News Archive

Manufacturing news

October 2002

Midwest manufacturing slows down

Midwest manufacturing experienced a contraction in October, according to the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago index, which dropped to 45.9, the lowest level since January.
31 Oct 2002 21:15

NAM says 3Q economic growth due to auto sale incentives

The Commerce Department’s advance report indicated that the economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1% for the third quarter of 2002, a major improvement over the 1.3% increase in the second quarter.
31 Oct 2002 18:38

Auto manufacturers to make Covisint products standard

In an effort to minimize confusion and complexity for automotive manufacturers worldwide, top executives from DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and General Motors are petitioning for three Covisint products to become standard: Covisint Auction, Covisint AQP (advanced quality planner), and Covisint Catalog.
30 Oct 2002 21:24

Boeing division to cut 1,200 jobs

Seattle-based Boeing Company announced a workforce reduction of 1,200 employees from the Shared Services division to be effective January 1st, 2003.
30 Oct 2002 21:30

US Labor Department releases September layoff report

Over 1,060 mass layoff actions were documented in September, according to a report issued by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau Statistics.
30 Oct 2002 18:14

Dell and EMC strengthen storage partnership

Dell Computer announced plans to strengthen its partnership with EMC, the largest data storage company in the world, by agreeing to manufacture a new low-end data storage device called the Dell/EMC Cx200.
29 Oct 2002 21:33

US durable goods drop 5.9% in September

New orders for durable goods decreased 5.9% in September, according to the Commerce Department’s advance report on durable goods.
29 Oct 2002 22:24

US leading indicators fall 0.2%

The Index of Leading Economic Indicators dropped for the fourth consecutive month in September to 111.6, down 0.2% from August.
24 Oct 2002 21:22

Companies strengthen US-China trade relations

US Commerce Secretary Donald Evans witnessed the signing of several trade agreements this week between China and the US to promote trade relations in the petrochemical, telecommunications, and energy sectors.
23 Oct 2002 22:39

3M earnings rise 38%

3M, a global diversified manufacturer, posted gains of 38% for the third quarter due to an increase of sales outside the US and the success of its cost-cutting initiatives, the company said Monday.
22 Oct 2002 21:59

Textron to cut 2,000 jobs

Textron announced plans to cut another 2,000 jobs, despite posting third-quarter earnings that matched Wall Street forecasts.
19 Oct 2002 21:24

Delphi wins $2.5B Renault contract

Delphi Corporation has been awarded a contract valued at $2.5 billion to supply advanced common rail diesel injection systems to Renault, a leading European automotive manufacturer.
18 Oct 2002 21:28

Manufacturing weakens in September

According to the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) latest report, economic activity declined in the manufacturing sector during September, marking an end to seven months of continued growth.
17 Oct 2002 11:01

DaimlerChrysler strike appears likely

Members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have threatened to strike at DaimlerChrysler’s Windsor, Ontario plant if their jobs are not made secure after the plant shutdown.
16 Oct 2002 21:27

Maytag closes Illinois refrigeration plant

Maytag Appliances has announced its intention to close its Galesburg, Illinois refrigeration products facility.
14 Oct 2002 21:43

Boeing vacates seven facilities

The Boeing Company has announced that it will vacate seven buildings in its Everett, Wash. duct and tube plant.
11 Oct 2002 21:42

Bush orders that ports re-open

The US has called a freeze on the port stoppage that started 10 days ago due to labor disputes.
10 Oct 2002 21:46

LA introduces fuel cell car to US

Los Angeles will be the first US retail customer of the fuel cell car, according to a recent announcement from Jim Hahn, the city’s mayor.
09 Oct 2002 21:46

Unemployment drops in September

Unemployment decreased to 5.6% last month, according to the Labor Department’s latest report.
09 Oct 2002 21:45

Chrysler adds third shift to truck plant

Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers announced the addition of a third shift to its production line at its Warren Truck Assembly plant in Warren, Mich.
08 Oct 2002 21:36

Nuvera supplies fuel cell stacks to Fiat Research

Cambridge-based Nuvera Fuel Cells announced it has sold nine proton exchange fuel cell stacks to the Fiat Research Center in Italy, following the successful demonstration of Fiat’s fuel cell vehicle, the Seicento Elettra H2, of over 1,860 miles.
08 Oct 2002 21:25

Evans to lead US-Russian energy mission

US Commerce Secretary Donald Evans announced he will be joined by major US oil and gas companies in Russia next year to develop new business partnerships and opportunities.
06 Oct 2002 21:32

Manufacturing levels off in August

New figures from the Department of Commerce show the US economy as remaining resilient.
06 Oct 2002 21:33

Port shutdown may have economic ramifications

Labor disputes have caused 29 West Coast ports to shut down operations this week, and economic analysts fear the ramifications could be staggering.
04 Oct 2002 11:12

September production declines

September’s overall manufacturing performance scored lower than usual on the Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Manager’s index (PMI).
04 Oct 2002 11:19

Goodrich finalizes TRW Aeronautical purchase

The Goodrich Corporation, a leading supplier of aerospace parts and systems, has finalized its $1.5 billion procurement of TRW Inc.’s Aeronautical Systems businesses, consisting of 6,200 employees and 22 facilities.
03 Oct 2002 21:17

United Defense wins two Navy contracts

US Navy Shipbuilding and Repair has awarded Norshipco, a division of United Defense, two multi-year, multi-ship contracts for $90 million.
03 Oct 2002 21:15

Auto suppliers meet to discuss steel tariffs

Automotive supplier executives are meeting today in Washington to discuss the impact of the Steel Safeguard Program on domestic manufacturing.
02 Oct 2002 20:28

EU to hold off on steel tariffs

The European Union has decided to delay seeking $350 million in steel trade sanctions against the US.
02 Oct 2002 20:29

Indexes show manufacturing decline

The Institute of Supply Management’s PMI index decreased 1%, going from 50.5 in August to 49.5% in September.
02 Oct 2002 20:27

BMW to increase plant capacity

BMW announced plans to invest $400 million and add 400 new jobs at its 10-year old Spartanburg, South Carolina facility.
01 Oct 2002 21:16

US manufacturers invest globally

Despite current economic difficulties, US manufacturers made $36 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) in 2001, only 18% less than the FDI of $44 billion in 2000, according to Globalizing Through Turbulence: Global Investment Trends of US Manufacturers, released by Deloitte Research earlier this week.
01 Oct 2002 21:17

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