As the immediate threat of Covid-19 subsides, companies are creating plans for introducing safe working practices. When it comes to sharing equipment, especially microscopes, there are concerns regarding cross-contamination and effective cleaning because most of the time an operator’s eyes come in direct contact with microscope eyepieces.

Good leadership is necessary for any successful company, no matter what circumstances surround your business. But in times of crisis it becomes even more important. How your company weathers this crisis may have lasting effects for years to come. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented surge in demand for healthcare and consumer products. This crisis has demanded stockpiles of supplies and has shifted the supply chain to local production. 

The National Association of Manufacturers released the results of the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2020 showing that despite a historic drop in optimism, to nearly 34%, and challenging business conditions, the vast majority of manufacturers (98.7%) have continued or only temporarily halted operations.

It’s hard to know what’s next. This remains true in business and in life, and it feels especially true right now. The news seems to change on a daily and hourly basis. Predictions about the pandemic can seem out of date within a few days.

Metalforming companies predicted improved business conditions during the summer months, according to the June 2020 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report. Prepared monthly, the report provides an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 115 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada.

As graduation season continues without any graduations—or rather, abbreviated ones online along with a cap and gown photo on your front porch—it reminds me of Anne Patchett’s graduation speech turned book, “What Now?”

The COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 and most of 2020 was unprecedented, and like all organizations ASQ was forced to take necessary precautions and make difficult decisions. Sadly this included the cancellation of the World Conference on Quality Improvement (WCQI), which had been scheduled for May 4-6 in Columbus, Ohio

The National Association of Manufacturers released the results of the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2020 showing that despite a historic drop in optimism, to nearly 34%, and challenging business conditions, the vast majority of manufacturers (98.7%) have continued or only temporarily halted operations. 

As we all wait for a return to some version of normalcy, businesses are taking action. In our fourth Quality Magazine Manufacturing Industry online survey, we looked at what manufacturers are doing, worrying about and what they expect in the future.