Manufacturing Insights
Welcome to Manufacturing Insights, a blog dedicated to providing valuable information and insights into the dynamic world of manufacturing.
At the heart of every successful manufacturing venture lies the ability to make informed decisions. Manufacturing insights serve as the compass guiding us through business complexities. They offer us the vantage point to anticipate market shifts, optimize operations, and strategize for the future.
The Power of Long-Term Partnerships in Manufacturing
Lasting manufacturing improvement takes more than a one-time solution. MRC works alongside Pennsylvania manufacturers, connecting workforce development, process improvement, leadership, and advanced manufacturing expertise to solve challenges and build lasting business capabilities.
AI Is Changing Manufacturing: A Practical Path to Industrial AI and Automation
AI, robotics, and automation are creating new opportunities for manufacturers. But where should a business begin? MRC President & CEO Rich Hobbs explores how manufacturers can connect technology investments to business needs, prepare their people, improve processes, and turn advanced manufacturing opportunities into lasting business results.
Smart Manufacturing in Action: From the Shop Floor to Automation Integration
Manufacturing is evolving fast—and companies are looking for smarter ways to compete. From automation to workforce development, discover how MRC is helping manufacturers take practical steps toward Smart Manufacturing.
Stop Reading the Report. Go Walk the Line: The Power of a Gemba Walk
Spring is the perfect time to shake off old habits. Instead of relying on filtered reports, close the laptop and go walk the line. This is the power of a Gemba Walk — getting to the actual place where the work happens to uncover real issues, listen to your team, and show that leadership cares about the floor.
How do you support your most challenging customer on their most difficult day?
Discover how manufacturing leaders can transform challenging customer interactions into trust and loyalty. Explore the 5-step approach to handling difficult customers, plus why upstream customer experience beats reactive service and reduces the number of heated customer service moments downstream. When teams are unprepared, even small issues can spiral.
From Frontline to Leadership: Building Stronger Supervisors Across Industries
While MRC’s roots are in manufacturing, this isn’t just a manufacturing story. Leadership challenges aren’t unique to the shop floor. From warehouses and distribution centers to service operations, the struggle is the same: supervisors are stretched thin, teams are more diverse than ever, and communication gaps are costing time and money.
Top 10 Leadership Pivots for 2026: What Modern Leaders Must Do Differently
Leadership in 2026 demands bold pivots. From establishing ethical AI policies and building AI-fluent leaders to strengthening cross-functional collaboration and human-centered culture, these Top 10 Manufacturing Leadership Pivots provide a practical blueprint for navigating workforce shortages, automation, and generational change with confidence.
Empowering Leaders Through Language: How Native Language Training Strengthens Our Manufacturing Workforce
As manufacturing teams grow more diverse, how leadership training is delivered matters as much as what is taught. Native-language supervisor training improves comprehension, builds confidence, and strengthens communication on the shop floor. Learn why this approach drives measurable gains in leadership performance and operational consistency
New at MRC: The Smart Manufacturing Resource Center
If your team is exploring automation, robotics, machine vision, quality enhancements, or connected shop-floor systems, we invite you to schedule a visit. This space is built for discovery: compare approaches side-by-side, identify what aligns with your constraints (budget, space, team skills), spot potential pitfalls early, and leave with clearer next steps.
2026 Automation and Manufacturing Technology Show
Hosted by Manufacturers Resource Center, this half-day event delivers real-world automation insights. Hear from local manufacturers on successes and lessons learned, explore scalable tech like collaborative robots, vision systems, and data connectivity, and bring your team for actionable ideas. Less hype, more value—perfect for small-to-mid-sized manufacturers exploring their next steps.
The 2026 Manufacturing Reality: Modest Growth, Major Transformation
Economic forecasts show moderate U.S. growth in 2026, but manufacturers are accelerating investment in AI, automation, and smart operations. Here’s how regional strength and national trends are shaping the year ahead. Manufacturers that lead in 2026 will be those that treat AI as a workforce multiplier, building environments where technology supports people in doing higher-value, more strategic work.
Navigating ISO 27001: Essential for Information Security Across Industries
In this article, Sally Wilk, CEO of WCH Professional Services, explains why ISO 27001 has become a critical standard for organizations handling sensitive information. From reducing cyber risks to strengthening compliance and preserving institutional knowledge, ISO 27001 provides a powerful framework for long term security and resilience. Discover how this certification helps companies protect data, build trust, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Power of Long-Term Partnerships in Manufacturing
The Power of Long-Term Partnerships in Manufacturing By the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) Lasting manufacturing improvement takes more than a single training session or a one-time solution. It takes people, practical application, and a commitment to keep getting...
AI Is Changing Manufacturing: A Practical Path to Industrial AI and Automation
AI Is Changing Manufacturing: A Practical Path to Industrial AI and Automation By Rich Hobbs, President & CEO Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and other advanced technologies are changing the manufacturing...
Smart Manufacturing in Action: From the Shop Floor to Automation Integration
Smart Manufacturing in Action: From the Shop Floor to Automation Integration by Rich Hobbs, President and CEO Manufacturers Resource Center Across our region, one thing is becoming increasingly clear, manufacturing is not slowing down. It’s evolving. In conversations...
Stop Reading the Report. Go Walk the Line: The Power of a Gemba Walk
Stop Reading the Report. Go Walk the Line: The Power of a Gemba Walk by Shawn Furman, Director Automation and Manufacturing Technology Strategy Manufacturers Resource Center Spring is a good time to shake off old habits. Here's one worth picking up: when something's...
How do you support your most challenging customer on their most difficult day?
How do you support your most challenging customer on their most difficult day? by Mitchell Roedema Leadership Development & Training Strategy Manager Manufacturers Resource Center Every organization eventually meets a customer who arrives upset, stressed, or ready...
From Frontline to Leadership: Building Stronger Supervisors Across Industries
From Frontline to Leadership: Building Stronger Supervisors Across Industries By Diane Lewis, Vice President Manufacturing Solutions and Center Operations Manufacturers Resource Center The Lehigh Valley has always been a place where people know how to work, build, and...
Top 10 Leadership Pivots for 2026: What Modern Leaders Must Do Differently
Top 10 Leadership Pivots for 2026: What Modern Leaders Must Do Differently by Mitchell Roedema Leadership Development & Training Strategy Manager Manufacturers Resource Center Leadership in 2026 looks nothing like leadership from five years ago. AI adoption is...
Empowering Leaders Through Language: How Native Language Training Strengthens Our Manufacturing Workforce
Empowering Leaders Through Language: How Native Language Training Strengthens Our Manufacturing Workforce by Mitchell Roedema Leadership Development & Training Strategy Manager Manufacturers Resource Center At Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC), we know that...
New at MRC: The Smart Manufacturing Resource Center
New at MRC: The Smart Manufacturing Resource Center Hands-On Exploration for Real-World Automation Decisions by Shawn Furman, Director Automation and Manufacturing Technology Strategy Manufacturers Resource Center Manufacturers across the Lehigh Valley and beyond are...
2026 Automation and Manufacturing Technology Show
2026 Automation and Manufacturing Technology Show FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manufacturers Resource Center April 15, 2026 Automation isn't a distant "future" anymore—it's a practical, proven tool that manufacturers right here in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding regions...