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Yesterday we kicked off our most popular blog post series for the most viewed blog posts in the main 5 categories we publish to (although you can browse all categories on the right side of this blog). Those 5 key categories are: Logistics, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Freight, and Transportation. We started yesterday with the most popular logistics blog posts which told a bit of a story: people love reports, infographics, and white papers. 

For the Manufacturing Blog Posts, we saw a bit of a deviation from that starting trend. For these manufacturing blog posts, it seems that technology, future trends, and a focus on manufacturing process improvement was the focus. If you want to read all of the manufacturing blog posts on our blog, check out the manufacturing blog category here. 

5 of the Most Viewed Manufacturing Blog Posts from the Cerasis Blog in 2015..So Far

Like with the logistics blog posts and subsequent categories, the following blog posts were both written in house and by several guest bloggers. Our goal is to make a community around these 5 main categories. The manufacturing blog posts you read today are just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come, so we hope you enjoy these top 5, which all were written in 2015, and are the most popular from #5 to #1:

1. 20 Manufacturers Describe ERP Software Benefits in their Own Words

There’s one voice that’s often conspicuously absent from the online ERP software conversation: the one belonging to actual users.

It’s easy to find information from developers, integrators, consultants, and the tech media. But to find out what real users are saying about the tangible benefits they’ve seen from their ERP investment? That’s tougher.

The relative lack of published information from ERP software users is a bit unfortunate. After all, actual users are best-positioned to provide an unbiased report on how ERP features can be harnessed for real-world competitive advantages.

To better understand how your organization can benefit, we’ve collected comments from 20 manufacturers detailing the results they were able to achieve via their investments in ERP software. >>> Read More & See What Manufacturers are Saying about ERP

2. 10 Issues Keeping Manufacturers and Distributors Up At Night for 2015

As we get settled into this new year, we thought we’d share observations from conversations we’ve had with manufacturers and distributors recently. These ten issues are what is keeping them up at night. We believe they are worthy of discussion in 2015 as they are more pressing than ever as competition continues to heat up with current incumbents and the growing competition from start ups. >>> Read the 10 Issues Keeping Manufacturers and Distributors Awake at Night

3. What is the Hyperconnected Era & “The Internet Of Things” and What does it Have to Do with Manufacturing & Logistics?

Hyperconnectivity is the increasing digital interconnection of people – and things – anytime and anywhere. By 2020 there will be 50 billion networked devices. This level of connectivity will have profound social, political and economic consequences, and increasingly form part of our everyday lives, from the cars we drive and medicines we take, to the jobs we do and the governance systems we live in, to even the business technology systems we use. This growing movement of such hyperconnectivity is known as the Hyperconnected Era or often referred to now as “The Internet of Things.” >>> Read More about how the IOT Will Transform the Industry

4. 5 Sweeping Technologies Rapidly Changing Paradigms & Execution of Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing technology is not what tit used to be a decade ago. Today’s increasingly automated and software driven industries have reduced human intervention to pressing only a few buttons in some cases. The application of advanced technologies in manufacturing such as nanotechnology, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) are changing the face of manufacturing in ways unimaginable a few decades ago. In addition to cutting the costs, these technologies create speed, precision, efficiency and flexibility for manufacturing companies. Here is a look at some of the advanced technologies that are driving growth. >>> Read More about these Sweeping Technologies

5. [INFOGRAPHIC] The End of Made In China Manufacturing

The phrase “Made in China” embodies cheap labor, the outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs, and China’s transformation into one of the world’s economic superpowers. However, it seems the end of the Made in China manufacturing era may be in sight.

Factory workers demanding better wages and working conditions are hastening the eventual end of an era of cheap costs that helped make southern coastal China the world’s factory floor.

Where once low-tech factories and scant wages were welcomed in a China eager to escape isolation and poverty, workers are now demanding a bigger share of the profits. The government, meanwhile, is pushing foreign companies to make investments in areas it believes will create greater wealth for China, like high technology. >>> Read more and View the Infographic

What are your favorite manufacturing blog posts from the Cerasis blog? What other manufacturing blog posts would you share? Let us know in the comments section below!

Other Top Manufacturing Blog Posts Lists from Previous Years

Top Manufacturing Blog Posts from 2014

Top Manufacturing Blog Posts from the First Half of 2014

Top Manufacturing Blog Posts from 2013

Yesterday we had said we concluded our most popular blog posts by category for the blog posts written from our major categories for 2014. However, with most of our customer base in the manufacturing field, with the remaining in distribution and other industries, we thought it was vital that we featured some of the other manufacturing blog posts that were also popular in 2014.  We featured out of our 200 plus blog posts in 2014, over 50 blog posts in the manufacturing category.

You might ask yourself, “Why does a third party logistics company create Manufacturing content? They are a logistics solutions company, why not ONLY write about logistics?” Well, as a marketing manager for Cerasis, what I know is this: it ain’t about US, it’s about providing value to those who we want to serve. Who do we serve, you might ask? Well, manufacturing companies who ship freight in North America. So, knowing that, Cerasis wants to write about best practices, trends, opinions, and more that matter to manufacturers. If we can provide value there, show our expertise, and get in front of those in manufacturing, we can educate, provide continual improvement, and in all transparency, show potential shipper customers that we understand their needs beyond just freight. We know they have a lot to accomplish with their core, and our goal is to make all the logistics they must focus on as a part of doing business that much easier. This is accomplished either through providing remarkable and valueable content or by providing our logistics services so they can remain efficient and thus profitable.

This is the last post in our “Most popular” series (I promise), but in 2015, we are doing even more to bring value to our now over 70,000 monthly readers with our content. You may say we have a passion for not only logistics, but also those subjects that matter to our manufacturing and distribution shippers. We also hope that anyone interested in these categories we write to enjoy our content and learn a little bit to make their lives easier.

Top 11 thru 20 Most Popular Manufacturing Blog Posts of 2014

The top 10 most popular manufacturing blog posts of 2014 were focused on reshoring, technology, and safety. Those topics were similar in the 11 thru 20 most popular blog posts, but with  also a focus on things such as the skills gap, process, and awesome movements like the maker movement, 3D printing, and the return of US Manufacturing. We hope you enjoy!

11. 6 Ways to Lower Your Manufacturing Costs to Gain a Competitive Edge: Over the years, machines and technology have developed to solve rapidly changing and complex manufacturing issues, and to meet consumer demand for better, faster, and higher-quality products all with the goal of lowering manufacturing costs still an important factor. So how does the modern manufacturing company focus on achieving all of these things effectively? Read the Full Blog Post.
12. 3 Critical Components to Streamline Your Manufacturing Process: Streamlining your manufacturing process (and quality processes) will result in greater profits — the key is knowing how to improve without reducing the quality of your product. Streamlining involves reducing waste, improving quality and using the technology available to keep all team members working together. Improvements can be made to both material and labor costs. Read the Full Blog Post.
13. The Mixed Benefits of 3D Printing for Manufacturers and Consumers: In the world of manufacturing, there is no doubt that 3D printing is very much in vogue. Practically every tech and manufacturing blog has had a story on 3D printing in the past couple of years, and a huge variety of companies now have their own 3D printers including traditional manufacturers, independent shop owners, and artists. Even some public libraries have purchased 3D printers in order to give the public the ability to learn about this technology. You may also come across stores or kiosks in malls and shopping centers where store owners usually sell toys and figurines, often taken from the likeness of the customer. Read the Full Blog Post.
14. Manufacturing Industry Pros Share Why Manufacturing Is Important to the Economy: In that post, the survey asked the simple questions of “Why is American Manufacturing important to you and why is it important to the economy?” We had some of the brightest minds around manufacturing weigh in and give their thoughts, which you can read below. We are sure their answers will reinvigorate you just like manufacturing is doing to the economy at present, with the newly released statistics that the economy grew even more than expected in the second quarter by 4.2%, mostly driven by gains in manufacturing. In fact, the Markit Flash PMI for August predicts that we will see the ISM’s Purchasing Manager’s Index rise to the highest levels we’ve seen since April 2011, with an expected reading of 58.0. That’s some serious momentum! Read the Full Blog Post.
15. The Current Confusing State of American Manufacturing, More Exciting Than the Super Bowl: If you follow the state of American Manufacturing and are a fan of manufacturing, the day after and this week after the Super Bowl has been sprinkled with drama and exciting reports on the state of American Manufacturing. From the rapid decline of new orders and the ISM’s PMI, to the talks of Reshoring as a reality to bring more manufacturing to the US, all to the dispute and “weirdness” of how all of these various indexes are really capturing the true outlook on the renaissance (or perhaps volatility) of American Manufacturing. In short, the current state of American Manufacturing is just plain….CONFUSING! Read the Full Blog Post.
16. 3D Printing: One Step Closer to a Star Trek Future? [INFOGRAPHIC]: On the original Star Trek TV series from the 1960s, they had their fictional replicator technology that materialized food, drink and non-edible objects. Well…now 3D printing is turning fiction into fact. There’s even a 3D printer by MakerBot Industries called the Replicator. Okay, we’re not quite at the Star Trek level yet, but the number of objects we can “print” is quickly growing, and the list includes useful things such as human organs, limbs and even synthetic food including pizza. Chefs probably don’t have to worry about their jobs just yet, as some of this 3D-printed food so far is intended for consumption by astronauts in space — where 30 minutes or free for pizza obviously isn’t an option. As well, 3D printing is in its infancy. In the near future, though, you could very well order something online and have it created in front of you from a home or office 3D printer — not unlike the Star Trek replicator. Read the Full Blog Post.
17. [Infographic] Help Wanted: Skills for Manufacturing Jobs, What does the Manufacturing Skills Gap Cost Us? A new Accenture manufacturing and skills study, completed in collaboration with The Manufacturing Institute, looks at the skills shortage in the US manufacturing industry and what actions manufacturing companies can take to address how this lack of talent pool of skills for manufacturing jobs impedes growth. Read the Full Blog Post.
18. [Infographic] The Power of 3D Printing in Manufacturing: An Illustrated Guide: In the 1980s, most tech geeks were still busting their brains over how to develop personal computers and entertainment consoles for the masses. Little did the public know that in addition to the green MS-DOS screens and 8-bit video games entering the market, three decades later developments taking place behind the scenes would revolutionize the worlds of industry, craft, and art. Read the Full Blog Post.
19. [White Paper] A Primer on the Maker Movement & A Comment on the Democratization of Manufacturing: A few weeks ago I wrote a piece around a growing trend, the Democratization of Manufacturing and the Role of Its Citizens. I expanded on this thought, where many players are involved in manufacturing efficiency and output, as opposed to just one single source supply chain or just a few large manufacturing companies. Instead, the idea of the democratization of manufacturing is all about making manufacturing accessible to all and from many sources. In a consumer driven economy, where no longer does the producer have the power (Read “The New Rules of Retail” to see those changes over time from producer driven economies to consumer driven economies), this is a natural evolution. Read the Full Blog Post.
20. A 7 Step Process to Increase B2B Visibility on LinkedIn for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics & Industrial Companies: There are more than 300 million users. There are over 3 million company pages. Every two seconds someone new joins LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the largest professional network and is a virtual treasure chest of riches for companies in the supply chain industry. If your company is not active on LinkedIn you are missing out on opportunities- and revenue. Read the Full Blog Post.

What manufacturing content would you like to see in 2015? Let us know in the comments below. If you want to continue seeing great content from Cerasis, make sure you subscribe to our blog by entering your email address in the pop up box in the bottom right of this screen!