The Thomas Blog

The Men Behind The Maps: How Beer Cap Maps Became A Reality

Every day, more than 40,000 B2B purchase decision makers visit Thomasnet.com to source products and services and find a new supplier.

Those purchase decision makers include two engineers from Wisconsin, who recently discovered Jonco Industries, Inc, a full-service industrial supplier. Together, they created an awesome Made In America product — The Beer Cap Map — which has been a huge hit for craft beer lovers and road trippers throughout the country.

Celebrating The Independent American Manufacturer

In honor of the Fourth of July, Thomas is not only celebrating Independence Day, but also celebrating the independent American manufacturers that contribute so much to our country throughout the year.

And while there are many  of reasons to appreciate these small and mid-sized businesses, we wanted to highlight three in particular.

The American Inventions That Revolutionized Manufacturing

American inventors have had a tremendous impact on the United States and people around the world. 

The manufacturing industry has also felt the impact of these innovators who were willing to push the possibilities of their times and technologies.

Thomas took a look back at a few of the awesome American inventions that have shaped the industry.

Setting Yourself Up For Social Media Success

The world of social media has changed tremendously in the past decade. From Facebook toTwitter, these social networks were originally designed as a place for users to connect with family and friends. Now these platforms are a venue for brands to reach their users and potential customers.

There are many great ways to reach your audience through social media. Here are a few tips to ensure your strategy is on the right track.

Why You Need To Expand Your Business To New Markets

The manufacturing industry can be unpredictable. One minute you might be entering into a lucrative contract with a great new customer; the next, that customer could be going out of business — putting your own company at risk in the process.

The best way to guard against this risk is to diversify your business and expand into new markets. Here are three reasons why you should consider it in your shop:

Three Logistics Lessons Black Friday Can Teach Manufacturers And The Supply Chain

The shopping frenzy known as Black Friday is almost here. While you will probably see lots of stories about long lines and huge crowds tussling over the latest toys and electronics, there is another story taking place behind the scenes — one of careful planning, lots of moving parts, and plenty of risk. It’s a story of logistics.

Boost Your Industrial Marketing Efforts With Evaluation Driven Retargeting

Do your new customers choose you on impulse? Of course they don’t. By the time you hear from a prospect, they’ve typically gone through a significant supplier discovery and evaluation process. We understand, and that’s why we created Evaluation Driven Retargeting.

In an industry in which supplier evaluation and selection can take weeks or longer, this can be the competitive advantage you’ve been looking for.

Video: Soldiers Will Get A Boost With Exoskeletons

Soldiers are about to get a big upgrade courtesy of engineers at the U.S. Army Research Lab. The engineers are creating a DARPA-funded exoskeleton suit that will help soldiers carry heavier equipment, march longer distances and improve mental acuity. 

The suit is made of pulleys and gears that help prevent and reduce musculoskeletal injuries, which is a common occurrence for many soldiers. The suit is already making major impacts as servicemen and women have reported improved endurance and reduced stress on their joints during tests. 

Hyperloop One's First Pod Test Is A Success

The future of high-speed transportation blazed one step closer to reality last week. Hyperloop One, based in Los Angeles, just tested its pod for the first time, and the test was a big — and really fast — success.