DISHER

Why Your Manufacturing Process Automation Isn’t Delivering the Efficiency You Expected

Kendall Groelsma — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:18:21 +0000

Automation is often seen as the ultimate solution for improving productivity and reducing costs in manufacturing. However, many companies discover that after implementing automation, the efficiency gains they anticipated simply don’t materialize. Why does this happen? The answer usually lies in a few critical missteps that occur before and during the automation process. Below I will discuss the major areas: automating…

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Hidden Engineering Costs: Top 5 Things That Can Blow Up Your Budget

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:38:04 +0000

Nothing derails a product development project faster than surprise costs. If you’ve ever felt nervous about whether your engineering budget is accurate, or worried that you’re missing something big, that feeling is real. We’ve seen smart teams—startups, mid-sized manufacturers, and Fortune 500 companies alike—run into the same traps. This article will walk you through the hidden engineering costs that catch people off…

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The 6 Key Components of an Effective Product Brainstorming Session

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:22:50 +0000

You know the feeling. Your team gathers for a “brainstorming” session, but half the room is quiet, ideas repeat themselves, and the energy fades fast. You leave wondering if anything meaningful came from it. Brainstorming should be exciting, collaborative, and productive, but too often, it’s not. At DISHER Engineering, my team has helped hundreds of…

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How to Calculate OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:12:08 +0000

Few things are more frustrating than watching your team work hard, your machines run nonstop… and still missing production goals. You know something’s off, but you can’t quite see where the losses are coming from. That’s where OEE comes in. In this post, I’ll explain: What Is OEE, and Why Does It Matter in Manufacturing?…

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When New Product Development Isn’t an Option, Find Growth with VA/VE

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:31:14 +0000

For many organizations, new product development is the heartbeat of growth. Fresh ideas lead to new revenue, expanded markets, and competitive advantages. But what happens when your team doesn’t have the resources, budget, or bandwidth to take on new designs? It’s a challenge many engineering and product development leaders face. Supply chain volatility and inflationary…

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What Is an Owner’s Representative?

Kendall Groelsma — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:05:17 +0000

When you have a big project on the horizon—maybe a facility expansion, a process improvement initiative, or a multi-million-dollar capital equipment investment—it’s high-stakes. And whether you’re in HR, operations, or project leadership, one thing is certain: you need someone to own the project. Not just someone to check boxes or update spreadsheets, but someone who protects your time, budget, and reputation through…

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Top 7 R&D Bottlenecks That Kill Innovation

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:36:04 +0000

Innovation projects can sometimes start strong but stall halfway. Ideas get buried in meetings. Everyone’s busy, but no one’s moving forward. So, if your team feels stuck in a loop of effort without progress, you’re not alone. Real bottlenecks can hold innovation back. In this article, we’ll unpack the most common R&D roadblocks we’ve seen…

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Class A vs. B vs. C Surfacing: Which Is Right for Your Product Design?

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:20:42 +0000

When you’re deep in a CAD model trying to finalize a design, it can be tricky to know if you truly need a Class A finish or not. In this article, I’ll explain what each surface class means, what they’re best for, and how to make the right call for your design. You’ll learn: What…

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Top 8 Engineering Firms in West Michigan (2025 Rankings & Reviews)

Kendall Groelsma — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:47:27 +0000

Choosing the right engineering partner can be difficult. There are dozens of options across West Michigan (and beyond), each with different specialties, price points, and promises. It’s hard to tell which ones truly deliver and which are just good at marketing. If that’s where you’re at, this guide will help. At DISHER Engineering, we’ve spent…

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Engineering Services Providers: What Clients Love & What They Complain About Most

Kendall Groelsma — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:33:29 +0000

Bringing in outside engineering support can feel like a gamble. Will they mesh with your team? Will they really understand your goals? If you’ve ever felt uncertain about which provider to trust, you’re not alone in that hesitation. How do you know who’s actually good versus who just looks good on paper? In this article,…

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