Insights

On work, systems, and improvement.

Practical writing for people who run plants, supply chains, and procurement — not a feed of product announcements.

Manufacturing AISupply chainProcurementLean and KaizenOperationsHuman-in-the-loop AIAI + ERPTribal knowledgeManufacturing automationProcess improvement

Manufacturing AI

August 12, 2026

8 min

AI Is Not Your Manufacturing Strategy

Manufacturers do not need to start with an AI strategy. Start with the work, find the friction, and improve the process first.

Process improvement

July 14, 2026

6 min

Why Manufacturers Should Not Automate Waste

If a process is slow because it has extra steps, automating it only makes the extra steps happen faster. That is not improvement.

Operations

May 19, 2026

5 min

Start With the Process Your Team Hates

The work people complain about is usually the work that is slow, unclear, and expensive. It is also the best place to begin.

Tribal knowledge

April 28, 2026

7 min

The Hidden Cost of Tribal Knowledge

When one person knows where everything is, the company is slower than it looks — and more fragile than it admits.

Procurement

March 11, 2026

6 min

What AI Can Actually Do for Procurement

Buyers do not need a new philosophy. They need fewer hours spent on follow-up, comparison, and search.

AI + ERP

February 17, 2026

7 min

ERP Is the System of Record. AI Can Become the System of Action.

Your ERP already holds the transaction. The work is getting from that record to a decision, and from that decision to an action.

Lean and Kaizen

January 20, 2026

6 min

Kaizen in the Age of AI

Continuous improvement does not become obsolete when the tools get stronger. It becomes more important.