OUR TEAM

Productivity and equipment reliability are key in successful manufacturing operations. Companies are embracing a digital, data-driven approach to automation that includes machine learning to increase productivity, improve reliability, and lower maintenance costs. An effective digital transformation involves positioning for the future while simultaneously balancing legacy systems. In this edition of Insights, Krystian Tolloczko of Bridge Automation provides several best practices and outlines a comprehensive approach for digital transformation of complex manufacturing operations.

While the criteria for assessing labor force during site selection projects almost always include availability, skill sets, and wages, another aspect of workforce that is often considered is unionization. For some companies, the union climate of an area is an important factor in their site selection decision. Union data is available in the public realm, but there are challenges with the functional application of the data. In this installment of Insights, Reid Schultz shares the history of unionization in the United States and provides guidance on the assessing union climate in locations under consideration.

Prolonged supply chain issues have made us hyper-aware of the influential role that ports have on logistics and just how important they are to our transportation infrastructure. Evaluating ports, including port capacities, is a strategic part of many site selection projects. In this Insights edition, Laura Smith Swankler provides an overview of maritime transportation and shares the recent investments that The Port of Virginia has made to optimize their facilities.

Trade compliance is essential for a company establishing operations in the United States. In this edition of Insights, Joseph W. Rohe of 6125 Trade LLC shares how implementing a well-developed, structured, and tailored trade compliance program ensures compliance with applicable laws and provides opportunities for cost savings.

Do you know how many miles of freight rail are in the United States? For the answer as well as information on rail transportation solutions and rail considerations in the site selection process, see this month’s Insights on rail transportation by Grant Chaney of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC.