The World's 18 Strangest Factories

Popular Mechanics has a list of the worlds strangest factories.


The Rioglass Solar Production Plant is my favorite. See slideshow below.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/architecture/the-worlds-18-strangest-factories?click=pp#slide-1

I visited BMW World in Munich last year and I think that is one of my favorite factories to date. There is a small clip on youtube. I have linked a small clip of their factory tour below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31pD5KNCxeY

Read more »

Harvard, MIT to partner in $60 million initiative to offer free online classes to all

This is big news. I know MIT has a track record for online education but it will be interesting to see how Harvard adapts to online education. As the article mentions, Stanford has a bunch of continuing education classes offered online (not free) and I can tell you, my personal experience is that the online classes are as good or as bad as the classroom sessions. Frankly, it depends on who is teaching the course.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/cambridge/articles/2012/05/03/harvard_mit_to_partner_in_60_million_initiative_to_offer_free_online_classes_to_all/

Read more »

AutoDesk's cool new 3D printing and rapid prototyping tools

I had the previlage of attending a technology conference last month where AutoDesk CEO, Carl Bass discussed the innovations in 3D printing and advances in rapid prototyping. The discussion ranged from newer software that will create a 3D model based on actual pictures of a particular object (thus making it easier to create models, to using newer resin materials to make anatomically accurate prototypes of stents etc.)

Design and Motion has interesting coverage on the new product - AutoDesk 123D

http://designandmotion.net/autodesk/autodesk-diy-3d-prototyping-future/

Read more »

Georgia Tech and Univ of Michigan lead Industrial Engineering programs

Not much change here, atleast since the last 10 years. The Georgia Tech program is much more Engineering focussed. I would recommend the Operations Management program at CMU/MIT if you are leaning towards more of a management program. Michigan State has an excellend Supply Chain Management program.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/industrial-engineering-rankings

Read more »

Resurgence of US Manufacturing?

This is an interesting analysis presented on HBR. Some of his assumptions on productivity of the US worker seem one dimensional and simplistic but I think it is a good read.

Article..

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/09/us_manufacturing_comeback.html

Read more »

Best Places to work for Industrial Engineers

Wanted Analytics, a company collecting hiring demand data has published these statistics. Hope it will help some of you target your job search.

Article ..

http://www.wantedanalytics.com/insight/2011/04/26/hiring_demand_industrial_engineers/

Read more »

Good News: US Manufacturing Index exceeds growth forecast

Manufacturing grew in April at the fastest pace in almost a year, propelled by a pickup in orders that signaled factories will remain a source of strength for the U.S. expansion.


Article..


http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-01/ism-index-of-u-dot-s-dot-manufacturing-increased-to-54-dot-8-in-april

Read more »

Alliance For American Manufacturing pushes Washington for change

This is something that has been a slow train wreck - atleast since the last 10 years that I have been in the Bay Area and watching the trend. There is an interesting article at manufacturing news where they chronicle the disconnect. What is interesting to note is that even Execs that have a core manufacturing background will concede that the policies at the state and national level will not support a very competitive manufacturing industry.

Article..

http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/10/0630/Poll.html

Read more »

Bloom Energy expanding near NUMMI plant in Fremont,CA

Hopefully more manufacturing jobs on their way in the Bay Area. Solyndra was a real disappointment when it went belly-up.

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20513354/sunnyvale-based-bloom-energy-expands-east-coast-behind

The interesting thing about Bloom is that it seems like it has good traction with some key customers like Google, eBay, Apple etc. The key for them is to figure out a cost structure that is favourable - I have heard both ways on their value proposition. I have added a link to an interesting article on why a drop in natural gas prices helps the fuel cell value proposition.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/546321-fuelcell-energy-strong-quarter-and-a-shot-at-fuel-cell-profitability

Read more »

LEAN in Healthcare

This is an interesting trend. Infact, I know that more and more Hospitals are applying LEAN fundamentals to improve their processes and reduce cost. Watch out for this trend. Let me know your thoughts if anyone is working in this field.

This article is just one of the few posts that talks about this trend..

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/blog/lean-helps-drive-hospital-quality-and-efficiency

Read more »

HP’s press release this afternoon announcing the appointment of Stephen DeWitt as the new head of the webOS Global Business Unit was worded in a very clear way

"What they’re saying is he’s a sales and operations guy......."


Another interesting article. Although I must say that John Rubinstein is a brilliant product guy (and a fellow Cornell alum). I was fortunate enough to listen to him speak about the challenges in managing a startup at a recent Cornell Silicon Valley roundtable.


Article link here.


http://www.webosnation.com/hp-s-move-puts-rubinstein-rahul-sood-s-old-shoes-operations-guy-charge-webos

Read more »

Yes :) 'Operations Guy' Tim Cook Gets Chance to Shine at Apple

I was really excited when I heard this news (although we knew Tim was unofficially next in line) - An Ops guy leading a product design company. Obviously, this is not a trend but an acknowledgement from the Board of Directors at Apple that the company needs someone at the helm who needs to help the company execute on the deep pipeline of products that are already on the drawing board. I think it will be interesting to track if more and more design companies appoint Operations folk at the helm.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/238753/operations_guy_tim_cook_gets_chance_to_shine_at_apple.html

Read more »

I am creating this Blog as a way to allow for people in the Operations Field to discuss different career options and also share their experiences with each other on the potential trend in the Operations field.

Read more »