Under the headline, “Natural Gas Signals A ‘Manufacturing Renaissance,'” the New York Times (4/11, F6, Motavalli, Subscription Publication) reports that “the rapid development of shale gas technology has helped reduce energy imports and, in some cases, encouraged companies producing petrochemicals, steel, fertilizers and other products to return to the United States after relocating overseas.” Furthermore, Kevin Swift, chief economist at the American Chemistry Council, explains that European companies use oil-derived materials to make those same products, so, Swift says, “The US has a competitive advantage when oil is seven times as expensive as natural gas, but now we have more like a 50-to-1 advantage.” And a 2011 study from PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that “high rates of shale gas recovery could result in a million new manufacturing jobs by 2025.”
Meanwhile, though, the Wall Street Journal (4/11, A3, Gold, Smith, Gilbert, Subscription Publication) reports, the vast drop in natural gas prices due to overabundant output has hurt gas producers, who are now focusing on more expensive crude oil, coal companies as utilities switch to natural gas-fired power, and railroad companies who are no longer shipping as much coal. The relative cheapness of natural gas is also calling into question the economics of nuclear, solar and wind power. However, electricity consumers are the biggest winners, as their power bills are dropping. For example, Boston-based utility NSTAR announced it would cut retail electricity rates for commercial customers by 34% this spring, and hopes to make a similar announcement for its residential customers in May.
In similar coverage, the Financial Times (4/11, Makan, Meyer, Subscription Publication) reports that the drastic price drop that started at the end of 2011 took many natural gas producers by surprise, disrupting plans the companies may have had to hedge against future production. For example, Chesapeake, the second largest natural gas producer in the US, for the first time since 2002 has not locked in prices for any natural gas this year. Gary Stromberg, a Barclays energy industry analyst, explained, “Companies don’t want to lock in a loss on their natural gas output,” adding, “But the lack of hedging leaves them much more levered to commodity price movements than is normally the case.”
Alcoa Reports First-Quarter Profit On Higher Revenue
The AP (4/11) reports Alcoa “said Tuesday that it earned 9 cents share in the first quarter.” The company “surpassed analyst forecasts for a small loss by selling more aluminum to a wide range of customers, including car makers and aircraft manufacturers, and operating its plants more efficiently.” The aluminum manufacturer “is considered a barometer for the economy.”
AFP (4/11) reports, “Sales also beat forecasts, rising to $6.01 billion in the first three months of the year, slightly more than in the prior and year-ago quarters.” Alcoa “said the quarter-on-quarter rebound was driven by strong productivity improvements across all its businesses, higher prices for aluminum, and a better volume and mix.”
CNN Money (4/11, Yousuf) reports, “Alcoa’s results are especially encouraging as fears about an economic slowdown in China, the world’s biggest producer and consumer of aluminum, continue to build.”
Chicopee’s Diecast Connections Grows Business Backed by Massdevelopment Growth Loan
MassDevelopment has provided a $300,000 manufacturing growth loan to Die Cast Connections Company, Inc., a Chicopee manufacturer of permanent mold casting and aluminum and zinc die-casting. The company will use loan proceeds to hire additional employees and purchase equipment and material in support of a new product, thus providing the necessary working capital to support growth. Over the last two years, DieCast has invested in technical advances and engineering software as part of its strategic growth plan. This strategy has generated innovative designs while controlling costs and quality, and the company is now focused on meeting orders that this investment created. The funds from the manufacturing growth loan will support this new production.
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Ube shows sixth generation of all-electric presses
ORLANDO, FLA. (April 3, 8:20 p.m. ET) — Ube Machinery Inc. (Booth 603) is showing its new UF press, a machine with 950 tons of clamping force that marks the sixth generation of Ube’s all-electric molding machines.
David Bernardi, senior sales and marketing manager at said the UF is more streamlined that the earlier Ube all-electric. Also, Ube has switched from Mitsubishi to Fanuc electric servomotors. Bernardi said Ube builds die-casting machines for Fanuc Ltd., so the companies have a good business relationship.
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Die casting experts MRT are making significant investments in new equipment to support strong sales growth over the past year. Growing numbers of designers and buyers from Europe and the United States are turning to the elite team at MRT.
Andover, Hampshire (PRWEB) March 21, 2012
Die casting experts MRT are making significant investments in new equipment to support strong sales growth over the past year.
Survey Finds Increasing Optimism About Economy
IndustryWeek (3/7, Minter) reports, “Nearly 60% of middle-market manufacturing and distribution executives are optimistic about the US economy, according to the latest quarterly survey from McGladrey & Pullen, a tax and consulting firm. That is a 146% increase from the fall 2011 survey.” It “found automotive and transportation executives more likely than others to be optimistic about their companies, and automotive and industrial machinery executives more likely than others to be optimistic about their industries.” IndustryWeek notes, “The increased optimism among manufacturing executives was tempered by several factors, including federal government gridlock, access to free trade agreements, the lack of a meaningful energy policy in the US and the uncertainty of regulations due to the impending election this fall.”
Manufacturers Realigning Transportation Networks To Reduce Costs, Carbon Footprints
IndustryWeek (3/14, Blanchard) reported, “The push for greener supply chains has been increasing for quite a few years now, and yet it’s fair to say that not every US manufacturer is entirely convinced that initiatives sponsored by various government agencies have their best interests at heart. For instance, when the Environmental Protection Agency announced its plan to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources through the Clean Air Act, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) was highly critical of the move, seeing it as nothing less than an ill-advised power play.” While “overhauling production processes to reduce GHG emissions can be both expensive and time-consuming, manufacturers are earning their sustainability stripes and complying with other green initiatives by focusing on other areas of their supply chains, namely transportation and distribution. The benefit here is that not only can companies point to their efforts at improving the environment, but they also can enjoy substantial savings.
White House Urges House To Accept Senate Highway Bill
The Hill (3/20, Laing) reports the White House “continued to pressure the House to accept the $109 billion transportation bill that was passed last week by the Senate, saying that President Obama was ready to sign the measure into law. The administration has long signaled it supported the Senate’s version…over the five-year, $260 billion that had been under consideration in the House,” and “the pressure has been amplified since the Senate approved its version of the measure with 74 votes.” According to The Hill, the House “has not definitively indicated whether it will take up the Senate’s version of the transportation bill or continue pursuing a version of the legislation on its own.” National Association Of Manufacturers, Other Groups Hold Rally In Support Of Transportation Bill. The Hill (3/19, Laing) “Transportation Report” blog reported, “With Congress facing a deadline in two weeks for passing a new transportation bill, advocates of road and bridge projects are planning to rally in Washington, DC.” Organizers said the rally will take place today on the National Mall. “The Senate has passed a $109 billion measure that would fund road and bridge projects for the next two years, but the House has not indicated whether it will take the Senate bill up or continue trying to pass legislation of its own.” The National Association of Manufacturers is one of the groups organizing the event.
U.S. light-vehicle sales were stronger than expected for the second straight month in February, providing 2012 with the best 2-month start for any year since 2008.
LV deliveries totaled an estimated 1.146 million in February. The volume equates to a daily selling rate of 45,846 units over the month’s 25 selling days, for an 11.2% gain on year-ago’s 41,245 with 24 selling days.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Survey Finds Increasing Optimism About Economy
IndustryWeek (3/7, Minter) reports, “Nearly 60% of middle-market manufacturing and distribution executives are optimistic about the US economy, according to the latest quarterly survey from McGladrey & Pullen, a tax and consulting firm. That is a 146% increase from the fall 2011 survey.” It “found automotive and transportation executives more likely than others to be optimistic about their companies, and automotive and industrial machinery executives more likely than others to be optimistic about their industries.” IndustryWeek notes, “The increased optimism among manufacturing executives was tempered by several factors, including federal government gridlock, access to free trade agreements, the lack of a meaningful energy policy in the US and the uncertainty of regulations due to the impending election this fall.”
Appeals Court Appears Likely To Uphold Greenhouse Gas Rules
Bloomberg News (3/1, Schoenberg) reports, “The US Environmental Protection Agency’s limits on industrial emissions of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide are illegal and must be thrown out, opponents told federal judges in Washington. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals today considered challenges to the agency’s rules determining which polluters are covered and when states and industries must comply with regulations curtailing the use of greenhouse gases. ‘The agency crossed the line from statutory interpretation to statutory revision,’ Peter Keisler, a lawyer for the National Association of Manufacturers, told the judges.” Keisler said the agency violated the law when it raised emissions thresholds far above what Congress required.
The Wall Street Journal (3/1, Kendall, Subscription Publication) reports the judges indicated that industry challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s rules face high legal hurdles, thus setting the stage for the rules to go into effect for the 2012 model year.
Reuters (3/1, Volcovici) also covers the story.
Manufacturing Sector Offers Job-Saving Solution In Challenge To EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulations. In a press release, the National Association of Manufacturers (3/1) President and CEO Jay Timmons said, “The EPA’s decision to move forward with the regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources is one of the most costly, complex and far-reaching regulatory issues facing manufacturers and harms their ability to compete globally.” Timmons said, “In an effort to reverse this harmful course and save desperately needed jobs, we presented the Court with a path forward to uphold the EPA’s role based on congressional intent and protect the vast majority of stationary sources from these onerous regulations.” Timmons added, “Policies to address climate change deserve full debate in the US Congress and should foster economic growth, not impose additional burdens on businesses.”
Bloomberg News (2/9, Ohnsman, Higgins) reports Toyota Motor “will end production of Highlander sport-utility vehicles in Japan, consolidating assembly of the model in” a factory in Princeton, Indiana.
The Detroit Free Press (2/9, Snavely) reports, “The decision allows Toyota to expand its North American production of Highlander by 50,000 and export it to other countries, including Russia and Australia.”
The AP (2/9) reports, “Toyota says it will invest $400 million in the factory to build 50,000 more Highlanders per year. The plant built more than 101,000 Highlanders” in 2011. “After the changes, Toyota will be able to build about 255,000 Highlanders a year in Princeton and in China. The Princeton plant in southern Indiana now employs nearly 4,000 people who make Sienna minivans and the Highlander and Sequoia SUVs.”
AFP (2/9) reports, “The firm cited better US market conditions and a drive to produce cars where they are sold. Japanese auto firms have had a rough couple of years, battered by supply chain disruptions caused by Thailand’s floods and the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. But they have also been hit by the record strength of the yen, which makes exports more expensive to foreign buyers.”
The Indianapolis Star (2/9) reports, “Production is expected to begin in late-2013, the Indiana Economic Development Commission said. Production will include a hybrid version. Indiana will provide Toyota up to $2.7 million in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on job creation plans.”
Cedarville Company Awarded New Automotive Technology Contract
By WKTV News
CEDARVILLE, N.Y. – Fermer Precision Inc. company officials announced that the Cedarville-based company has recently been awarded a contract from Wisconsin automotive die casting corporation, JL French Inc., to produce multiple prototypes of a newly-developed automotive components.
Fermer Precision, an ISO-TS 16949:2009 machining facility began machining the highly complex components, which utilize state-of-the-art high pressure aluminum die casting technologies developed by JL French for its automotive, marine, lawn & garden and industrial market segment customers last month, said company Executive Vice President Mark Cushman.
“Fermer is honored to have been selected by a world-leader like JL French to help them successfully launch this critically important program,” said Cushman.
JL French, an industry leader in the development and production of die cast aluminum components and assemblies, has advanced manufacturing facilities located in North America, Europe and Asia employing over 100 high pressure die cast machines, 200 machining centers and 2,000 employees.
Cushman went on to say that this program not only underscores Fermer’s strong reputation for machining components found worldwide on numerous high-volume automotive platforms, but serves to send a strong signal to other industries that “world-class manufacturing is very much alive, well and available from central New York companies like Fermer Precision.”
In July, 2011, Fermer became an affiliate of the Fiber Instrument Sales (FIS) family of premier companies. FIS, a leading manufacturer of communication fiber optic components, test equipment, tool kits and precision injection molded components, is head-quartered in Oriskany, NY. In total, the organization employs over 320 people locally, and exports to some 110 countries world-wide.
OSHA Targets Die Casters in Washington State
This week Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries launched an OSHA Primary Metal Inspection Program targeted at manufacturers. This piggy backs onto the program launched at the federal level by OSHA in May 2011 [OSHA Compliance Directive – http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_03-00-013.pdf] Basically, this is a wall-to-wall inspection program designed for the metals industry (SIC Code 33). Steel mills, smelters, and foundries have been the main focus at the national level. The federal OSHA NEP for Primary Metal did NOT target die casters.
The targeted industries being used in Washington state does include the die casting industry. Here is the link to the state directive – http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/rules/policies/pdfs/dd2430.pdf.
NADCA offers a safety training online class at http://www.diecasting.org/education/online/. OR If you would like a refresher webinar on Safety for your employees and need safety training certification for their files, please contact Daniel Twarog at NADCA – twarog@diecasting.org to discuss.
In an op-ed in the New York Times (2/4, Subscription Publication), Christina D. Romer, an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and former chairwoman of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, wrote, “President Obama, in his State of the Union address, singled out manufacturing for special tax breaks and support. Many go further, by urging trade restrictions or direct government investment in promising industries.” Romer wrote, “The economic rationales for a policy aimed specifically at shoring up manufacturing largely fall into three categories:” Market Failure, Jobs and Income Distribution. Romer goes on to discuss all three in detail and wrote that none “are completely convincing.” Romer wrote that she appreciates “what manufacturing has contributed to the” US, but, “so far, a persuasive case for a manufacturing policy remains to be made, while that for many other economic policies is well established.”
US Manufacturing Activity Grew In January
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2/2, Barrett) reports, “Boosted by an increase in new orders, the production at US factories grew in January at the fastest pace in seven months.”
Bloomberg News (2/2) reports, “The Institute for Supply Management’s index climbed to 54.1, from 53.1 in December, the Tempe, Arizona-based group’s report showed” Wednesday. “The ISM’s new orders measure climbed to 57.6, the highest since April, from 54.8, and the gauge of export orders rose.” Bloomberg News notes, “Manufacturing accounts for about 12 percent of the economy and was at the forefront of the recovery that began in June 2009.”
The AP (2/2, Rugaber) reports, “Consumers are buying more cars and trucks, while businesses ordered more machinery and other equipment. That has driven manufacturing, which expanded for the 30th straight month.”
The Hill (2/1, Needham) “On The Money” blog reported, “Export orders also rose, a sign that US manufacturers haven’t yet been affected by Europe’s slowing economy. Meanwhile, a separate report from the Commerce Department showed that construction spending increased 1.5 percent in December, the fifth straight monthly gain. That pushed spending to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $816.4 billion, the highest level in 20 months.”
OSHA Targets Die Casters in Washington State
This week Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries launched an OSHA Primary Metal Inspection Program targeted at manufacturers. This piggy backs onto the program launched at the federal level by OSHA in May 2011 [OSHA Compliance Directive –
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_03-00-013.pdf]
Basically, this is a wall-to-wall inspection program designed for the metals industry (SIC Code 33). Steel mills, smelters, and foundries have been the main focus at the national level. The federal OSHA NEP for Primary Metal did NOT target die casters.
The targeted industries being used in Washington state does include the die casting industry. Here is the link to the state directive –
http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/rules/policies/pdfs/dd2430.pdf.
NADCA offers a safety training online class athttp://www.diecasting.org/education/online/. OR If you would like a refresher webinar on Safety for your employees and need safety training certification for their files, please contact Daniel Twarog at NADCA – twarog@diecasting.orgto discuss.
CEO Eric Treiber walks out onto the factory floor of Chicago White Metal Casting. Workers are busy making aluminum, zinc and magnesium metal parts for cars, swimming pools and farm equipment
The floor’s a lot louder than it was a few years ago. At Chicago White Metal Casting, revenue is up 4 percent from 2010 — and that year was better than the one before.
To view the rest of this article, click here.
US Factory Output Up In December
The AP (1/19, Wagner) reports, “US factory output surged in December by the most in a year.”
Bloomberg News (1/19, Homan) reports, “Output climbed 0.9 percent last month, the biggest gain since December 2010, according to” the Federal Reserve. “Gains in consumer and business spending, combined with lean inventories, may prompt factories to continue to boost payrolls and hours, bolstering economic growth. Additionally, more demand from emerging markets may help shield American industry from a slowdown in exports to Europe as the region’s financial crisis and a weaker euro threaten to restrain sales.”
On its website, MSNBC (1/19, Schoen) reports, “It remains to be seen whether US manufacturers can keep the momentum going amid signs that the global economy may be headed for a slowdown. Much of the fresh demand for US products is coming from overseas markets, where growth rates are higher than the roughly 2.5 percent domestic growth pace. While other recent data seem to show the pace of manufacturing holding up in the first weeks of 2012, most forecasters expect to see that slowing later this year.”
IndustryWeek (1/19, Cable) reports, “Preliminary indications from January regional manufacturing surveys point to a strong start for US manufacturing in 2012,” but Paul Edelstein, director of financial economics for IHS Global Insight, “worries that the global economy could hold the sector back. ‘The concern is that with China’s latest GDP report showing slower growth and the eurozone slipping back into recession, the US consumer could be the ‘last man standing’ for US manufacturing this year,’ Edelstein said.”
OSHA Targets Die Casters in Washington State
This week Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries launched an OSHA Primary Metal Inspection Program targeted at manufacturers. This piggy backs onto the program launched at the federal level by OSHA in May 2011 [OSHA Compliance Directive –
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_03-00-013.pdf]
Basically, this is a wall-to-wall inspection program designed for the metals industry (SIC Code 33). Steel mills, smelters, and foundries have been the main focus at the national level. The federal OSHA NEP for Primary Metal did NOT target die casters.
The targeted industries being used in Washington state does include the die casting industry. Here is the link to the state directive –
http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/rules/policies/pdfs/dd2430.pdf.
NADCA offers a safety training online class at http://www.diecasting.org/education/online/. OR If you would like a refresher webinar on Safety for your employees and need safety training certification for their files, please contact Daniel Twarog at NADCA – twarog@diecasting.org to discuss.
A three-part cast aluminium bicycle frame for a specialist downhill racing bike has won the Component of the Year 2011 Award in the UK Cast Metals Industry Awards.
Replacing 12 parts using processes including stamping, forming, annealing and bending, and 15 welds the three castings are produced by WH Rowe Ltd of Southampton for Empire Cycles.
“These are highly stressed components due to the high dynamic loading of the frame,” said Constantine Theoharis of WH Rowe. “We knew that, using the sand casting process, we could produce components that would not only withstand the stresses but would also save our customer considerable time and money particularly in the tooling process where the start up costs are particularly high.”
To view the rest of this article, click here.
US Factories Expanded At Fastest Pace In Six Months In December
Bloomberg News (1/4, Willis) reports, “US factories expanded in December at the fastest pace in six months, adding to evidence manufacturing is improving from India to the UK entering 2012. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index climbed to 53.9 last month from 52.7 in November,” ISM’s data showed.
BBC News (1/4) reports, “It was the 29th month in a row that the sector has grown and the latest in a run of positive indicators from the US.”
The AP (1/4, Rugaber) reports, “In the US, factories hired more workers in December, saw the most growth in new orders since April and ramped up production.”
On its website, CNBC (1/4, Domm) reports, “The employment component rose to 55.1 from 51.8 in November, the highest since June. ‘Manufacturing might be a kind of small part of the employment picture, but it’s consistent with some of the other indicators which should show it (December employment) to be a good report,'” J.P. Morgan economist Michael Feroli.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune (1/4, Buchta) reports Bradley Holcomb, chairman of the ISM’s survey committee, “said that with new orders up and prices of raw materials down, ‘manufacturing is finishing out the year on a positive note.'”
CNNMoney (1/4, Isidore) reports, “The ISM survey also found new orders and the backlog of orders growing from November levels. Both are relatively recent turnarounds compared to the longer-term growth in the overall reading.” However, some “economists said it’s important not to read to much into the end of the year strength. Some of it may have been from businesses scrambling to make big ticket purchases before losing a tax break at the end of the year to write off the cost of that investment more quickly.”
The New York Times (12/21, B1, Bunkley, Austen, Subscription Publication) reports, “Chinese-made cars have quietly arrived in North America for the first time, but without the bamboo dashboards and quirky names that have adorned them at recent auto shows.” The “Japanese automaker Honda is crossing the threshold by importing subcompact cars into Canada from one of its plants in China. This month, Honda Canada began receiving its smallest model, the Fit, from China instead of Japan, as part of a strategy to produce more vehicles outside its home country.” The Times notes, “Few car shoppers are likely to notice the change, and there is no expectation that Chinese-made cars are destined for the United States anytime soon.”
Top Award for Cycle Castings
A three-part cast aluminium bicycle frame for a specialist downhill racing bike has won the Component of the Year 2011 Award in the UK Cast Metals Industry Awards.
Replacing 12 parts using processes including stamping, forming, annealing and bending, and 15 welds the three castings are produced by WH Rowe Ltd of Southampton for Empire Cycles.
“These are highly stressed components due to the high dynamic loading of the frame,” said Constantine Theoharis of WH Rowe. “We knew that, using the sand casting process, we could produce components that would not only withstand the stresses but would also save our customer considerable time and money particularly in the tooling process where the start up costs are particularly high.”
To view the rest of this article, click here.
Complete NADCA’s Annual Satisfaction Survey for your Chance to Win an iPod Touch
NADCA’s goal is to help you overcome some of the challenges you face in the die casting industry. We are committed to promoting industry awareness, advocating domestic growth in the global marketplace and creating greater exposure for our members.
We work toward achieving these goals by creating products and services that have significant value to our members. NADCA has created a survey that will give us a better idea of how we can improve/maintain the quality of services and other aspects of NADCA membership. Your feedback is the best way for us to ensure that we are serving our members the best way we can.
Those that take the time to respond will be entered into a drawing to receive an 8GB iPod Touch. The deadline to submit your response is December 31, 2011. Please click here to complete NADCA’s Annual Satisfaction Survey for your chance to win an iPod Touch!
The AP (12/2) reported that after “facing criticism from industry and lawmakers, the Obama Administration on Friday proposed easing rules aimed at reducing toxic air pollution from industrial boilers and incinerators.” The Environmental Protection Agency the new changes would require “pollution controls at the 5,500 largest and most polluting boilers nationwide, such as those at refineries and chemical plants. An additional 195,000 smaller boilers would be able to meet the rule through routine tune-ups.” However, according to the AP, “some industry groups still were not satisfied.” National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons “said in a statement that the boiler rules would still do significant harm to job growth.”
The National Journal (12/3, Harder, Subscription Publication) reported Timmons said in a statement, “This is yet another example of the EPA pursuing an aggressive agenda that is putting jobs at risk and creating uncertainty throughout the economy.” His “comments echo sentiments expressed by congressional Republicans and some Democrats that the rules hinder economic growth.” The Journal noted that Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, “and Timmons urged passage of bipartisan, bicameral legislation pending in Congress that would require EPA to take more time-at least 15 months–to reissue and finalize new rules.”
Platts (12/3, Ward) reported Timmons said, “We will continue to urge the EPA to extend the compliance time frame and consider a more reasonable approach to setting the emission standards to ensure additional jobs are not put at risk.”
In a press release, the National Association of Manufacturers (12/2) Timmons also said, “As long as these rules remain open to court challenges, legislation is needed to give manufacturers more certainty so they can begin to invest and create jobs. The House passed legislation earlier this year, and we strongly encourage the Senate to take a stand for jobs and pass the EPA Regulatory Relief Act as soon as possible. America’s job creators can no longer afford to be saddled with costly, burdensome and unrealistic regulations.”
Manufacturing Growth Accelerated Last Month
The AP (12/1, Rugaber) writes, “Factories are producing more. Construction is growing. Americans are buying more cars. The holiday shopping season is off to a strong start. Normally, all that would suggest a bright outlook for the economy. Problem is, employers still aren’t hiring much, the number of people seeking unemployment benefits remains high and Europe’s debt crisis poses a grave threat to the future.”
The Wall Street Journal (12/2, Mitchell, Subscription Publication) reports the US was just one of a few large economies where manufacturing grew faster in November than in October. In the US, the ISM index rose to 52.7 in November from 50.8 in the previous month. A reading above 50.0 indicates the sector is expanding.
BBC News (12/2) reports, “According to the ISM report, manufacturing sectors that reported growth included textiles, electronics, and food and drinks. Chemicals, transport equipment and machinery were among sectors that contracted.”
Bloomberg News (12/2, Willis) reports, “Corporate purchases of new equipment, export demand, stronger consumer spending during the holidays and leaner inventories lay the groundwork for a pickup in production. At the same time, risk of recession in Europe may restrain US manufacturing, the industry that spurred the recovery.”
Complete NADCA’s Annual Satisfaction Survey for your Chance to Win an iPod Touch
NADCA’s goal is to help you overcome some of the challenges you face in the die casting industry.We are committed to promoting industry awareness, advocating domestic growth in the global marketplace and creating greater exposure for our members.
We work toward achieving these goals by creating products and services that have significant value to our members.NADCA has created a survey that will give us a better idea of how we can improve/maintain the quality of services and other aspects of NADCA membership. Your feedback is the best way for us to ensure that we are serving our members the best way we can.
Those that take the time to respond will be entered into a drawing to receive an 8GB iPod Touch. The deadline to submit your response is December 31, 2011.Please click here to complete NADCA’s Annual Satisfaction Survey for your chance to win an iPod Touch!
There is a resurgence of manufacturing in the United States as the allure of offshore sourcing begins to fade. Several studies released this year by major consulting firms, and articles in a variety of publications have noted the rise in U. S. production. Examples range from Fortune 500 giant Caterpillar Inc. to toy manufacturer Wham-O Inc., which are either expanding operations here, or bringing back production from offshore suppliers. Die casters are seeing a similar trend, with nearly a quarter of NADCA members reporting they gained new business that had previously been sourced offshore.
Resolving the many issues affecting U.S. manufacturing and domestic production is a difficult problem affected by many economic, political and even social factors. The complexity of the issue precludes any quick fixes. But the recent trend to onshore production indicates that many business leaders are beginning to more fully understand all of the ramifications of moving business offshore. To read the complete White Paper on this topic please click here.
Recent Data On US Manufacturing Lessens Concern Of Another Recession
Bloomberg News (11/11, Jackson, Feld) reported, “Machinery stocks may outperform the market through the end of the year as new orders rebound, helping to defy concerns about another US recession.” US “manufacturers booked $32.6 billion in new orders for machinery equipment in September, the most since July 2008, according to data from the Census Bureau released Oct. 26. The Standard & Poor’s Supercomposite Machinery Index, which includes Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Deere & Co. (DE), has gained 26 percent since Oct. 3, while the S&P 500 has risen 13 percent.” Ann Duignan, an analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co., said that “there’s ‘no evidence’ of a collapse in North American manufacturing as shipments still are growing.”
Honda To Expand Production Of Light Trucks, Engines At Alabama Plant
Bloomberg News (11/15, Ohnsman) reports, “Honda Motor Co., Japan’s third- largest automaker, will spend $84 million and hire 100 more workers to expand production of light trucks and engines at its assembly plant in Alabama.” In a statement, Honda said that “the investment will boost annual capacity for the Lincoln, Alabama, plant to 340,000 vehicles and engines by 2013 from 300,000 now.” Bloomberg News notes, “Asian automakers including Honda are expanding output capacity in North America as US sales recover from a recession in 2008 and 2009. Demand for new cars and trucks grew 10 percent this year through October, and most companies and analysts are forecasting total sales of 12.5 million to 13 million vehicles in 2011.”
The AP (11/15) reports, “The $1.5 billion plant began production with the Odyssey minivan. The plant employs about 4,000 people and is the sole North American producer of the Odyssey, the Pilot SUV and the Ridgeline pickup.”
The Birmingham Business Journal (11/15, Poe, Subscription Publication) reports, “The latest investment, which brings Honda’s total investment this year up to $275 million and 140 jobs, is tied to the addition of the Acura MDX luxury SUV to the plant’s production lineup, the company said.”
