Kristin McLane

ISO 13485 to QMSR: what small medical device manufacturers must know

For years, medical device manufacturers in the U.S. have operated under the FDA’s Quality System...

does MES have to be expensive and disruptive? rethinking what it takes to get started

For many small and midsize manufacturers, the idea of implementing a Manufacturing Execution System...

how MES helps small manufacturers navigate economic uncertainty

Manufacturing has never been static, but the level of uncertainty today feels different.

Trade...

inventory management software: what it is and why it’s not enough on its own

Inventory is one of the most visible (and misunderstood) parts of a manufacturing operation.

Too...

how to improve on-time delivery without adding more people or machines

Late deliveries rarely come from a lack of effort. Most small and midsize manufacturers work hard,...

why manufacturing software only works when the people behind it understand the shop floor

Manufacturing software doesn’t fail because the technology is bad. It fails because it’s...

what the new IA9100 standards mean for aerospace manufacturing

For aerospace manufacturers, quality standards are nothing new. Compliance has always been part of...

6 things production supervisors need from manufacturing software

Production supervisors live in the middle of everything. They’re responsible for schedules, people,...

5 ways manufacturers are closing the skilled labor gap with MES

The skilled labor gap isn’t a future problem. It’s already here.

Small and midsize manufacturers...

operator-centric automation: what it is and why it works

Automation has been part of manufacturing for decades. Robots load parts. Machines run unattended....

digital work instructions: reducing errors and training on the shop floor

Most manufacturing errors don’t start with bad intent or poor workmanship. They start with missing,...

how small manufacturers can compete with larger shops using better data

For small manufacturers, competition with larger shops can feel uneven from the start. Bigger...

debunking common MES myths

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) have been around for a long time. Yet for many small and...

CIMx’s most read manufacturing blogs of 2025

In a year defined by uncertainty, preparation, and progress, manufacturers were searching for...

CIMx wrapped: the year in review

If manufacturing had a “wrapped” this year, it wouldn’t be defined by flashy buzzwords or big...