Demand Innovation
Manufacturers Must be Careful During COVID-19 Crisis | Part I
“What if my manufacturing supplier suddenly closes shop?” Because of COVID-19, product manufacturers have quickly realized how the virus has exposed weak links in the global supply chain. During and after the virus has run its course, many of you will likely see suppliers who will not survive. (Unfortunately, some of our aluminum extrusion competitors…
Read MoreAre You Sure Your Supplier is Financially Stable and Healthy?
“What if my manufacturing supplier suddenly closes shop?” Because of COVID-19, product manufacturers have quickly realized how the virus has exposed weak links in the global supply chain. During and after the virus has run its course, many of you will likely see suppliers who will not survive. (Unfortunately, some of our aluminum extrusion competitors…
Read MoreMachining Lineal Aluminum Extrusions
Meeting the need for automated machining of lineal aluminum extrusions. Many components we make for customers are machined and cut from long lineal aluminum extrusions. To decrease the need to use multiple machines and processes, while reducing the number of times a production worker handles a part, our team of engineers designed a new machine—an…
Read MoreRedlines on Your Prints? There’s Good Reason.
We guarantee your manufactured component features will match your design print requirements to a T – said no one ever – at least before taking a close look at manufacturability. The accuracy of product design prints keep customer-supplier relationships in harmony. It allows suppliers to manufacturer components to the print’s specifications and reduces future interruptions…
Read More10 Ways to Lower Manufacturing Costs
Do you have a good sense of the overall value of your suppliers? Are they working to make a difference in your product development and speed to market? If the answer is no, you should find a new supplier. Alexandria Industries will always look at different ways to help customers adapt their product designs to…
Read MoreOvertime: Rewriting the Playbook
Similar to many other manufacturers, Alexandria Industries has long been aware of and affected by the worker shortage. This trend will continue according to market predictions. The worker shortage was unmistakable recently when we experienced a significant increase in customer requests. Current production workers could not keep up with the mounting work and the pipeline…
Read MoreCarefully Choose Your Aluminum Alloy
More than one aluminum alloy could be suitable for your product component needs, which is why you should not set your mind on a certain alloy. At least without understanding the value different alloys can bring to your extrusion profile. At Alexandria Industries, we understand the different alloy elements and their characteristics. We understand details,…
Read MoreHelp Wanted (Part 2): Five Steps to Change Manufacturing Misperceptions
At our exhibit at the Minnesota State High School Trapshooting Tournament, I was showing a student’s father some items we make, while also discussing the opportunities that exist around manufacturing careers. Out the corner of my eye, I noticed the student’s mother stick a finger down her throat as if she would gag at the…
Read MoreHelp Wanted: Changing Misperceptions about Careers in Manufacturing
Over the next decade, there will be approximately 3.5 million manufacturing job openings in the United States (Deloitte 2017). Predictions are that nearly 2 million will go unfilled. As manufacturers, we are already challenged to fill our open positions with skilled employees. To find them now, or in 10 years, we need to continue to…
Read MoreTick-tock, the ISO’clock is Ticking
Organizations that have earned ISO 9001:2008 certification, and want to recertify to the new 2015 standard, must do so by September 2018. After this date, a certificate to ISO 9001:2008 will no longer be valid. At Alexandria Industries, we rely on ISO certification to demonstrate our ability to provide products and services that consistently meet…
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