When you think of oil production, which countries come to mind? If you’re like many people, you may be thinking of countries throughout the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabi, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates. Would you believe, though, that one of the preeminent oil basins in the entire world is located right here in
What kind of dreams did you have when you were young? Did you think about the future and what kinds of things you’d see in your lifetime? Did you envision flying cars and robot butlers? Of course, today’s automobiles are still firmly grounded, although many of them are now electric. We do have wandering robots
Those familiar with manufacturing and the skilled trades know all about the skills gap and the challenge of hiring enough highly skilled workers to fill the hundreds of thousands of open positions throughout industry across the country. For years now, there simply haven’t been enough workers to meet growing demand. Hiring managers tasked with finding
What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you remember being asked that question as a child? What was your answer? Popular answers I remember from my own childhood included occupations like fireman, teacher, construction worker, and veterinarian. What did those occupations have in common? They do things that are easy to
Does your workplace focus on lean manufacturing principles? Even if the phrase “lean manufacturing” isn’t used around your facility, there’s a good chance its underlying principles are indeed guiding many of the processes used to increase productivity and efficiency while simultaneously reducing waste. The Association for Supply Chain Management outlines the five main principles of
When it comes to “going green,” electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be getting all the press these days. However, other alternative energy technologies—especially solar—have been around for a much longer time and might be making significant headway thanks to a recent funding announcement by the Biden administration. According to a Fact Sheet published by The
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most people weren’t familiar with the term “supply chain,” and they certainly didn’t understand the impact it has on their daily lives. Throw a worldwide health crisis into the fray, though, and soon everyone understood how critical a resilient supply chain is to ensuring that the products they need are
Whether it’s a new car or the latest smartphone, there’s nothing worse than saving up your hard-earned money for a major purchase, only to experience problems from the get-go. Sure, manufacturing defects happen from time to time for a variety of reasons, but quality problems can greatly affect any brand’s reputation if they become too
If you’re following the rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, you’ve probably noticed conflicting reports about the EV boom. Some news outlets report strong demand while others focus on the backlash from those who prefer traditional gas vehicles. So what’s the real story? According to a recent Environmental Defense Fund article,
The inflation that followed the COVID-19 pandemic hit especially hard at one particular location: the grocery store. Rising food prices made it more expensive whether you chose to eat at home or out at your favorite restaurant. The law of supply and demand doesn’t bode well for price decreases in the near future. Since we
Nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century, it’s no longer breaking news that advanced smart automation technologies continue to revolutionize industrial facilities across the country and around the world. When people think about these technologies, they often envision an army of robots lining an automated production line. While robots and other automated
