Sixty percent of manufacturers use a basic (and flawed) cost model to determine the costs to offshore their product manufacturing needs. They base decisions to do business in other countries on: Wage arbitrage – Countries where there is an abundance of labor and the cost of doing business is lower than in the United States. Purchase price variance (PPV) – A procurement...

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, such as which aluminum alloys...

Manufacturing suppliers will typically request an annual forecast from their customers. While this process takes time, suppliers absolutely need this information to ensure they have the capacity and production wherewithal to meet your product manufacturing needs throughout the year. They use the information to determine their materials, equipment and workforce requirements. But what...

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, “seeing is believing,” is a saying said “to mean that if you see something yourself, you will believe it to exist or be true, despite the fact that it is extremely unusual or unexpected.” The same goes for those who visit Alexandria Industries. They understand our hype. They see us in action, and when they leave, they do so...

With the combination of 5.8 million job openings and a 4.1 percent unemployment rate, many companies are upping their anti when it comes to recruiting employees – especially skilled ones. To grow, smart companies know they need creative recruitment strategies to attract new employees. Spending time, money and effort on finding the right employees can be worthwhile. That is, unless...

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question we commonly ask of children. Responses we may hear are a police officer, a nurse, a movie star, a ball-player, or any number of fascinating livelihoods. But what if we were to ask Jesus Christ what he wants us to be when we grow up? I think he would have the same answer for every one of us: "I want you to be different. I...

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 thought of anyone working in manufacturing. This gesture...

When seeking a manufacturing partner, choose one who is open to doing things differently, a supplier who boosts your competitiveness and your bottom line. We recently received a prospective business opportunity to work with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) on a newly developed product. Our collective goal was getting to a lower price-point, with higher volumes. We needed to...