets be far behind? ]]> Manufacturing Talk Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1649 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1649 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/287448580/showthread.php Sat, 10 May 2008 11:37:54 GMT All automakers, foreign and domestic alike, have reason to fear over headlines like this:

Gas Prices Send Surge of Riders to Mass Transit ]]> Manufacturing Talk industrialuser http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1648 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1648 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/287404902/showthread.php Sat, 10 May 2008 08:36:22 GMT http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/02/0081908 http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/02/0081908 ]]> Non-manufacturing Topics rbrooku http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1647 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1647 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/287127318/showthread.php Fri, 09 May 2008 21:44:21 GMT While doing a search on the IndustryWeek Web site about another topic altogether, I ran across this article: Bush -- The Jack Welch of Washington? (http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=811) This article ran in 2001, less than a month into the George W. Bush Administration. The... While doing a search on the IndustryWeek Web site about another topic altogether, I ran across this article: Bush -- The Jack Welch of Washington? This article ran in 2001, less than a month into the George W. Bush Administration. The deck of the article reads: George W. Bush, America's new CEO, wants the U.S. government operating 'more like a business.'

How well does that story hold up 8 years later? Here are a few outtakes:

With Bush there's an assured command right from the top that's remindful of the determined leadership style of John F. (Jack) Welch Jr., General Electric Co.'s chairman and CEO -- although Bush so far appears kinder and gentler.

"If these guys really want to operate like a business, when they go to Congress to justify their appropriations, they will tie them to outcomes -- and they will explain . . . how they're going to measure those outcomes and report back progress against them."

Among best-managed manufacturers, clear agendas precede outcomes and performance metrics. Like the best-intentioned private-sector executive, Bush has his own clear plan. He, for example, submitted education-reform legislation on his fourth day in office, and last week announced and sent to Capitol Hill a $1.6 trillion tax-cut proposal.

And finally...

What's more, "those who advocate [running the government like a business] really mean running the government like a well-run business," reminds Rice's Whitaker. "And, as you know, not all businesses are necessarily well run."

These snippets are just that, small bites of a longer article. Go ahead and read it and tell me what you think: Does the U.S. government now run more like a business? ]]> Reader Talk-Back Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1646 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1646 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/287059700/showthread.php Fri, 09 May 2008 19:19:52 GMT A Reader Comments: Re:Brandt on Leadership -- Customer Service From Hell (http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=16165) Right ON! I just wish the right people would read this article and change something. My first job was packing bags and then as a checkout person at the... A Reader Comments:

Re:Brandt on Leadership -- Customer Service From Hell


Right ON!
I just wish the right people would read this article and change something.

My first job was packing bags and then as a checkout person at the register in a grocery store over 40 years ago. I learned a lot about customer service. I have seldom seen that kind of customer service in a long time. It has to do with attitude.

What you were experiencing was the isolation of management from the customer and management's arrogance amidst ignorance - total removal from the customer reality.

It is often said today that perception is reality. What a gross miss statement! An individual's perception is their reality, if they have a closed mind to the concept that there are absolutes and universal truths;and unless they are open to the possibility that perceptions could be false, mistaken, erroneous.

A fellow engineer once said about a manager we both reported to: "Nothing is impossible to the person who does not have to do it themselves". Think about that a moment.

I think what we need is for MBA's to experience what engineers, other professionals, and now even doctors have been going through: being managed by half informed (and sometimes half witted) people who avoid the truly important details amidst their pursuit of personal power and control.

I know: I sound pretty cynical. What I am is sadly disappointed. I have experienced instances of what the best can be and have had hopes for what we as a country and as a world community can become. I am afraid we are currently going backwards instead. Over time there will be a reversal I think. But probably not in my lifetime. ]]> Manufacturing Talk Adrienne Selko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1645 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1645 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/287059701/showthread.php Fri, 09 May 2008 19:12:06 GMT A Reader Comments: Re:How to Get the Most from an Unbalanced Production Line (http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=16257) This is a very irresponsible post/article on your website. I routinely value your information, however, upon reviewing this article multiple times, it... A Reader Comments:

Re:How to Get the Most from an Unbalanced Production Line


This is a very irresponsible post/article on your website.

I routinely value your information, however, upon reviewing this article multiple times, it appears that the writers only wanted their names "in the press" and cannot offer any solid decisions to assist manufactures.

The "simulation theory" is valid, however, it is just that -- theory.

People in the real world need conclusions to help them guide improvements and not a set of "it depends" statements.

M. Scheiman
Independence, OH ]]> Reader Talk-Back Adrienne Selko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1644 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1644 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/286514645/showthread.php Fri, 09 May 2008 01:47:32 GMT The winners of the 2008 International Engine of the Year were announced, and the winner in the Best New Engine of 2008 category is..........*BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin Turbo (123d).* Green Engine of the Year is .......*Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (PRIUS)* Multiple other awards were... The winners of the 2008 International Engine of the Year were announced, and the winner in the Best New Engine of 2008 category is..........BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin Turbo (123d).

Green Engine of the Year is .......Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (PRIUS)

Multiple other awards were announced, broken down by capacity class. You can find the full list here.

I'm surprised Honda doesn't do better in these competitions. ]]> Manufacturing Talk industrialuser http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1643 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1643 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/286098176/showthread.php Thu, 08 May 2008 13:50:30 GMT The AAM, the Alliance for American Manufacturing, which is a partnership of labor and management including the United Steelworkers and several leading U.S. manufacturers, has been diligently presenting its viewpoint during the Democratic primaries. “As the nomination battle continues, West... The AAM, the Alliance for American Manufacturing, which is a partnership of labor and management including the United Steelworkers and several leading U.S. manufacturers, has been diligently presenting its viewpoint during the Democratic primaries.

“As the nomination battle continues, West Virginia continues to lose jobs to China’s illegal trade practices. A common thread exists between Indiana and West Virginia that will likely define the coming race – workers and manufacturers in both states are feeling the harsh effects of our flawed trade policies,” said Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM).

THe AAM points out that West Virginia lost 8,400 jobs from 2001-2006 (all sectors) as a result of the U.S. trade deficit with China [source: EPI, ‘Costly Trade with China’]. The state has lost more than 17,300 manufacturing jobs since 2000.

So it's bringing its advertising campaign “China Cheats, West Virginia Loses” -- to West Virginia after having runs ads in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. To view the ad visit: http://www.americanmanufacturing.org.../china-cheats/ ]]> Adrienne Selko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1642 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1642 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/285578595/showthread.php Wed, 07 May 2008 19:12:16 GMT IndustryWeek presents "you write the caption," featuring drawings by award-winning cartoonist Jerry King. Please submit your best caption for the cartoon below. The winning caption will be featured on the IndustryWeek Web site and in the Manufacturing Buzz newsletter.

"Manufacturing Buzz" is delivered every Thursday and contains items to encourage dialogue in the manufacturing community -- in addition to the "you write the caption" cartoon contest, it also has a manufacturing poll, listings of events and IndustryWeek Webcasts, comments from you from the IndustryWeek forums, and features a thought-provoking column. Click here to begin your subscription today.



Just enter your caption choice in this thread. You will have to register for the forums before you can post. ]]> The Lighter Side Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1641 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1641 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/284634179/showthread.php Tue, 06 May 2008 12:54:21 GMT Current Poll Question:

Do you agree with NAM that the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill will double the price of natural gas and cause great harm to the manufacturing industry?

• Yes
• No
• Don't Know

Vote Now at:

http://www.industryweek.com#Poll

After you have voted, post your comments here. ]]> Quick Poll Comments Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1632 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1632 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/284193500/showthread.php Mon, 05 May 2008 20:51:01 GMT I'm discovering how difficult it can be to keep up with a blog when you're working on several different projects at once, hence the two-plus week absence.

Once things settle down a little, I hope to get back to my normal routine. In the meantime, this story was passed on to me a couple of weeks ago about Whirlpool suspending 39 workers for lying about their smoking habits.

I talked about this issue in a previous post, and it sparked (no cheesy pun intended) some lively discussion about workers' rights and privileges on the job.

So, what do you think? Has Whirpool gone too far in its attempt to monitor employees' health-related habits? ]]> Workforce In Progress Jon Katz http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1631 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1631 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/283420539/showthread.php Sun, 04 May 2008 16:56:01 GMT While my colleague Frank was catching up with the political news Sunday morning, I was catching up with Ken Levine's blog. Ken is a Hollywood script writer and apparently enjoys baseball. (His blog says he hosts a show following every Dodgers' game.)

A recent blog post had him discussing AOL's picks for the Top 50 TV comedies ever (my choice would be Barney Miller).

It got me to thinking about why so few comedies ever use manufacturing as a setting. The early days of Roseanne did, as did another show with a female comedian, although I can't recall her name. And, of course, Laverne and Shirley worked in a brewery. I also just discovered that George Lopez of the George Lopez show works at an airplace parts factory.

Still, it seems to me that manufacturing is woefulling underserved as a setting for comedies, particularly when I read the lines written by budding manufacturing comedians over on IW's forum The Lighter Side. ]]> Non-manufacturing Topics Jill Jusko http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1630 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1630 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/283392712/showthread.php Sun, 04 May 2008 16:09:15 GMT In today's airing of This Week with George Stephanopoulos there was a one hour interview with Hillary Clinton, where she was taking questions from Indiana and North Carolina voters (who are voting in the upcoming "Basketball primaries" on Tuesday.

About midway through the meeting there was a question about what could be done to address the concerns of U.S. Manufacturing -- one of the few times, other than the NAFTA flap in Ohio, that I've seen manufacturing concerns addressed.

Clinton's answer was based on 3 points (apologies for my horrible incomplete translation)

1. Remove benefits for exporting jobs
2. Renegotiate trade agreements
3. Defense mfg. contracts should only go to U.S. firms.

Then saying that there was more information on the Hillary Clinton for President Web site, though it appears that any points are more part of her general "issues" area than a specific manufacturing tab.

There was also a question about whether biofuel subsidies are causing increased food prices. Her answer there was that we needed more look at cellulosic ethanol as part of a long term solution.

To her her statements directly, ABC does podcast This Week, and it can be heard there or on iTunes.

For his part, Obama was interviewed on Meet the Press by Tim Russert and I didn't catch any manufacturing questions (clearly spending 1/2 the interview on his ex-preacher was more important).

He did ask basically the same question on biofuels and Obama also mentioned cellulosic ethanol as part of a long term solution.

Anyone else catch either of these interviews and have any reaction? ]]> Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1629 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1629 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/282869242/showthread.php Sat, 03 May 2008 17:47:03 GMT According to an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Alan Fuller, the owner of a Zap! Xebra pickup can't drive the electric car in Ohio because the 3 wheeled vehicle is actually a motorcycle.

The vehicle can't be registered as a motorcycle because it has a car seat, and not a motorcycle saddle seat.

Even if the state law on the seat were changed to allow licensing , Fuller would have to get a motorcycle license and for the first year wear a helmet when driving.

Fuller is trying to sell the vehicle to a resident of the more enlightened state of Oregon, where it can presumably be driven -- and without headgear. ]]> Manufacturing Talk Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1628 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1628 http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWCompleteForum/~3/282869243/showthread.php Sat, 03 May 2008 17:23:13 GMT According to the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, a McDonald's worker who was dismissed for faling to wash her hands is entitled to $55,000, including $25,000 for injury to her "feelings" at having to suffer this undue hardship.

They further went on to say that there was no evidence of a connection between food safety and hand-washing. Besides good old fashioned common sense, there are also a number of guidelines by the BC government on food handling which stipulate handwashing.

But I guess that didn't matter.

Next time I cross the northern border, I think I'll bring my own food.... ]]> Non-manufacturing Topics Frank Chloupek http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1627 http://forums.industryweek.com/showthread.php?t=1627