Manufacturing

May 2012

Locating American Manufacturing: Trends in the Geography of Production
5.9.12, Brookings
The geographic "high-road" approach benefits Americans by providing increased wages giving manufacturers access to a larger and more skilled labor force. 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...

Rise in U.S. Manufacturing Could Benefit Domestic Energy
5.2.12, ETF Research Center
Rapidly growing energy production and declining manufacturing costs makes the U.S. a very attractive home for domestic and foreign manufacturing companies. Could this be the beginning of an Industrial Revolution? 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

Made in America: Global Companies Expand in U.S. Towns
4.30.12, ABC News
Global semiconductor company, Global Foundries, finds a home for new $7 billion factory in small New York town, employing 1,300. Read more...

American Job Shops Report Strong Outlook
4.26.12, Industry Market Trends
Survey shows 78% of job shops (machine shops, plastic molders, metal stampers, die makers and other parts manufacturers) in the U.S. are optimistic about 2012 profitability. Read more...

Auto Parts Manufacturer to Build New $102 Million SC Factory
4.24.12, GoUpstate.com
JTEKT Automotive South Carolina, Inc. will expand its operations with a new facility in Piedmont, SC, creating 80 new jobs. Read more...

Raytheon Wins $106 Million U.S. Navy Contract Modification
4.17.12, Market Watch
Raytheon Co. has been awarded additional work to an existing contract for production of Aegis radar-related equipment. Read more...

Dayton, OH Manufacturer Expanding, Adding 250 Jobs
4.13.12, Dayton Business Journal
Process Equipment Co. will invest $20 million over three years—including $16 million for new equipment—as it works to diversify the industries it serves. Read more...

Michelin Investing $750 Million in SC Tire Factories
4.11.12, Area Development
Michelin North America will expand its Lexington, SC facility and build a new manufacturing plant in Greenville, SC, creating more than 770 jobs. Read more...

Lockheed Martin Secures $1 Billion Navy Helicopter Cockpits and Systems Contract
4.09.12, Washington Technology
The U.S. Navy has charged Lockheed Martin with building hundreds of mission avionics systems for MH-60R and MH-60S SEAHAWK helicopters. 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...

Plant Once Set to Close Now Adding 89 Jobs
4.06.12, The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee
A sudden rise in business activities at Polaris Industries, Inc. is allowing the company to add 89 positions at its Osceola, WI. Read more...

China’s Woes Could Revive Made-in-America Brand
4.04.12, Fox Business
Labor abuses and other concerns are putting renewed focus on the value of manufacturing products in the U.S. 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

CNC Group Adding Capacity with $17.4 Million Plant
3.30.12, American Machinist
Busche Enterprise Division, Inc. will build a new 36,000 sq. ft. machining facility near its headquarters in Albion, IN. The new plant will potentially employ 120 workers. Read more...

Mine Equipment Manufacturer Expands its Sales into China
3.30.12, WDTV.com
West Virginia-based Petitto Mine has signed a sales agreement with Datong Coal Mine Group that could result in selling as much as 100 machines to China over 10 years. Read more...

U.S. Demand for Mechanical Engineers on the Rise
3.28.12, Canadian Manufacturing
Ads for mechanical engineers in the U.S. rose 10% year-over-year in February, approaching levels seen before 2008. Read more...

Manufacturing Drives Texas Job Recovery
3.28.12, Houston Business Journal
Several statewide business indexes and surveys reveal that Texas manufacturing continues to expand faster than the national average, pushing the state unemployment rate to 7.3%. Read more...

Manufacturing Continues to Re-shore Jobs
3.27.12, Chicago Tribune
Companies lured into outsourcing parts or production to China are returning to the U.S. on the promise of cost-effective real estate back home and better productivity from American workers. Read more...

Enbridge to Bring Oil to the Gulf with $4 Billion Oil Sands Pipeline
3.27.12, Canadian Manufacturing
Pipeline builder Enbridge will spend $4 billion to expand existing pipelines connecting Illinois and Oklahoma, as well building new twin pipeline to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Read more...

Report: Durable Goods Orders Grew in February
3.25.12, Bloomberg
Orders for manufactured durable goods rose 3 percent last month, economists speculate, bolstered by automotive manufacturing. Read more...

Volkswagen Creating 800 Jobs at Chattanooga, TN Plant
3.22.12, Detroit Free Press
To keep up with record demand from February orders, Volkswagen will add 800 new jobs at its Passat plant in Chattanooga, TN. This will bring total employment at the plant to more than 3,000. Read more...

Steel Industry Leading Manufacturing Recovery
3.20.12, Market Watch
A new report shows that growth in the steel industry has a ripple effect that supports jobs throughout the manufacturing sector. Read more...

Lockheed Awarded $715 Million Naval Ship Contract
3.20.12, American Machinist
A consortium of more than 700 suppliers, led by Lockheed Martin, will construct two Littoral Combat Ships for the U.S. Navy. Read more...

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...

Which U.S. Cities Have the Most Manufacturing Growth?
3.14.12, 24/7 Wall St.
According to a new Brookings report, U.S. exports, which represent 10.7% of gross domestic product, grew 11% in 2010, the fastest growth since 1997. The bulk of this growth, 75%, came from manufacturing. Read more...

New Email Marketing Service from Thomas Industrial Network Launched
3.13.12, BtoB Online
Studies have shown that 52% of industrial buyers visit supplier websites in response to promotional emails. Now industrial companies have a service geared specifically for their business that can help them with strategy, design, content, tracking and analytics. 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...

Quebec to Spend $30 Million to Establish Electric Bus Manufacturing Industry
3.08.12, The Montreal Gazette
Multiple local companies are being tapped as part of an initiative to position Quebec as an innovation leader in electric bus manufacturing. Read more...

K&B to Build $40 Million Plant in Schriever, LA
3.06.12, Houma Today
A new 200,000 sq. ft. oil pipeline manufacturing facility will create an estimated 50 new jobs. Read more...

Raytheon Earns $79 Million Anti-Rocket Bid
3.05.12, Air & Cosmos
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon with a contract to develop a system that will detect and destroy incoming rockets. Read more...

Exports Are Key to Boosting Jobs
3.02.12, Market Watch
What's sometimes missed in stories about globalization is the exceptionally high regard the rest of the world has for American products. Read more...

February 2012

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...

Forecast: U.S. Exports to China to Outpace Imports
2.21.12, The Journal of Commerce
An HSBC forecast says U.S. exports to China will rise by 7.1%, while imports will grow by only 4.3%. Read more...

500 New Manufacturing Jobs Could Come to Windsor, ON
2.23.12, CBC News
Electric bus manufacturer BYD is in final negotiations with the city of Windsor, ON, Canada, to domestically build 500 vehicles for use throughout the country. Read more...

Video: American Workers More Productive Than Overseas
2.22.12, ABC News
Factories and offices are emptying out in China and India as companies bring jobs back to the U.S. to take advantage of cost-effective real estate and better productivity. Read more...

Manufacturing at Center of Ohio’s Rebound
2.21.12, Middletown Journal
Industrial businesses account for one in every 10 jobs in Ohio, and the state is home to more than 2,400 jobs. Read more...

Myth of Declining U.S. Manufacturing Debunked
2.20.12, Centre Daily
While a comparatively small portion of consumer goods are made in the U.S., American-made capital and industrial products are on the rise. Read more...

Construction Begins on $200 Million Caterpillar Plant
2.19.12, American Machinist
Caterpillar will hire 1,400 workers for a new facility being built in Athens, GA, which will produce small track tractors and mini-hydraulic excavators. Read more...

U.S. Industrial Output Makes Biggest Gains in Six Months
2.15.12, Bloomberg Businessweek
Production at factories, mines and utilities rose 0.7% in January on capital equipment investments and inventory replenishing. Read more...

GE Aviation Investing $580 Million in Evendale, OH
2.13.12, Cincinnati.com
As part of an initiative to jumpstart innovation, GE will hire more than 5,000 military veterans and double the number of engineering interns across all its businesses. Read more...

Nucor Steel Memphis to Increase Production by 25%
2.13.12, Commercial Appeal
A $113 million investment in both real estate and capital equipment will add 27 jobs and boost production capacity at the former Birmingham Steel Corp. plant. Read more...

Overseas Outsourcing No Easy Road for Small Manufacturers
2.07.12, Los Angeles Times
Even among those companies that manage to find savings in overseas sourcing, logistics and management challenges create headaches and hazards less commonly encountered when dealing with domestic suppliers. 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...

Lockheed Martin Awarded $921 Million Missile Contract
2.01.12, American Machinist
The U.S. Army will partner with Lockheed Martin to produce components for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment for use stateside in 2012 and follow-on sale to Taiwan. Read more...

GM to Provide 1,200 CNG Vans for AT&T
2.01.12, St. Louis Business Journal
GM’s Wentzville, MO plant will build Chevrolet Express compressed-natural gas-powered cargo vans for AT&T as part of the latter’s $565 million investment in alternative fuel vehicles. Read more...

January 2012

1,600 New Manufacturing Jobs at IL Chrysler Plant
1.30.12, International Business Times
Following a 26% increase in sales in 2011, Chrysler has added extra shifts at its Belvidere, IL facility to meet demand. Read more...

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...

GE Aviation Venture Lands $2.9 Billion Engine Deal
1.25.12, Business Courier
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has ordered 122 narrow-body airplanes from Boeing, for which GE Aviation unite CFM International is the exclusive supplier of 737 engines. Read more...

Boat Manufacturer Re-shores 71 Jobs in NC
1.26.12, WNCT
Gunboat Co. will invest more than $1.8 million in a new shipyard in Raleigh, NC to meet the growing demand for high-end sailboats. 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...

Auto Part Plant Reopened in Rootstown, OH
1.22.12, Akron Beacon Journal
Cleveland-based conglomerate Park-Ohio has invested $4.2 million in the former Ravenna Aluminum plant and re-hired 160 workers. Read more...

10 Reason Material Handling Equipment Makers Feel Good About 2012
1.20.12, Material Handling and Logistics
New orders for material handling equipment, which grew an estimated 15.2% in 2011, will continue to grow 8% in 2012 and 12% in 2013 according to a new forecast. Read more...

Why American Manufacturing is Making a Comeback
1.19.12, The Motley Fool
A collapsing Euro and changing conditions in Asia are giving the manufacturing advantage back to U.S. companies. Read more...

Kestrel Bringing up to 600 Jobs to Superior, WI
1.16.12, WDIO.com
Plans to build a K-350 in Wisconsin, along with construction of a new, permanent production facility, will bring between 300 and 600 jobs to the region. Read more...

TV Manufacturing Returns to U.S.
1.16.12, Circuits Assembly
A pair of Midwestern U.S. companies have hired 100 workers to build new lines of flat-screen TVs, beginning in March. Read more...

Label Manufacturing Industry Growing in North America
1.05.12, Labels & Labeling
Digital printing is driving growth of the label market in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Read more...

Export Driving Manufacturing Regions’ Growth
1.13.12, Canada.com
Industrial exports far surpassed recent expectations, brightening Canada’s job market, particular Quebec and Ontario, where manufacturing is strong. Read more...

Daimler Trucks Adding 1,100 Manufacturing Jobs in Cleveland, NC
1.12.12, Commercial Carrier Journal
New demand orders have led to the recall of 1,100 workers laid off in 2009 at the Freightliner Truck manufacturing plant. Read more...

America Trumps China for Auto Market Sales and Profits
1.11.12, Bloomberg
U.S. vehicle sales are growing by as much as 10%, while the auto markets in China, India and Brazil cool off. Deliveries are expected to rise by 5.6% this year. Read more...

EADS Awarded $212 Million Army Helicopter Contract
1.10.12, Market Watch
EADS North America will produce 39 UH-72A Light Utility Helicopters for the U.S. Army. The vehicles will be built at the firm’s facility in Columbus, MS. Read more...

Auto Parts Plant Expansion to Bring 188 Jobs to Clinton, TN
1.09.12, WBIR
Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Inc., announced a $64 million expansion, adding 100,000 sq. ft. of space and 188 jobs. Read more...

2012 Poised to be Banner Year for Robotics
1.06.12, Robotics Online
The automotive sector bolstered robotics orders in 2011, and its continued success should help 2012 surpass those numbers. 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...

Electric Motor Manufacturer Adds 166 jobs in NC
1.04.12, Charlotte Observer
Baldor Electric Co. will invest $17 million in renovating a 30 acre manufacturing plant in Shelby, NC to accommodate growing demand for wind-powered technology. Read more...

December Manufacturing Grows Fastest in 6 Months
1.03.12, USA Today
U.S. manufacturing has expanded for more than two years now, and industrial hiring is picking up steam. 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...

GE Transportation Investing $72 Million in PA Facility
12.27.11, Market Watch
Accelerating demand for diesel engine remanufacturing services has caused GE Transportation in build a new plant in Grove City, PA, creating 150 jobs. Read more...

U.S. Steel Growth to be Lead by Autos, Energy in 2012
12.22.11, IndustryWeek
The U.S. steel industry grew strongly in 2011, although full recovery is not expected until 2013. Read more...

Deere & Co. to Invest $85 Million in Des Moines Plant Expansion
12.19.11, The Sacramento Bee
John Deere Des Moines Works will undergo a 300,000 sq. ft. expansion to increase capacity and add new equipment. Read more...

Raytheon Wins $685.7 Million Bid for Taiwan Missile System
12.16.11, Market Watch
Taiwan has ordered additional fire units of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System from Raytheon. Read more...

Shale Gas Reserves Could Create 1 Million Jobs
12.14.11, Pittsburgh Business Times
A new report claims that developing domestic shale gas reserves has the potential to save U.S. manufacturers billions of dollars in energy costs and employ 1 million more workers Read more...

Boeing Grabs $19 Billion “Launch” Order
12.14.12, American Machinist
Southwest Airlines has ordered 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets, making it the “launch customer” for the new fuel-efficient engine variant of the 737 aircraft. Read more...

Manufacturers More Optimistic
12.13.11, IndustryWeek
72% of manufacturers are expecting sales to increase, according to the Q4 NAM/IndustryWeek Survey of Manufactures. 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...

Lockheed Martin Receives $4 Billion Dollar Fighter Jet Contract
12.10.11, eWire Informer
The U.S. Navy has ordered 30 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp. The $4 billion contract is one of the costliest the Pentagon has ever made. 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...

New Plant to Create 100 Jobs in Southern MN
12.06.11, Twin Cities Business
Ohio-based Chart Industries, Inc. will open a new 141,000 sq.ft. liquefied natural gas factory in Owatonna, MN, in response to increased demand. Read more...

Chrysler Leads Strong U.S. Auto Sales in November
12.04.11, Yahoo! News
The Detroit 3, led by Chrysler, saw double digit sales growth last month thanks in part to pent up demand and financing incentives. Read more...

November 2011

Thomas Industrial Network One of "10 to Watch"
11.28.11, ThomasNet News
Research and advisory firm Outsell, Inc. describes Thomas Industrial Network as a “spry and agile tech company” in recognition of its numerous offerings, which address industrial businesses’ sales and marketing challenges. Read more...

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...

Michigan Auto Supplier Announces $20.47 Million Expansion
11.22.11, mlive.com
ADAC Plastics has announced a 70,000 sq. ft. expansion of its Muskego, MI facility, potentially creating 130 new jobs. Read more...

New Auto Parts Supplier Opens in Mississippi
11.18.11, WTVA.com
Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi, chief suppliers to Toyota’s U.S. operations, has officially opened its doors with a workforce of 340. Read more...

$21.7 Billion Order is Largest in Boeing’s History
11.17.11, IndustryWeek
Indonesia’s Lion Air has agreed to purchase 230 Boeing 737 jets, making history as the largest ever order for the manufacturer. Read more...

Packaging Machinery Shipments Rise 12%
11.17.11, Material Handling & Logistics
Largely supported by the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, 2010 U.S. packaging machinery shipments reached $5.5 billion, a 12% increase from 2009. Read more...

Chrysler to Create 1,100 Jobs with Ohio Expansion
11.16.11, New York Times
Chrysler Group LLC has announced a $1.7 billion investment to develop a new Jeep SUV and upgrade its Toledo Assembly Complex. 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...

Honda Investing an Additional $84 Million in Alabama Plant
11.15.11, Automotive Business Review
Following a previously announced $275 million investment, Honda recently revealed plans for an additional $84 million expansion of its Alabama facility for the production of light trucks and engines. 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...

Caterpillar to Bring More Than 1,000 Jobs Back to U.S.
11.14.11, American Machinist
Newly announced plans to build a small tractors and hydraulic excavators plant in the U.S. will re-shore more than 1,000 jobs currently fulfilled in Japan. Read more...

Industrial Gas Supplier Opens New California Plant
11.08.11, Industrial Heating
Air Liquide Industrial announced the start up of a new air separation unit at its facility in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, doubling the company’s workforce. Read more...

ETM Manufacturing Quadrupling MA Operations
11.08.11, Market Watch
A $500,000 renovation of ETM Manufacturing’s Littleton, MA facility will expand its footprint by 43,000 sq. ft. in response to demand from New England OEMs. Read more...

Conveyor Orders on the Rise
11.07.11, Material Handling & Logistics
September 2011 booked orders were up 35% over August, and shipments were up 30% over September 2010. Read more...

Vigor Marine Awarded $14.2 Million U.S. Navy Bid
11.01.11, Portland Business Journal
Portland, OR-based Vigor Marine will overhaul the submarine tender USS Frank Cable for the U.S. Navy. The job includes a $20 million option for additional repairs. Read more...