The Thomas Blog

What's the real impact of low oil prices?

Admit it.  Last time you went to the gas station and filled up the car you were pretty happy.  Maybe you even gave your friend riding shotgun a little high five? Of course you did!

We are currently enjoying the lowest gas prices since 2009, with trends pointing toward an average price of gas for the US below $2/gallon. That long drive to visit the family is looking more affordable every day. Pretty cool, right?

How Manufacturers Can Improve Lead Time? Ask These Questions

Whenever a buyer purchases a product, whether it be industrial, wholesale, or over-the-counter, one of the most important factors is lead time.

The fastest manufacturing and delivery services are always in high demand, and leaders from all levels of business are interested in providing faster lead times. It can be tricky, though, when your company is a distributor.

A manufacturer can always implement lean manufacturing methods to increase lead times, but what if your business relies on other manufacturers to provide products for customers?

Best Engineering Toys - Your Holiday Gift Guide

The holiday season is upon us!

Each year I get the inevitable question from other parents about the best engineering toys for their kids, so this year I thought I’d try and get in front of it and help with a few recommendations.

When I look at STEM focused toys, I feel that they need to be approachable, easy to use, have a high replay value or a mind blowing “WOW!” moment. Introducing the next generation of engineers to the basic concepts should to be fun and engaging, not frustrating and confusing.

Next Steps to Address the Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing

Numbers don’t lie: U.S. manufacturers are losing up to 11 percent of potential earnings due to the lack of skilled workers. With 63 percent of manufacturers expecting future growth, but a pending wave of retirements, there’s an urgency to close the skills gap.

How to Spark Interest in Manufacturing Among Our Youth

It takes a village — every one of us in manufacturing — to ensure that there is a next generation of skilled workers. When it comes to inspiring young people, it takes a village filled with those of us who are passionate about our careers, willing to be role models for those who hopefully will follow in our work boots.

Four Ways to Be “King of the Jungle” in the Marketing Ecosystem

At this point, the question has been answered: Yes, content marketing works. The tactics aren’t revolutionary or unorthodox. They simply follow the ways that buyers today consume information and gather research for decision-making.

The Secret to Staying Ahead of Google’s SEO Updates

Search engine optimization can seem like an impossible game.

New updates everywhere you look, and what I like to call the “caffeine conundrum:” the so-called experts tell you something is good for you one day, and bad the next. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that one of the earliest Google algorithm updates was, in fact, dubbed "Caffeine."

From the Big Green Books to Digital Dominance: One Engineer’s Take on Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone

Full disclosure: I jumped at this opportunity to guest blog for ThomasNet, and not simply because of my relationship with the Thomas team (I am their HubSpot rep). From my past life as a chemical engineer, I have fond memories of sourcing suppliers in the company’s “big green books,” the Thomas Register — just as my father did as an engineer before me.

The Top 9 Resources to Help You Find Your Next Engineering Job

You’re working hard and doing what you love, designing new parts and products, but you just can’t see any potential for career growth. You’ve searched through LinkedIn, Monster, and Indeed and have come up empty. If you can relate, it might be time to start trying some more focused job boards to uncover that new opportunity.