News Archive

Manufacturing news

January 2003

Baroody tells Senate Budget Committee US manufacturers need help

Michael Baroody, executive VP of the National Association of Manufacturers, met with the Senate Budget Committee to stress that the recent economic recession has taken its greatest toll on manufacturers, urging Congress to further encourage economic growth to boost US manufacturers.
29 Jan 2003 18:49

US Steel sees increase in returns with tariffs

Because of the steel tariffs instituted last March by the Bush Administration, US Steel reported a fourth quarter return in profit of $12 million, versus its net losses of $174 million the year before.
29 Jan 2003 14:48

Durable goods increase 0.2%

Manufacturer’s new orders for durable goods increased 0.2% during December, following a revised drop in November of 1.3%, the Commerce Department stated in its latest report.
28 Jan 2003 22:31

NAM and E&Y release e-business in manufacturing report

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Ernst & Young released their latest collaborative report on the state of e-business in manufacturing that showed despite the recession, e-business continues to grow stronger in business and spending applications.
28 Jan 2003 22:46

Hyundai to build next-generation proving ground

Hyundai Motors announced plans to build a $50 million proving ground for next-generation Hyundai and Kia vehicles to be run by the Hyundai American Technical Center in California City, California.
27 Jan 2003 20:09

US Dollar loses ground, gold and oil rise

Fear of possible war sent the US dollar to its lowest value in three years this week at $1.0843 per euro, versus last week’s $1.0746.
27 Jan 2003 22:07

Rolls Royce engine maintenance program exceeds $124M in orders in 2002

Rolls Royce announced that its CorporateCare Program, designed to offer aftermarket aircraft engine support, received over $124 million in booked orders and approximately 34 new customers in 2002.
24 Jan 2003 16:33

NAM says investment is critical to economic recovery

Following the Federal Reserve’s latest report that leading economic indicators grew 0.1% in December, the National Association of Manufacturers says the key to a strong economic recovery is an increase in business investment.
23 Jan 2003 22:07

Toyota tops the ‘green’ auto charts

At the fourth annual Automotive Environmental Superiority (AMES) Awards held in Michigan, Toyota beat out the competition for the third year, winning 11 awards for outstanding environmental technology and design.
23 Jan 2003 19:04

ArvinMeritor to close Tenn. facility, layoff 300 employees

Troy, Mich.-based ArvinMeritor, a global auto component manufacturer, announced plans to close its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) manufacturing plant in Gordonsville, Tenn and to lay off approximately 300 salaried employees.
22 Jan 2003 16:24

Small US manufacturers gain congressional support

The House Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary Appropriations Committee introduced a bill requesting that $110 million be allocated in 2003 to The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, according to the Modernization Forum, MEP’s trade association.
22 Jan 2003 15:05

Ford ranked US best-selling brand 16 years running

Ford was ranked as the best selling automotive brand in the US for the 16th consecutive year, and it experienced a $1.7 billion improvement in operating results during the 2002 fiscal year, according to the company.
21 Jan 2003 19:48

NAM says labor and management should work together

Health care costs are not only rising for employees but management too, and the National Association of Manufacturers’ director of employment policy, Neil Trautwein, says labor and management should work “hand-in-hand” to combat inflating health care costs.
21 Jan 2003 2:03

New Mitsubishi Endeavor rolls off country’s most flexible line

The first Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV rolled off the production line last week at the company’s plant in Normal, Illinois, the country’s most flexible auto plant.
20 Jan 2003 20:35

Fed study shows drop in production

The Federal Reserve stated in its latest report that US production fell 0.2% during December due to a drop in auto production, and usable capacity in operation was reported to have fallen 75.4%, its lowest level since March 2002.
17 Jan 2003 21:08

Rolls Royce gains $34M propulsion support contract

Rolls Royce has entered into a $34 million contract with NAVAIR to provide logistics support for the Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 engines located on the United States Marine Corps KC-130J tanker aircraft.
17 Jan 2003 20:35

General Dynamics awarded US Navy submarine contract modification

General Dynamics’ Electric Boat division has been awarded a $51 million contract modification by the US Navy for its work on nuclear submarines.
16 Jan 2003 20:36

Jones Apparel to close facilities

Jones Apparel Group, a leading clothing manufacturer, has announced it will take a fourth-quarter charge of $25.5 million to close its Sun Apparel manufacturing plants in Torreon, Mexico and its warehousing and administrative facilities in El Paso, Texas.
16 Jan 2003 22:02

Raytheon awarded $20M Naval Sea Systems contract

Raytheon has been chosen to develop the Combat Control Systems CCS Mk2 Weapon Control System by the Naval Sea Systems Command in a contract worth currently $20 million with potential to reach as much as $205 million over a four-year period.
15 Jan 2003 17:26

Toyota reaches 2002 North American production record

Toyota has announced plans to expand its manufacturing presence in North America after hitting its production target for 1.2 million vehicles and approximately 1.35 million engines and transmissions in 2002.
15 Jan 2003 23:56

GE workers strike over increased health costs

Approximately 17,500 General Electric employees started a strike today from 48 locations in 23 states against the company’s sudden spike in employee health care co-pays, according to a statement by The International Union of Electronic Workers/Communications Workers of America officials.
14 Jan 2003 20:56

NAM says unemployment at crisis level

US manufacturing lost another 65,000 jobs during December 2002, and overall payroll employment dropped by 101,000, according to a recent Labor Department report.
14 Jan 2003 22:49

Auto manufacturers team up for common environmental standards

Thirteen of the world’s leading passenger car and light truck manufacturers from Japan, Europe, and the US will collaborate this year to encourage governments to adopt the Global Technical Regulations, or a common set of environmental and safety standards, according to the latest Japan Auto Trends newsletter.
13 Jan 2003 21:59

NAM supports Bush’s investment incentive plan

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has expressed support for President Bush’s economic stimulus plan that will encourage more aggressive investments in stock and new capital investments by business.
13 Jan 2003 21:01

US Steel to acquire National Steel assets

US Steel Corporation has agreed to acquire the bulk of National Steel Corporation’s steelmaking and finishing assets for approximately $750 million.
10 Jan 2003 19:34

Delco Remy to close Anderson, Ind. operations

Delco Remy, a global automotive manufacturer, will be closing its Delco Remy America starter and alternator operations in Anderson, Indiana during the first quarter of 2003, with production to be taken on by other global Delco Remy plants.
08 Jan 2003 22:07

Honda invests $30M in North Carolina engine plant

Honda Power Equipment (HPE) has announced plans to add a third production line and make other improvements at its Swepsonville, NC plant to meet growing product demand, an investment worth approximately $30 million.
08 Jan 2003 21:35

Ford’s December sales rise 8.2%

Ford Motor Company announced an increase in sales of 8.2% when customers in the US bought or leased 304,293 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover dealers in December 2002.
06 Jan 2003 22:23

GE workers plan strike over increased health costs

Due to a recent spike in the share of medical costs to be paid by its employees, workers at General Electric are planning a strike at the national level.
06 Jan 2003 21:27

Durable goods drop in November

Contrary to economists’ predictions of a healthy 0.8% gain in November, orders for durable goods dropped approximately 1.4%, according to a recent Commerce Department report.
02 Jan 2003 18:58

Durable goods drop in November

Contrary to economists’ predictions of a healthy 0.8% gain in November, orders for durable goods dropped approximately 1.4%, according to a recent Commerce Department report.
02 Jan 2003 18:57

GDP up slightly

Preliminary figures released by the Department of Commerce today indicate that gross domestic product increased 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2002.
01 Jan 2003 19:01

It’s time for a trading partner standard

Manufacturers who are not at least considering a trading partner collaboration program such as CPFR (collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment) are missing out on an enormous opportunity to improve their business.
01 Jan 2003 9:57

Large turnout expected at ProMat

More than 40,000 manufacturing professionals are expected at next month’s ProMat material handling show at McCormick Place in Chicago.
01 Jan 2003 10:04

NAM members to gather in Washington

NAM’s Manufacturers’ Week in Washington: 72 Hours to Educate and Celebrate takes place February 11 to 13 and will include NAM’s Congressional Awards Reception.
01 Jan 2003 21:06

National Steel accepts offer from AK Steel

National Steel has signed a purchase agreement with AK Steel for the company’s assets.
01 Jan 2003 16:43

North Carolina factory explosion kills three

Early Wednesday afternoon, a plastic factory in Kinston, North Carolina was the site of an explosion that killed three people and injured 37.
01 Jan 2003 14:21

OSHA and ASSE form alliance to promote worker safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) have joined together in a formal alliance to promote worker safety and health with a focus on reducing ergonomics-related injuries.
01 Jan 2003 10:02

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