2024 Innovation Issue: Robotic welding system boosts Smoker Craft’s production
The company has received attention for its system and last month earned the Conexus Indiana Manufacturing Innovation Award at TechPoint’s 2024 Mira Awards gala.
Manufacturers
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2024 Innovation Issue: ‘Progressive improvement’ leads to customer smiles
TWI Institute, a consulting firm for manufacturers, describes continuous improvement as the “act of taking an established process, breaking it down to its component parts, building it back up using only the essential parts and committing to making incremental improvements over time.”
2024 Innovation Issue: State grant program spurs Industry 4.0 investments
A total of 526 grants worth a combined $56.9 million have been awarded so far to companies and organizations in 79 counties. In 2023, $20 million was granted to 161 projects in 50 counties. See how the money has been distributed.
2024 Innovation Issue: Wearable devices promise improved safety, productivity
But the devices—whether they’re used in the industrial setting or for personal reasons like health and fitness—can also raise concerns as well as questions about data privacy.
2024 Innovation Issue: On-demand production allows companies to respond quickly to customer needs
Striving for efficiency drives the on-demand philosophies of Mach Medical, Homefield Apparel and 80/20 Inc., even if the companies have little else in common.
2024 Innovation Issue: The path to Industry 4.0
Numerous groups are working to advance both technology adoption and related workforce development in Indiana’s manufacturing industry, especially among the small companies that represent the bulk of Indiana’s manufacturers.
2024 Innovation Issue: How automation can be a lifesaver
Lilly plans to outfit its Lebanon plants—now under construction—with the latest in robotic, digital manufacturing equipment that will do much of the work that a generation ago was done by humans.
Subaru to stop production of Legacy model
The Legacy, which was designed for the American market, became the first Subaru manufactured in the United States when the Japanese company began production at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1989.
Made in Indiana: Hiker Trailer Custom camping trailers
Hiker Trailer launched about 10 years ago through a partnership that included an owner who manufactured and sold trailers in Indianapolis and another who manufactured and sold them in Colorado.
Lesley Weidenbener: Instructional videos are key to Sailrite’s success
Today, customers can buy everything they need—the fabrics, hardware and tools—from Sailrite to complete projects in the videos. And in the process of making the projects, the staff gets insight on how those materials and tools could work better.
Made in Indiana: Decorative glass by Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co.
Kokomo Opalescent glass can be seen worldwide, including at the Vatican; the Chicago Cultural Center; Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana House in Springfield, Illinois; Disney World and Disneyland; The White House; Yellowstone National Park; Washington, D.C., Metro; and DreamWorks Studios.
Cummins posts quarterly loss but full-year profit
Cummins posted a rare quarterly loss in the fourth quarter, which was largely due to a previously announced $2 billion environmental settlement. The settlement also reduced the manufacturer’s full-year profit for 2023.
Indiana-based Haynes International to be acquired for $970M
The 112-year-old manufacturer, which is one of the largest public companies in the state, has agreed to be acquired by North American Stainless in Ghent, Kentucky.
Prisoners are part of hidden U.S. workforce linked to popular food brands
In a sweeping two-year investigation, The Associated Press found goods linked to prisoners wind up in the supply chains of everything from Frosted Flakes cereal and Ball Park hot dogs to Gold Medal flour and Coca-Cola.
FAA probes potential flaws in Boeing’s manufacturing process
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it is launching an investigation into whether aerospace giant Boeing followed rules to ensure the aircraft that it built were safe for operation.
Big Detroit auto show abandons September date and will move back to its roots in January
The next North American International Auto Show is now scheduled for Jan. 10 through Jan. 20 next year, organizers said Thursday.
Engine maker Cummins must repair 600,000 Ram trucks in $2B emissions cheating settlement
The repair only involves software updates. Cummins has already started the recall and repair program required by the settlement.
Drugmakers delay in-demand medicines to evade Biden’s new pricing rules
Firms that normally try to sell drugs as soon as possible are suspending clinical trials and shifting timelines, while patient groups are demanding change.
Made in Indiana: Foamnasium blocks by Foamcraft Inc.
The company’s customers were almost exclusively local until the 2019 holiday season, when a new Foamnasium product, Blocksy, became a hit on social media.
Ascent, Crosstrek, Legacy and Outback models by Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive is the only Subaru manufacturing facility outside Japan, and it accounts for about half of all Subaru vehicles sold in North America.