Small business vendors that frequently have to chase down larger clients to get paid might have reason to rejoice. According to a story in The Wall Street Journal, the White House has launched an initiative that will either speed payments to small suppliers or help them access "lower-cost capital."

Since David Friedfeld took over ClearVision Optical from his father in 1985, he's seen most eyewear manufacturing move overseas. The 120-employee company, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., is bringing a small piece of it back. Last year, Friedfeld purchased an entry-level 3D printer for just under $3,000. He still does the bulk of his manufacturing abroad, but he can now print eyeglass prototypes in-house.

Field to Market launched an agricultural supply chain program for U.S. commodity crops.

The manufacturing world is entering an era of hyper-innovation where advances in technology and material science are rapidly changing what we consider "possible" and creating new business opportunities along the way.

Newly hired chief executive officers arrive at their companies in a flurry of publicity and promise, determined to place their personal stamp on the organization. But there's one element that can cripple their efforts from the very start.