The Thomas Blog

American Toy Manufacturers Who Make The Holidays Possible

This time of year, elves tend to get a lot of credit for making holiday wishes come true. But the truth is, the real magic isn't happening in the North Pole; it's happening at real manufacturing workshops all throughout the country.

Here are some of the many American manufacturers that help produce the toys — and the joys — this holiday season.

How To Create An Online Product Catalog

Digitized information offers vast flexibility for both you and the customer. When deployed correctly, digital information can make the most complex product searches simpler and more efficient. Here’s how the most successful companies sell complex industrial parts: 

1. By leveraging a well-organized online product catalog 
2. Through technology-configured complex products
3. Providing information in the necessary formats for different users. i.e. BIM and CAD files 

By focusing on these three aspects of online selling, manufacturers can create a simpler buying process for even the most complex industrial components.

Internet of Things (IoT) In The Supply Chain: 3 Challenges

Everywhere you look today, it seems as though the Internet of Things is becoming an increasingly prominent part of our everyday lives. However, there are a few challenges which are preventing the supply chain from taking full advantage of the technology. 

5 Things Manufacturers Can Improve On This Holiday Season

Between gearing up for the year-end at work and getting ready for celebrations at home, the holidays can be an especially stressful time for manufacturers.

That's why many manufacturers find themselves wishing for the same things this time of year –presents that could make the season, and the entire year, a little brighter and a whole lot easier.

3 Industrial Marketing Ideas That Grow Your Business

8 Books Every Salesperson Should Read

It doesn’t matter if your sales team is converting leads at a record rate or struggling to meet quotas — there’s always room for improvement. People at every level of your team from directors and managers to consultants and representatives can benefit from new insight and perspective.

There are so many great resources available for sales folks these days: webinars, podcasts, eBooks, white papers, and conferences (click here for those resources!) but I’ve gained so much knowledge by reading plain old books. Take a look at some of my favorites below:  

Manufacturing Gift Guide: STEM, Tech & Engineering Toys

The holiday season is in full swing, and so is the rush to buy the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Unfortunately, we can’t help you track down that intentionally hard-to-find retro gaming system or the ridiculously overpriced squishy toys that makes no logical sense whatsoever. However, if your list includes aspiring scientists, teenage technologists, endeavoring engineers, or number-savvy whippersnappers, you’re in luck.

We compiled a list of the best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) toys for the 2019 holiday season.

How To Outperform Competitors With Better Product Experience Management

Online sales giants have forever changed the way buyers buy. Whether the buyer is a consumer looking for shoes, or a design engineer looking for an actuator, the expectation is that the product they’re looking for is easy to find, with detailed information that makes it easy to evaluate and compare that product with similar and competing products. 

The Keys For Manufacturers To Connect With Big Buyers

Landing a contract with a big buyer can have an equally big impact on your business. However, large buying organizations tend to do things a bit differently than the clients you’re likely used to serving.

If you want a real chance at landing those big fish, you need to understand how they think and how their processes work.