Manufacturing news
November 2003
Durable goods orders, shipments and inventories up
New orders for durable goods in October were up 3.3 percent from September, while shipments and inventories also showed gains, according to a report from the US Department of Commerce released today.
26 Nov 2003 16:58
Initial unemployment claims, layoffs decrease
According to a report released today by the US Department of Labor, initial jobless claims dropped last week, bolstered by reports of decreased layoffs in the manufacturing, textile and construction industries.
26 Nov 2003 17:35
GDP increases in third quarter, exports increase
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased considerably in the third quarter to an annual rate of 8.2 percent, the US Department of Commerce reported today.
25 Nov 2003 19:02
Kerry introduces manufacturing assistance legislation
US Senator John Kerry (D-MA), ranking member of the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and a Presidential candidate, introduced three manufacturing assistance bills last week.
24 Nov 2003 18:19
October regional and state unemployment figures stable
According to report released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, regional and state unemployment rates were generally unchanged or slightly lower in October.
21 Nov 2003 20:01
Mass layoffs drop in third quarter; layoffs continue even as jobless claims decline
Mass layoffs declined significantly in the third quarter, according to a report released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, but manufacturing layoffs continue, even as overall initial jobless claims dropped last week.
20 Nov 2003 22:00
Housing construction on the rise
The US Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau reported rises today in housing construction starts and completions during the month of October.
19 Nov 2003 19:04
WestPoint Stevens lays off 300 from Alabama plant
Bed-linen manufacturer WestPoint Stevens, a manufacturer of the Martha Stewart and Joe Boxer bed and bath lines, announced today that it will implement a layoff at its Lanier Plant, in Valley, AL.
18 Nov 2003 16:55
Manufacturing shipments, inventories increase
The Census Bureau of the US Department of Commerce reported today that manufacturers’ and trade sales and inventories increased in September.
17 Nov 2003 17:12
United Plastics Group closes two US plants
Westmont, IL-based United Plastics Group, Inc. (UPG), a leading manufacturer of plastic injection molded products, today announced the closure of its injection molding plants in Bensenville, IL and Guadalajara, Mexico, which primarily serviced local electronics customers.
14 Nov 2003 18:01
Initial jobless claims rise, manufacturing layoffs continue
Initial jobless claims rose last week, according to a report released today by the US Department of Labor, tempering assertions that the US employment situation is improving.
13 Nov 2003 18:35
US trade gap widens
The US Department of Commerce announced today that total September exports of $86.2 billion and imports of $127.4 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $41.3 billion, $1.8 billion more than the revised $39.5 billion figure in August.
13 Nov 2003 21:33
Boeing sells 30 planes to China for $1.7 billion
The Boeing Company today confirmed that China Aviation Supply Company has finalized its agreement to purchase 30 Next-Generation 737 airplanes worth approximately $1.7 billion.
12 Nov 2003 22:05
General Dynamics awarded $6.9 million US Navy contract
The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a unit of Falls Church, VA-based General Dynamics, a $6.9 million contract to provide attack weapon control system trainers.
11 Nov 2003 19:17
WTO court rules that steel tariffs violate agreement
The World Trade Organization's Appelate Body court ruled today that current United States import duties on steel violate global trade agreements.
10 Nov 2003 18:02
Unemployment rate falls
Employment rose in October, and the unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent to six percent, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
07 Nov 2003 14:33
Initial jobless claims drop sharply
According to a report released today by the US Department of Labor, initial unemployment claims dropped to their lowest level in more than two years, a hopeful sign of economic recovery.
06 Nov 2003 15:42
Manufacturing productivity on the rise
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a significant jump in the annual rate of productivity growth for third-quarter manufacturing today.
06 Nov 2003 20:52
GE Wind Energy to supply 108 wind turbines
GE Wind Energy, a division of General Electric, is supplying 108 wind turbines for the Colorado Green Project currently under construction near Lamar, CO.
05 Nov 2003 16:39
Tyco takes another hit
Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC, BSX: TYC, LSE: TYI) announced a massive restructuring along with its fourth quarter numbers today.
04 Nov 2003 15:37
Construction spending rises
In another indication that the economy may be headed for recovery, overall spending on construction rose 1.3 percent in September, according to a report released today by the US Department of Commerce.
03 Nov 2003 20:54
US manufacturing sector on the rise, says ISM report
According to the Institute for Supply Management's Report On Business, economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew again in October, the fourth consecutive month of growth.
03 Nov 2003 17:09
Jobs remain elusive
“The President and I will not rest until every American who wants a job can find one,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao in October.
01 Nov 2003 12:01
OSHA fines plant $288,000
A worker died at Elyria, OH-based automotive steel refinery Progressive Processing last April, after his clothing became caught in rotating machinery and spun him repeatedly into a concrete floor.
01 Nov 2003 12:03
Sarbanes-Oxley dead ahead
Next year, Tax Day won’t be the only dreaded date for large publicly held U.S. manufacturers—that honor will be shared with June 15.
01 Nov 2003 11:59
Senate approves tax bill
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a bill in October to lower tax rates for U.S. manufacturers who produce their products in the United States.
01 Nov 2003 12:04