Why stronger systems—not demands—improve manufacturing performance Many manufacturers say the same thing when performance starts slipping: “We need more accountability.” But according to Beth Aldana, Operational Excellence Services Leader at WMEP, accountability isn’t something you can simply demand from people. “Accountability is really an outcome of everything else in the system,” Beth explains. “You can’t […]
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Why most AI projects fail before they begin and how manufacturers can get it right Manufacturers are feeling the pressure to act on AI. The conversation is everywhere—from the shop floor to the leadership team—and many manufacturers are asking, “Where do we start?”. According to Sanjay Mohan, Executive Director of AI Strategy with the MKE […]
Read More… from Where Do We Start with AI? Start with the Business Problem—Not the Technology
For many manufacturers, the fastest way to improve quality, throughput, and safety isn’t a new machine—it’s stronger supervisors. Learn how Training within Industry can rapidly upskill your workforce. […]
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Why the upcoming revision is the perfect reason to strengthen your system for real results A new version of ISO 9001 is expected in Q3 2026—and it’s the perfect opportunity for manufacturers to step back and tune their systems for better performance. “This update gives companies a reason to step back and ask, ‘Is our […]
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Practical tools to solve problems, reduce waste, and regain control in any manufacturing environment Manufacturers today face rising costs, labor shortages, and disruptions that can make every day feel like a fire drill. If you’re constantly reacting—or dealing with the same issues day after day—it’s time for a different approach. Beth Aldana, WMEP’s Operational Excellence […]
Read More… from Still Fighting the Same Problems on the Shop Floor? Lean Offers a Way Out
Practical guidance for creating a quality system that works in practice, not just on paper New customers, new markets, stronger process discipline—there are good reasons manufacturers pursue ISO 9001 certification. But as WMEP Senior Consultant Barry Messer explains, success doesn’t come from copying someone else’s binder or chasing clauses word-for-word. “If you’re going to do […]
A Practical Path to GFSI Certification for Small and Mid-Size Food Manufacturers For many food manufacturers, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) requirements show up as a customer demand or a regulator’s directive. The need is clear; the path is not. Peg Dorn, WMEP Consultant and food safety expert, says the biggest advantage of doing it […]
Reducing Changeover Time Reveals Hidden Capacity and Drives Productivity with the Equipment You Already Have For many manufacturers, the fastest path to higher throughput isn’t buying another machine or expanding the facility—it’s improving how they run the machines they already have. As WMEP Consultant Jay Jochman explains, “Most Wisconsin manufacturers run a wide variety of […]
Read More… from You May Not Need Another Machine—You May Need Better Changeovers