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We’re from the Government and we’re here to help (jobs)!

We’re from the Government and we’re here to help (jobs)!

A great deal any administration’s focus seems to be directed to increasing jobs in America. Whether green energy or infrastructure, what’s made the news usually includes some reference to new job creation. Is this credible? Can the federal government make a meaningful contribution to the country’s employment, and if so, where and how? One thing for sure is subsidies for some businesses will surely create new jobs. The emphasis on green energy in the Obama… Read More

Supplier Evaluations? How About BUYER evaluations, too?

Supplier Evaluations? How About BUYER evaluations, too?

Supplier evaluation is a frequent LinkedIn group discussion.  Since Proficient Sourcing’s business is to help identify appropriate and excellent manufacturing suppliers, these discussions are of particular interest. Our work typically involves generating candidates for new supplier situations.  Evaluation criteria are focused on price and delivery, with excellent quality.  The shops we deal with all have extensive histories of happy customers, so we are confident of a quality recommendation.  As time moves on, other factors come… Read More

China: Is the End Coming Soon?

China: Is the End Coming Soon?

China has been the major thorn in American manufacturing for some time.  Now a well-known expert says this is coming to a dramatic end in the next 10 years. Proficient Sourcing has a network of domestic manufacturers eager for reshoring interest or just a desire for better suppliers.  Maybe at last we have some “good” news concerning manufacturing and China! Peter Zeihan has been writing about world geopolitics for decades and recently released a terrific… Read More

Need Improvements to Your Supply Chain – FAST?

Need Improvements to Your Supply Chain – FAST?

We’re all about improving your supply chain.  Whether reshoring something or any of a myriad of possibilities, if you want excellent candidates for your outsourced manufacturing, we can probably help. Key areas of success have been large metal parts, such as machine bases, fabricated and molded plastics, domesticating ferrous (and large!) castings, tanks, pressure vessels, and even micro machined precision items.  We can also offer special ISO candidates for specific industries.  Here’s a partial listing… Read More

Future of the Supply Chain. Good for the US?

Future of the Supply Chain. Good for the US?

Proficient Sourcing LLC exists to help OEM’s find excellent manufacturing suppliers.  We found a forecast of what the future might hold that’s both chilling and encouraging.  Check out this source and keep us in mind if it’s at all accurate. “[After WWII] the Americans had …become THE determining factor in issues European and Asian…industrial and trade based, cultural and military. …The Americans…offered their wartime allies a deal.  The Americans would use their navy to patrol… Read More

Procurement Problems We Address

Procurement Problems We Address

Research revealed several common problems OEMs face when seeking new suppliers.  Proficient Sourcing exists to address most of them with success. The first item, naturally, is the time-consuming task of determining capabilities, capacity, and quality standards needed for the project.  Sorting through the various website options may not be sufficient. We can do this for you, and there’s no obligation!  Once we know what you need we’ll research our network to find an appropriate shop… Read More

Outsourcing Your Manufacturing: Pros and Cons

Outsourcing Your Manufacturing: Pros and Cons

Proficient Sourcing LLC exists to help you find excellent suppliers so your outsourcing will be successful.  There are many factors involved with outsourcing, and it’s always educational to check the internet to see the pros and cons. Fortunately, we found no new revelations.  But depending on your business there are certainly many things to consider. In most cases we know, an OEM seeks manufacturing resources not available within the company, or perhaps beyond current capacity. … Read More

OEM Standards: Should We Worry?

OEM Standards: Should We Worry?

What’s going on with large corporations these days?  Some may be your customers or suppliers, so their motivations should be significant in your business plans.  And to the extent this population includes OEM’s we are concerned. It’s probable outside forces have tried to influence corporate behavior forever.  But now, in a time of social media and instant and broad communications, perhaps this has become more important.  Such things as ESG and CEI, if expanded into… Read More

Inclusive Economic Growth via Manufacturing?

Inclusive Economic Growth via Manufacturing?

A McKinsey & Company article of Jan 12, 2022 is labeled as part of the Davos Agenda.  This alone gives us pause.  Do you trust the Davos crowd for sound advice?  Please let us know your view on this subject. In any case, among other things, this McKinsey author bemoans the decline of US manufacturing, as it’s driven inequality and hurt its global competitiveness.  Further, revitalizing manufacturing could add lots of well-paying jobs with digitization… Read More

The 4 Day Work Week – A 2nd Take

The 4 Day Work Week – A 2nd Take

We continue to hear news about the 4-Day workweek.  Some European countries have implemented this, but it has yet to take hold in the US.  Is this a good idea for us in manufacturing?  Or in other types of work?  And who would benefit from such a change? We have no particular view on this subject, other than the obvious fact that such a change would present problems to manufacturers, along with many others, of… Read More