Major League Baseballs are Still Handmade

What do you imagine making baseballs for the pros looks like?

You might be surprised when you see what really happens behind the scenes at Rawlings.  Consistent quality is a priority, and much of the work is labor intensive and done by hand.

(Check out the effect of a pitch clock on Major League games’ cycle times in this OM in the News post.)


Video Spotlight:  

By |2023-05-31T05:37:28+00:00May 31, 2023|Tags: , , , |

Do Manufacturing Workers Benefit from Automation?

Advanced manufacturing technologies promise better jobs. Is it time to rejoice?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us, and it will transform work as we know it. This article delves into the benefits that automation could bring to deskless workers: safer jobs, higher pay, more opportunities for advancement, and so on. It is undeniable that automated technologies and artificial intelligence have the potential to enrich manufacturing jobs. However, their implementation will determine how workers are actually impacted.


Video Spotlight:

The Barcode Turns 50

The barcode’s origin story is somewhat in doubt. However, many people recognize April 3, 1973, as its birthday—making the barcode 50 years old.

On this day, the IBM version created by senior engineer George Laurer was approved as the industry standard. Shortly thereafter, the first barcoded product was scanned in Marsh’s supermarket near Troy, Ohio. The item was a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum for $1.39.

The use of the barcode has greatly expanded since 1973. Barcodes are everywhere. The Universal Product […]

The Chronic Pain of Drug Shortages

Despite repeated warnings that critical drugs have been and will remain in short supply, corrective action has been painfully elusive.

A confluence of factors contribute to the persistence of the problem. These factors have been identified multiple times over the years, but addressing them and their effects on patients’ health requires overall system changes that call for full congressional and business cooperation. The current blog does not cover the policy changes needed for improvement; they are beyond its scope. However, it […]

Go to Top