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Contract Maintenance March 1, 2018

PMI hits 14-year high in February

Index jumps to 60.8% as production, employment expands.

By Bob Vavra
Contract Maintenance September 12, 2017

Smarter service management improves customer outcomes

All companies should form solid customer relationships for success, but the field service industry faces more unique barriers to establishing a good word-of-mouth reputation.

By Mrinal Gokhale, MSI Data
Contract Maintenance May 8, 2017

The path to prescriptive maintenance

Three steps to drive reliability while preparing for IIoT.

By Will Goetz, Emerson
Contract Maintenance March 9, 2017

Top 5 mistakes made when collecting vibration data

Tom Hoenig of GTI Predictive Technology talks about the five most common mistakes maintenance professionals make when using an analyzer. These include proper mounting for accelerometer, ski slope spectrums, finding the right RPM or point location, no FMAX set and using the wrong sensor.

By GTI Predictive Technology
Contract Maintenance October 20, 2016

CMMS adoption enhances maintenance strategies

CMMS enhances maintenance strategies of all types and not enough companies have come to realize the benefits that they offer.

By Smartware Group
Contract Maintenance April 11, 2016

2016 Maintenance Study: Seven key findings

Respondents to the Plant Engineering 2016 Maintenance Study identified seven important, high-level findings impacting the manufacturing industries.

By Amanda Pelliccione
Contract Maintenance September 7, 2015

Top 5 Plant Engineering articles, August 31 to September 6: Electrical systems and IIoT, predicting equipment lifecycle, college grads salary, more

Articles about optimizing electrical systems through the IIoT. predicting equipment lifecycle, engineering pay for college grads, achieving world-class manufacturing maintenance, and Lean's relevance in today's economy were Plant Engineering’s five most-clicked articles from last week, August 31 to September 6. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
Contract Maintenance September 5, 2015

Vertical turning machine for manufacturers and subcontractors

The VL 2 vertical turning machine is a universal production that includes automatic loading and unloading for workpieces.

By EMAG LLC
Contract Maintenance July 8, 2015

10 questions to help understand efficiency problems

If Lean manufacturing is initiated with the wrong problems in mind, the problem is exacerbated rather than improved. Here are ten questions aimed at helping uncover the true source of causes.

By Shawn Casemore, AME
Contract Maintenance February 26, 2015

A beginner’s guide to lean: Lean lessons learned

Now that we have begun a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on lean lessons learned in 2014.

By Mark Doman
Contract Maintenance December 22, 2014

How to build a better capital budget for your food processing plant

When estimating your numbers for food processing projects on the horizon, don’t just base your predictions on what you did the last time around.

By Scott Mark, Stellar
Contract Maintenance November 19, 2014

Guide your talent: sustainability in 5 straight steps

An honest, realistic evaluation of skills and consistent reinforcement are the key factors

By Dirk Frame, T.A. Cook Consultants, Inc.
Contract Maintenance July 14, 2014

Cavitation by design creates value, avoids destruction

A valuable cleaning tool, cavitation must be properly used to be effective. First of two parts

By Jack Goyette, Spirax Sarco
Contract Maintenance June 4, 2014

AME Job Board looks to match professionals with opportunities

Online resource driven by increase in skilled worker need

Contract Maintenance February 10, 2014

2014 Maintenance Study: Planned maintenance leads to uptime, safety, productivity

Plants utilize multiple strategies to keep facility up and running.

By Plant Engineering
Contract Maintenance February 7, 2014

2014 Maintenance Report

Plant Engineering performed this research to better understand maintenance practices and strategies currently in place in North American manufacturing facilities and the effects of maintenance on productivity and profitability.

By Plant Engineering
Contract Maintenance January 31, 2014

Emerson opens Innovations Center to enhance collaboration

New Texas facility builds on concept of integrated operations to help align process manufacturing information.

By Bob Vavra
Contract Maintenance January 6, 2014

Companies invest in optimism, study finds

Positive rhetoric in governor’s speeches tied to more investments, hiring.

By Bob Vavra
Contract Maintenance June 19, 2013

Investing in economic efficiency

State-of-the-art specialty lubricants contribute to economic, success, or how a small investment makes the difference

By Florian Held
Contract Maintenance May 1, 2013

PMI Index: Steady, but slower manufacturing growth

Index declines for third straight month, but stays above growth threshold

By Bob Vavra, Content Manager, CFE Media
Contract Maintenance December 4, 2012

Manufacturing contracts in November, ISM reports

Economic uncertainty blunts two straight months of growth

Contract Maintenance July 16, 2012

Starbucks attacks jobs issue on two fronts

Company announces new Georgia plant investment, works with Ohio ceramics company to make mugs

By Starbucks
Contract Maintenance June 20, 2012

M2M market potential drives further consolidation

In the last three years, there have been have been numerous acquisitions in the M2M module market.

By Josh Builta, Industry Analyst, IMS Research (IHS Inc.)
Contract Maintenance June 15, 2012

PMA Business report sees a summer slump coming

Association blames global instability, lack of U.S. government action

By Source: Precision Manufacturing Association
Contract Maintenance June 15, 2012

Fast-track training program rolls out in Philadelphia

M.O.S.T. works to speed training and placement for manufacturing jobs

By Source: M.O.S.T.
Contract Maintenance May 11, 2012

ISM forecast: Spending, revenues both expected to keep climbing

Manufacturing sector to keep building on three-year winning streak, report finds.

By Institute for Supply Management
Contract Maintenance April 20, 2012

Metalforming business seen slowing, PMA report says

Metalforming companies anticipate a dip in business during the next three months, according to the April 2012 Precision Metalforming Association Business Conditions Report.

By Metalforming Association
Contract Maintenance March 15, 2012

Cisco to buy NDS, sell STB manufacturing?

Value creation in pay-TV distribution is shifting from CPE to software. Cisco is not alone in thinking this.

By Stephen Froehlich, Senior Analyst, CE Group
Contract Maintenance September 1, 2011

2011 Leader Under 40: Jason Murphy, 37

Plant Manager, Zeller Plastik

By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance July 11, 2011

Content distribution disintermediation, likely winners and losers

Disintermediation isn’t a buzzword, its very, very real. Now it has come to video content distribution. It happened to stock brokers, travel agents, and eventually Borders and other booksellers. Blockbuster has already fallen victim, but now the threat of disintermediation looms over the major over-the-top video service providers.

By IMS Research
Contract Maintenance October 16, 2009

MAPI Business outlook survey climbs off the bottom

Still in contraction, business index up 63% since June

By Bob Vavra
Contract Maintenance August 6, 2009

Executive survey: Manufacturing likely to lag when economy improves

Nearly 60 percent of manufacturing executives believe the economy will improve over the next six months, though they are slightly less optimistic about the prospects for the manufacturing sector.

By Sidney Hill
Contract Maintenance February 4, 2009

Marketing matters: Tracking & reporting tools let small businesses dig deep into data

In this economy, there’s not a company out there with marketing dollars to spare—particularly when it comes to small business. But cutting marketing hinders growth, and even leads to loss in market share or revenue. VerticalResponse says its solutions let small businesses proceed with marketing in the smartest, most precise, most cost-effective way possible while removing the guesswork.

By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff
Contract Maintenance January 13, 2009

Bob Fei named president at Life Cycle Engineering

New position will helkp continue to drive client growth

By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance January 5, 2009

“Nauseating detail”: Credit index shows widespread carnage in manufacturing, service sectors

While both the services and manufacturing indexes fell to record lows to finish out 2008, and all 20 of the collective components fell below 50 as indicated by the index,  2009 may offer signs of hope for the business landscape.

By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff
Contract Maintenance March 25, 2008

Tax-time advisory: Business services leaders help midmarket companies boost returns on R&D investments

Because manufacturers perform the bulk of private sector R&D to drive new products and process improvements, taking full advantage of the R&D credit is crucial. The fact is IRS scrutiny of this tax incentive has risen in recent years. As tax time comes to a close, RSM McGladrey and Axiom Solutions are offering tax credit services that some companies can take advantage of now. 

By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff
Contract Maintenance August 10, 2007

Manufacturing survey indicates industry confidence on the rise

The National Association of Manufacturers/Industry Week business outlook survey for the second quarter of 2007 points to confidence edging up from both large and small companies after declining during the prior four quarters.

By Staff
Contract Maintenance August 9, 2007

NAM outlook: Overall industry confidence rising

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)/Industry Week business outlook survey for Q2 2007 points to confidence edging up from both large and small companies, after declining during the prior four quarters.

By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff
Contract Maintenance June 1, 2007

Current conditions EBCI slides in May, but six-month outlook improves

The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index for current North American conditions slipped to 38.6 in the latest month, down from 62 in April, its highest level in a year. However, evidence suggests that the present deterioration in conditions may be short-lived, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

By Staff
Contract Maintenance January 13, 2006

Hulit named Fluke president

Barbara B. Hulit has been named president of Fluke Corporation, with responsibility for the Fluke Industrial and Fluke Precision Measurement businesses. Hulit comes to Fluke from The Boston Consulting Group, where she was a vice president and director with responsibility for the firm’s packaged goods sector.As president of Fluke, Hulit will report to Jim Lico, executive vice president for Danaher Corporation, the parent company of Fluke. “Barbara’s experience, business acumen and keen insight will be invaluable as Fluke continues to strengthen its traditional business and expand into new markets,” said Lico.“While at BCG, Barbara has had a long and productive relationship with Danaher and has been an effective business partner in helping drive Danaher’s growth in new market opportunities.Barbara has partnered with many of our senior leaders in strategy and business development, as well as having played an active role in developing our Danaher Business Systems (DBS) Growth Tools initiatives.” Over the past seven years, Hulit has worked extensively with Fluke and was instrumental in the identification of the company’s new indoor air quality and thermography businesses.At BCG, she helped grow the global packaged goods sector by roughly 20% annually, leveraging her expertise in uncovering and driving new business opportunities.Her background also includes senior positions in sales and marketing for Noxell Corporation, Frito Lay and Marketing Corporation of America.Hulit holds an MBA from the KelloggSchool at NorthwesternUniversity and a BA in Marketing from the University of Texas-Austin.

By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance December 7, 2005

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By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance November 29, 2005

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By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance November 1, 2005

Study: Metalforming business steady

Metalforming companies are forecasting little change in near-term business conditions, according to the October 1 Precision Metalforming Association Business Conditions Report. When asked what they expect the trend in general economic activity to be over the next three months, the response from metalforming companies in October, 26% of participants reported that business conditions will improve...

By Staff
Contract Maintenance December 10, 2003

Measuring overall craft effectiveness

This is the final part of a three-part series. Part 2 appeared in the November issue, p 31. World-class overall craft effectiveness is still being defined, since the concept of OCE is rather new. There are a limited number of case studies outside the real-world experiences of Maintenance Excellence Institute staff and alliance members.

By Ralph W. "Pete" Peters
Contract Maintenance December 15, 2002

Contract maintenance update

Every plant outsources some maintenance services. It frankly doesn't make sense — financial or otherwise — to try to do everything yourself. But when we talk about contract maintenance, we're talking about a long-term commitment to have nonemployees take over substantial responsibilities for normal maintenance operations, perhaps even all of them.

By Richard L. Dunn, Editor, Plant Engineering
Contract Maintenance November 11, 2002

Contact Us – 2002-11-11

We welcome your comments! Please check the department you want to receive your comment. Then provide your name and e-mail address and use the box below to write your comments. Thank you. Send e-mail to: (choose one) Department: For comments regarding: at this e-mail address: E-Letters Problem with e-letter registration or e-mail newsletters eletters@reedbusiness.com Yellow Pages Updates to company information gp@reedbusiness.com Registration Problem with your site registration, logging in or your password registration@reedbusiness.com Suggestions How can we improve our Web site? manufacturing@reedbusiness.com Subscription Problem with your subscription to a print magazine subsmail@reedbusiness.com Technical Problem with parts of the site being down or downloading manufacturing@reedbusiness.com Name: E-Mail Address: Comments:.

By Plant Engineering Staff
Contract Maintenance December 1, 2000

Outsourcing maintenance: How it can improve the bottom line

In a global economy, there is no question that companies must continually improve to remain competitive. When a company is in financial danger-and even when it is not-internal analysts look for opportunities to minimize expenditures.

By Bruce Caspersen, Performance Center Manager, Siemens Westinghouse Technical Servicesa business of Siemens Energy Automation, Alpharetta, GA
Contract Maintenance March 1, 1999

Vendor selection

There are a number of questions you should ask yourself before entering into an outsourcing contract.

By Staff
Contract Maintenance January 1, 1999

NAPM reports show that business activity slowed in November

The monthly surveys that the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM) compiles for both the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors of the economy suggest that fourth-quarter 1998 GDP growth was considerably lower than the third quarter's 3.9% rate. Preliminary figures on total economic activity in last year's final three months will be released on January 29th. The NAPM's nonmanufacturing index of business activity slipped to a level of 53 in November -- a full six points lower than in September. And the closely-watched NAPM manufacturing index dropped to a much weaker 46.8 in November.

By Staff
Contract Maintenance March 1, 1998

Economic growth during 1997 hits a 9-yr high

Real GDP is estimated to have increased at a solid 4.3% annual rate during the October-December period of last year. This preliminary estimate from the Commerce Dept. was just the latest in a long string of better-than average reports on U.S.

By Staff

A Letter From The Editor

Since 1947, plant engineers, plant managers, maintenance supervisors and manufacturing leaders have turned to Plant Engineering for the information they needed to run their plants smarter, safer, faster and better. Plant Engineering's editors stay on top of the latest trends in manufacturing at every corner of the plant floor. The major content areas include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automation engineering and maintenance and management.

Amara Rozgus - Plant Engineering