Running a manufacturing business has a way of keeping you focused. You’re thinking about customers, suppliers, lead times, quality, and a hundred details that demand attention every day. But I’ve learned that you can’t run a busy operation well if you don’t also keep an eye on what’s happening beyond your walls. News, politics, technology […]
Cybercrime continues to rise, and ransomware attacks are affecting companies across the supply chain, from manufacturers and distributors to small local businesses. Over the past year, we’ve seen a growing number of incidents involving payment fraud, compromised email accounts, and ransomware within our broader business network. At Algood, protecting our systems and our partners is […]
It’s hard to believe that ChatGPT was launched only 3 years ago. Today, you can’t spend more than a minute online without seeing something that can be done using AI – whether for your business, home, travel or self-improvement. There’s no question that AI is amazing, and we’re using it in all kinds of ways […]
Juggling forecasts, supplier lead times, vacations and shutdowns, new specs, and demanding expectations. I know how heavy the load can get—because we feel it too. But sometimes, in the middle of all the complexity, it helps to step back, breathe in a little deeper, and laugh.
When you’ve been in the caster manufacturing industry as long as I have, you learn one fundamental truth: success isn’t just about making a great product; it’s about making the right product at the right time—whether that means delivering a one-off custom caster or ramping up to mass production without missing a beat.
I consider myself more of a realist than an optimist, but I feel very positive about 2025. There are many reasons to believe the new year will bring economic prosperity. The new administration in the U.S. will significantly impact economic factors, many of which will affect the manufacturing sector.
This is a time of great uncertainty. There are mixed signals from the economy. Inflation is falling while overall growth falters. Reduced interest rates drive some investment, but many companies still face new realities. War and conflict persist in Ukraine and the Middle East, each with cascading impacts.
yber security and best data management practices have been on my mind lately. In part, that’s because there are almost weekly stories of corporations being subjected to ransomware attacks or having their data stolen. And lately, a number of our customers have found themselves caught up in cyber fraud.
In the thick of the COVID crisis, many pundits predicted how we do business would change forever. Now, a year after the official end of the COVID emergency, I’ve been thinking about what, if anything, is really different here at Algood.
Recent events at Boeing are a cautionary tale for every manufacturer. They bring to life the ever-present tension between quality and profitability. That’s a very narrow path to navigate. Fall on one side, and your financial fortunes suffer. Falling on the other side puts your reputation – and, in the case of Boeing, lives at risk.
Here in Toronto, as we enter the third quarter, the weather has turned dramatically colder. It feels like autumn. That may be the clearest signal facing us. The economy, global politics, the caster industry and even our own customers are all sending mixed signals. You are likely facing some of the same unpredictability.
I monitor economic news and insights very closely. It’s part of my daily media routine and there are several people whose opinions I seek out and follow. Based on all that, there are three interconnected E’s that are keeping me awake lately. The situation in Europe, the impending global energy crisis and the economy all have my full attention these days. I’m concerned but I’m also very confident that Algood will remain strong.
