A survey by The Manufacturer magazine was conducted in July 2010, aimed at obtaining insight on how, and to what effect, Lean Thinking is being used by organisations.

The UK can be the top western economy for business investment if the government can help industry with frontline investment needs like creating certainty, keeping business costs down and developing new markets.

Manufacturers have for many years focused their efforts on implementing lean and continuous improvement projects in their factory's. This report highlights ways that manufacturers can make their sales functions as efficient as their factory floor operations through using 6 key strategies to increase competitiveness and profitability through improved customer acquisition and retention.

The adoption and utilisation of new management practices is closely linked to productivity. Yet efforts by UK managers to translate new management practices into improved performance have been both slower and less successful than some of their counterparts in France, Germany and the US.

The 2010 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index is a collaboration between Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.

Introducing 2010's much anticipated Annual Manufacturing Report (AMR). Sponsored by Barclays Corporate, the AMR 2010 reports on the findings of this year’s research in the areas of Economy, Government Policy, Finance, Purchasing, Procurement, Logistics and IT.

Today’s online business customers expect the same level of usability, personalization and functionality in a B2B site that they encounter when visiting B2C retail sites. Next-generation B2B solutions deliver automated order processes, improved information flow, expanded collaboration with channel partners, automated exchange of documents and a consistent shopping experience.

This paper, published in July 2010, presents the case for changing the focus of the UK government’s direct business support for manufacturing SMEs (small and medium-size enterprises) from ‘productivity’ to ‘growth.’

The July issue of the bi-annual Economic Report, published by manufacturers’ organisation EEF and business advisors BDO LLP, provides a detailed overview of the status of the UK economy and manufacturing sector, and their prospects for 2011. Commentary from EEF’s economists on risks to the UK and global economy, the political landscape, potential changes to exchange rates and interest rates, and foreign trade opportunities, are covered in the 16pp report.

The purchasing and management of production-critical spares is a vital function in any manufacturing business.