Earlier this year, WMS client Ocean Protein was named best in community relations for 2008. The Puget Sound chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) awarded the company, along with its communications firm, Happonen Communications, with a 2009 Totem Award recognizing the best in PR for the region.

The Obama administration signaled in its fiscal year 2010 budget outline released in February 2009 that it would invest in new strategies to boost the commercialization of basic research and development, allocating $50 million in new funds to the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Program to boost the development of new regional innovation clusters. Tellingly, however, administration officials also decided to significantly increase funding for a 20-year-old program—-the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program—-which helps our nation’s small- and medium-sized businesses remain globally competitive by encouraging applied innovation through a variety of projects.

Collectively, the largest employer in the country, small and midsize businesses have some tough choices to make, and before conducting layoffs or shutting the doors, there are five ways inventory management can help small and midsize businesses hunker down and weather the storm.

Green manufacturing has become a powerful marketing tool. Consumers increasingly have begun buying green products that are more cost effective, healthier, and leave less of a carbon footprint on our planet. As a result, manufacturers are developing products that fit this need.At the same time they are implementing supply chains that are greener.

Regardless of what the prevailing perceptions are, the simple truth is that the United States hasn’t lost its lead as the manufacturing power