In the field of manufacturing, a domino sequence is changing the locational needs of companies. What does this mean for decision-makers and what criteria should be used for evaluating the next wave of sites and facilities?
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Companies are fighting for survival as the era of digital disruption dawns; a robust people strategy” is one foundational element that should not be overlooked.
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As robotics continue to evolve in both agility and intelligence, the day may come when site selectors can take labor availability out of the location equation.
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Stephen Gray, President & CEO, Gray, Inc. (Q2 2017)
While the timing and details of a new corporate tax policy are still uncertain, it will change the business landscape for U.S. companies of all sizes for the better.
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It’s not surprising to see larger MSAs at the top of the list due to their economic diversity and advantages of scale. But, mid-size and small cities built upon clusters that are in high demand, and where a prime workforce exists, can also be economic powerhouses.
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Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q2 2017)
The work of economic development is a complicated mix of salesmanship, customer service, technical and legal expertise, communications, relationship-building, and a healthy dose of good fortune.
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Tom Ewing, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)
Comments in response to the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning’s request-for-information about federal permitting and regulatory challenges will identify some of the specific obstacles businesses face when trying to achieve growth.
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Larry E. Fast, Founder & President, Pathways to Manufacturing Excellence (Q2 2017)
Larry E. Fast, a 35-year veteran of the wire and cable industry and author of The 12 Principles of Manufacturing Excellence: A Lean Leader’s Guide to Achieving and Sustaining Excellence, 2nd Edition. In this interview, Fast explains how manufacturing plants can institute a strategy for excellence on the shop floor and why soft skills are as important as hard ones.
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David Hardy, Preconstruction Facilities Manager, O'Neal (Q2 2017)
Using building information modeling (BIM) during pre-construction planning now leads to lower risk and improved predictability during the actual construction phase of a facility.
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Dale D. Buss, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)
While raising the minimum wage puts more money into the pockets of low-wage workers, it also incentivizes employers to hold the line on job creation or even reduce employment.
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Beth H. Land, Vice President, Site Selection Group (Q2 2017)
As the textile industry becomes transformed by technology, companies are considering highly automated, environmentally conscious production facilities in the U.S. Southeast, where the infrastructure necessary for this industry’s success is already in place.
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Small-to-medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of the supply chain, making the parts and products that enable their larger counterparts to compete, grow and thrive. They constitute nearly 90 percent of manufacturing's contribution to the economy so it’s vital to understand and address the issues facing them.
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Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)
The automotive industry is making a significant contribution to Tennessee’s economic growth, while partnering with the state’s educational institutions in order to satisfy its need for workers with specialized skillsets.
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