Economy

May 2012

Job Openings in U.S. Rise to Highest Level Since 2008
5.8.12, Bloomberg
A tremendous sign of a healthy economy is a hiring economy. March's number of open positions prove to be the highest in four years with manufacturing at the top of the list. Read more...

Industrial Manufacturers Optimistic About U.S. Economy
5.4.12, IMPO
Q1 2012 Manufacturing Barometer, released by PwC, shows that industrial manufacturers are optimistic about the U.S. economy bouncing back, crediting technology as the driving force. Read more...

U.S. Manufacturing Growth Picks Up in April
5.1.12, MarketWatch
ISM's recent index shows manufacturing growth at highest reading since June 2011, indicating a healthy U.S. manufacturing sector. Read more...

American Manufacturing and American Innovation Come Together to Support the Economy
5.1.12, PR Newswire
The Cooley Group, a global leader in manufacturing high-performance membranes, joins economic development representatives to support some of the world's most high profile manufacturing projects and help stimulate the U.S. economy. Read more...

April 2012

Economists Predict Faster Growth in 2012
4.23.12, USA Today
A new survey shows economists are more optimistic about the economy, expecting it to be about 20% stronger than initially predicted in December. Read more...

Survey: U.S. Businesses More Upbeat on Economy
4.23.12, Bloomberg
Nearly 78% of businesses project the U.S. economy will expand more than 2% in 2012, according to the National Association for Business Economics’ April survey. Read more...

Export Growth Brightens U.S. Economic Forecasts
4.12.12, Fox Business
Economists are more optimistic after reports that the U.S. trade deficit shrank 12% in February. Read more...

Manufacturing Orders Continue to Increase
4.09.12, Quality Magazine
February U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $444 million, up 9.3% from January and a 35.2% increase over last year. Read more...

VIDEO: Manufacturing Accelerates in March
4.02.12, Bloomberg
Rising demand for cars and steady capital equipment investments continue to support manufacturing gains last month. Read more...

March 2012

U.S. Factory Output Rises for Third Straight Month
3.16.12, ABC News
Manufacturing production of electronics, energy and electrical equipment increased in February. Read more...

Manufacturing Orders Start 2012 Strong
3.12.12, IndustryWeek
U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $401.69 in January, up 8.4% over 2011, defeating pessimistic forecasts. Read more...

Manufacturers Optimistic Amid Job Growth
3.11.12, Financial Times
The manufacturing sector added 227,000 jobs last year, thanks to reshoring and other positive economic conditions. Read more...

America Still Steers the Global Economy
3.06.12, The Atlantic
Data shows that international markets continue to buck and turn to the rhythm of the U.S. economy. Read more...

February 2012

More Reasons for Optimism in 2012, Economists Say
2.27.12, MSNBC.com
A panel of economists are forecasting an 8.1% uptick in business spending this year, as well as a drop in unemployment next year. Read more...

Spending and Manufacturing Likely Grew in February
2.26.12, Bloomberg
Manufacturing continues to expand, bolstered by higher corporate spending, inventory rebuilding and a rebounding auto industry. Read more...

American Exports Rise Against Expectations
2.13.12, Business Insider
Competitive energy resources and a new manufacturing policy has helped boost exports to 14% of the GDP. Read more...

Strong Gains in Manufacturing Jobs Kick off 2012
2.06.12, USA Today
The industrial sector added 50,000 jobs in January, defying fears that trouble in Europe would thrust the U.S. into a second recession. In addition, economists see other signals that manufacturing activity could continue to pick up throughout the year. Read more...

January 2012

U.S. Manufacturers Expect Revenue Growth in 2012
1.30.12, Automation World
Optimism about the worldwide economy rose in the fourth quarter of 2011, including a notable improvement in sentiment regarding prospects for the U.S. Read more...

Strong Manufacturing Predicted for the Next Eight Years
1.25.12, The News Star
Experts believe that the economy has cost the most jobs in the services sector, rather than in product manufacturing, and that growth trends will continue for the latter. Read more...

Mid-Atlantic Manufacturing Expanding on High Expectations
1.25.12, NASDAQ.com
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is reporting that manufacturers are seeing an increase in shipments and prices paid in January. Read more...

Manufacturing Stands Strong Amid U.S. Economy
1.05.12, New York Times
The U.S. continues to be strong in the manufacture and export of machinery, chemicals and transportation equipment. Read more...

U.S. Factory Orders See Biggest Boost in Four Months
1.04.12, San Francisco Chronicle
Demand for aircrafts, autos and metals bolstered factory bookings, leading to an overall rise of 1.8% in November. Read more...

Metals and Minerals Industry Boasts Strong 2011
1.03.12, Market Watch
Improvements in the steel industry and rising demand for raw material has increased the value of project starts by about 58%. Read more...

December 2011

Total 2011 Manufacturing Demand Strong
12.27.11, MCADCafe
YTD manufacturing orders totaled $463.32 million—the second highest dollar amount in 15 years. In addition, the value of U.S. output has increased by one third. Read more...

U.S. Economy Ends Rough Year on an Upswing
12.21.11, Houston Chronicle
A rebound in hiring, holiday shopping and other factors has economists looking positively at 2012. Read more...

Economic Data Points to Recovery for U.S.
12.15.11, Reuters
A rise in regional factory activity and a drop in jobless claims are just some of the factors indicating the U.S. will see steady growth in 2012. Read more...

Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 80.5% Over 2010
12.12.11, Quality Magazine
Total manufacturing technology orders reached $463.32 million in October, a 20% rise over October 2010. Year-to-date totals were 80.5% higher than the same time last year. Read more...

Exports Boost Helped Shrink U.S. Trade Deficit in October
12.10.11, Los Angeles Times
The nation’s trade deficit reached its lowest levels since December 2010 when it narrowed to $43.5 billion. Read more...

ISM: Manufacturing to Lead Economic Growth in 2012
12.06.11, Bloomberg Businessweek
Purchasing managers at factories anticipate sales will grow 5.5% next year and capital investment will increase 1.9%, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Read more...

Caterpillar Leads Record U.S. Exports
12.06.11, San Francisco Chronicle
Total U.S. exports reached $180.4 billion in September, bolstered by a push into fast-growing emerging markets. Read more...

November 2011

October Trucking Tonnage up on Strong Manufacturing
11.23.11, Daily Markets
ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.5% in October, up 5.7% over last year. Read more...

Manufacturing Production to Outpace U.S. Economy
11.22.11, IndustryWeek
A Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI forecast predicts manufacturing to grow 3.4% in 2012 and 3.8% in 2013. Read more...

Minnesota Manufacturing Boosts Local Economy
11.17.11, Market Watch
State exports were up 9.2% year over year through the third quarter, led largely by machinery and electronics. Read more...

Industrial Production in U.S. Increases More Than Forecast
11.16.11, Bloomberg Businessweek
Buoyed by autos and mining, industrial production rose 0.7% last month, coinciding with a decrease in cost of living and inflation. Read more...

Manufacturing Orders Nearly Double 2010 YTD Totals
11.14.11, Quality Magazine
U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $606.56 million—a 23% increase over August 2011. Year-to-date totals were up almost 92% compared to the same time 2010. Read more...

ISM: Steady Growth for Milwaukee Manufacturing
11.07.11, Milwaukee and Southwest Wisconsin Business Times
October seasonally adjusted Production Manufacturing Index was at 55, according to the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee. The index has shown consistent growth for the past 12 months. Read more...

October 2011

China Losing Manufacturing Jobs to U.S.
10.22.11, Detroit Free Press
Rising gas prices as well as the good old fashioned “Made in America” image is fueling the ongoing trend among U.S. manufacturers to re-shore jobs. Read more...