The Thomas Blog

ISM2016 Recap: Day Four

Many procurement teams and large buying organizations want to engage with small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). However, just getting those businesses to respond to RFQs can be a big challenge. To help bridge the gap, Thomas hosted a presentation that provided insight into the mindset of SMBs.

We were joined by Natalie Menke, President of Universal Blower Pac & INOHVA Pneumatics, a small original manufacturer of custom blower systems with headquarters in Indiana, who lent her unique perspective.

How Business Credit Affects Your Supply Chain

Your supply chain is similar to a line of standing dominos, if one piece goes down, it could cause a chain reaction and take all the other pieces down with it.

ISM2016 Recap: Day Three

From negotiating tactics to supply chain risk mitigation to recognizing underrepresented leaders, there was a lot to learn on day three at ISM2016. 

After months of anticipation, ISM2016 — the premier procurement and supply chain event — officially kicked off in Indianapolis. Whether you couldn’t make the trip or just couldn't decide which of the many great sessions to attend, we’re here to fill you in and give you an insider’s perspective with daily recaps straight from the conference. 

7 Educational STEM Videos from EngineerGuy

The estimated 2 million manufacturing jobs that will go unfilled in the next decade due to the skills gap is frightening to think about, but many in the industry are already being proactive about promoting STEM to spark interest at all ages.

ISM2016 Recap: Day Two

Day two really kicked ISM2016 into high gear, with learning sessions all day long, exciting presentations in the exhibit hall and a keynote address that brought everyone together. There was a lot to take in, and here is our recap to make sure you are plugged in.

ISM2016 Recap: Day One

Day one of ISM2016 is in the books. Check out the highlights from Indianapolis.

After months of anticipation, ISM2016 – the premier procurement and supply chain event – officially kicked off in Indianapolis. Whether you couldn’t make the trip or just couldn't decide which of the many great sessions to attend, we’re here to fill you in and give you an insider’s perspective with daily recaps straight from the conference. 

4 Ways To Improve Your Marketing Skills

A marketer’s job is never done. There’s always more content to create, more promotional material to advertise, and more ways that we can generate leads and funnel to sales. It’s a busy career.

In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, there’s no reason to let your marketing skills fall by the wayside. Just as there’s always more we can do strategically, there’s more we can do to sharpen our skills.

Maintaining your marketing prowess is as essential to your career as maintaining equipment is for manufacturers’. Here are actions I recommend to cultivate your marketing dexterity:

7 Videos of Buildings Being Built

Design and construction processes can be quite intense. Along with community planning, assessment of environmental impacts, and a number of other steps that comprise best practice (as delineated by the United States’ General Services Administration) are material selection and company vetting.

Video: The Need For Speed

You know that the manufacturing industry innovates at a breakneck pace, but one project by the U.S. Air Force just pushed that pace to an entirely new level – 633 miles per hour, to be exact.