Rhode Island businesses are beginning to receive millions of dollars in tariff refunds, but some manufacturers are having trouble accessing the federal system needed to claim the money
Category: Lean Manufacturing
Polaris Helps Bring the New England Manufacturing Community Together at NE Made Summit
The inaugural New England M.A.D.E. (Manufacturing Advancement, Development & Expansion) Summit brought manufacturers, business leaders, industry experts and manufacturing support organizations together Tuesday, September 15, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island.
ISO 9001:2026 FDIS: Why Quality Management is Becoming a Strategic Business Function
Quality Magazine’s latest coverage of the ISO 9001:2026 revision digs into the substance behind the update, framing it as more than a routine documentation refresh. A central focus is climate change.
Value Stream Mapping’s Next Chapter: From Static Maps to Digital Twins
In a recent TechStrong TV conversation, Value Stream Mapping pioneer Jack Maher argues that manufacturing’s classic Lean toolkit—value stream mapping, Kanban, and process analysis dating back to the 1950s—is entering a new phase.
Building a Practical Path to AI Readiness
Artificial Intelligence (AI) often feels like a buzzword disconnected from the realities of daily manufacturing operations. While industry conversations promise “autonomous factories” and “digital transformation,” the practical application of AI in small to mid-sized job shops and discrete manufacturers can seem unclear.
We Needed Automation to Reshore Our Supply Chain
IndustryWeek’s article “We Needed Automation to Reshore Our Supply Chain” describes how TAC Industries, a Springfield, Ohio-based manufacturer that produces cargo nets for the U.S. Air Force, used automation as the key lever to bring critical hardware sourcing back from Asia to the United States.
Why Modern Supply Chains Can’t Rely on Efficiency Alone
The more optimized a supply chain became, the more competitive it would be. However, the past several years have challenged that assumption.
Rhode Island Manufacturers: Claim Tariff Refunds—But Stay Alert to Scams
For Rhode Island manufacturers—many of whom rely on imported materials, components, or equipment—refunds could translate into thousands (or more) in returned funds, potentially including interest.
Polaris MEP Releases 2025 State of Manufacturing Report for Rhode Island
The 2025 report combines multiple sources, including industry trend analysis, the Voice of Manufacturing Survey (VOMS), and insights from manufacturers, policymakers, and community leaders.
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