Manufacturing news
June 2002
Boeing team wins Army tactile radio contract
The US Army’s Communications-Electronics Command recently awarded the Boeing team a contract to develop the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), a series of software reprogrammable radios that will greatly improve simultaneous voice, video, and data communications capabilities for varied mission requirements.
28 Jun 2002 21:31
Lockheed-Northrop Team Wins $11 Billion Coast Guard Contract
The US Coast Guard awarded Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a conglomerate of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, the $11 billion Deepwater Recapitalization contract at a ceremony in Washington DC this week.
27 Jun 2002 21:06
Nissan Expands Factory Plans
Nissan announced recently that it is expanding its plans for the Canton, Mississippi manufacturing car plant. The revised plans include 1,300 new jobs and an increase in annual production to 400,000 vehicles a year. The plant will open in the spring of 2003.
25 Jun 2002 21:35
Secretary Evans Explores Trade in Mexico
US Commerce Secretary Evans has recently embarked on the first business development mission to Mexico during the Bush administration. Evans was accompanied by 14 US businesses to explore trade opportunities in the manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, IT, environmental, and medical sectors.
25 Jun 2002 21:07
GM Improves Advanced Vehicle Development Operations
After proving more efficient than Ford in the 2002 Harbour Report on manufacturing efficiency, GM has announced a new initiative to maintain that role by reducing advanced vehicle development (AVD) time through improving productivity, eliminating bureaucracy, and focusing its decision making process.
24 Jun 2002 21:03
Trade deficit breaks $35.9 billion
The US trade deficit reached a record high of $35.9 billion in April, according to the Commerce Department, far surpassing the experts forecast of $33 billion for that month. The deficit is 10.7% higher than March’s $32.5 billion tally.
21 Jun 2002 8:30
Goodrich buys TRW aerospace division
Goodrich Corporation has just announced plans to buy TRW Inc.’s Aeronautical Systems business unit for $1.5 billion.
20 Jun 2002 8:56
First Index and NTMA announce joint venture
First Index and National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) announced Friday that they have formed a partnership to help NTMA members gain more business online.
17 Jun 2002 9:22
Warehousing plays key role in inventory management
A study recently conducted by the Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech revealed that warehouse and logistics management plays a key role in inventory levels.
14 Jun 2002 9:03
More signs of economic pick-up
Another round signs of a possible economic recovery appeared early this week, with inventory levels declining, factory job cuts slowing, and an increase in the Chicago Feds’s Midwest Manufacturing Index, which rose 4 per cent in April.
13 Jun 2002 8:57
Machine tool consumption down 8pc in April
US machine tool demand dropped 8% in April, according to a study released Sunday by the American Machine Tool Distributor’s Association (AMTDA) and the Association of Manufacturing Technology.
11 Jun 2002 8:29
Unemployment rates dropped in May
According to a Labor Department report on Friday, the US unemployment rate has dropped to 5.8 per cent from 6.0 per cent in April.
10 Jun 2002 8:45
Secretary Evans promotes trade on US grassroots tour
Earlier this week, US Commerce Secretary Donald Evans embarked on a nationwide tour to promote the benefits of expanded trade at the grassroots level.
07 Jun 2002 9:23
HP restructures following merger
In the wake of HP’s $18.7 billion purchase of Compaq, the new HP conglomerate plans to cut about 10 per cent of its workforce and increase cost-saving initiatives, bracing itself for what could be a significant loss in annual revenue.
06 Jun 2002 8:24
Chrysler collaborates with suppliers to lower paint emissions
In a joint effort, DuPont and Chrysler have developed a clear-coat paint that reduces emissions by 25 per cent.
05 Jun 2002 8:37
ISM activity index highest since May 2000
According to a report issued by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Monday, activity in the manufacturing sector has increased in May for the fourth consecutive month.
05 Jun 2002 8:35
Productivity rating highest in 19 years
The Labor Department reported Friday that productivity ratings escalated to 8.4pc during the first quarter of 2002.
05 Jun 2002 8:36
Better Asset ROI on Tap for Saint-Gobain Containers
Saint-Gobain Containers, a $1.35 billion supplier of glass containers to the food and beverage industries, is rolling out Datastream’s 7i enterprise asset management software in all 18 of their US plants.
01 Jun 2002 9:48
Cooper Tire lowers logistics costs with SCM software
Late last month, Cooper Tire & Rubber announced the deployment of supply chain management and transportation software from i2 Technologies.
01 Jun 2002 9:50
Economic rebound seen in latest purchasing and consumer figures
Data released by a number of sources at the end of last month indicates the beginning of a sound economic recovery.
01 Jun 2002 9:46
Evans: Final trade promotion bill needed for sustained growth
Final gross domestic product estimates released late last month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed an increase of 5.6% in the first quarter of 2002.
01 Jun 2002 9:47
Manufacturers score low on workforce commitment, study shows
A study conducted by Aon Consulting shows that only 50% of manufacturing workers would recommend their organization as one of the best places to work, and 36% are not satisfied that their organization is doing enough to create a stress-free work environment.
01 Jun 2002 9:51