News Archive

Manufacturing news

October 2006

BLS releases Employment Cost Index -SEPTEMBER 2006

Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.0 percent from June to September 2006, seasonally adjusted, virtually unchanged from the 0.9 percent gain from March to June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reports.
31 Oct 2006 14:32

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX-SEPTEMBER 2006

Why Does Industry Resist Energy Management?

(Following is an editorial by Christopher Russell, Principal of Energy PathFinder.)
31 Oct 2006 21:44

Food and Beverage Manufacturers Need Global Automation Infrastructure, says ARC

October 30, 2006: ARC Research has released its findings on the global food and beverage industry. According to ARC, many of the leading food manufacturers recognize the need for a vastly improved and more global automation infrastructure than currently exists in even their most auto-mated facilities.
30 Oct 2006 19:47

ILS now offers RFID "Pilot Kits"

NASHUA, NH – October 30, 2006 – Integrated Labeling Systems, Inc. (ILS™), a leading provider of Automatic ID and EPC/RFID solutions, announces the availability of its RFID Starter/Pilot Kits to enable users to easily, efficiently and cost effectively meet the basic requirements for current Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and U.S. Dept. of Defense compliance.
30 Oct 2006 20:43

Industry leaders gather in Shanghai on Chinese logistics practices

SHANGHAI, China, and GREEN BAY, Wis. - Oct. 27, 2006 - Schneider National, Inc., a leading global logistics provider, together with The Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech, gathered more than 250 logistics executives and government officials in Shanghai this week to explore the theme "Driving the Global Economy through China.” Delegates at the three-day conference, held Oct. 23 through 25, predicted continued unprecedented growth in both marine and land transportation volume in coming years.
30 Oct 2006 20:55

Maxager Technology Announces Maxager 7.3

San Francisco, Calif., October 24, 2006 — Maxager Technology, the provider of velocity-driven enterprise profit optimization solutions, has released Maxager 7.3.
30 Oct 2006 19:54

NAM APPOINTS CHINA BUSINESS TASK FORCE

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 27, 2006 – National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler today announced the appointment of a U.S.–China Business Relations Task Force to work directly with the Treasury Department and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson as he prepares for face-to-face meetings with Chinese leaders on a wide array of trade issues, including currency.
30 Oct 2006 20:51

NAM Radio now reaches 71 stations, 90 timeslots

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 27, 2006 – The National Association of Manufacturers’ public affairs radio program, America’s Business with Mike Hambrick is now being aired on 71 radio stations around the country on weekends. In some markets, the program is being aired twice – once on Saturday and once on Sunday – on the same station. The program is being aired 90 times each weekend.
30 Oct 2006 20:57

Schneider National, Inc., Wins U.S. Environmental Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Oct. 30, 2006 — Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, announced today that the company has received an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWaySM Transport Partnership for its achievements and leadership in reducing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from its freight transport activities.
30 Oct 2006 20:38

UNION RATIFIES ESAB CONTRACT

Hanover, PA – Members of UAW Local 1968, the labor union representing most of ESAB Welding and Cutting Product’s Hanover employees, voted to ratify a new contract today paving the way for their return to work in a few weeks.
30 Oct 2006 20:16

Also from Sopheon: MS Project integration

PLM software and services company Sopheon has integrated its Accolade solution with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007.
26 Oct 2006 17:51

CNC solution: Stiles announces solution for horizontal drill and dowel insertion

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 24, 2006 – Stiles Machinery has annoucned a horizontal drill and dowel insertion machine that processes parts with high speed and accuracy.
26 Oct 2006 20:58

FuelCell Energy to Install Ultra-Clean Power Plant Running on Milk-Processing Waste to Power California Wastewater Treatment Facility

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2006--FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of efficient electric power plants for commercial and industrial customers, today announced it will supply an ultra-clean power plant that will run on a renewable supply of fuel from dairy-processing waste, generating electricity to run a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving California's San Joaquin Valley region.
26 Oct 2006 21:40

IT: Oracle to gobble Red Hat?

Oracle is now servicing Red Hat software installations, for less than half what Red Hat itself charges - interesting, as Oracle does not own Red Hat, but that appears to be the point.
26 Oct 2006 22:00

NAM President urges voter diligence on manufacturing

October 25, 2006 – Speaking to an assembly of business leaders during the Minnesota Manufacturing Summit today, National Association of Manufacturers President and former three-term Michigan Governor John Engler urged continued action on legislation that will boost the economy and promote competitiveness.
26 Oct 2006 16:04

Pacer's Chairman and CEO to Retire After Successor Named

CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2006--Pacer International CEO Donald C. Orris will retire within the year, once the logistics and transportation provider appoints a successor.
26 Oct 2006 22:59

PLM vendor Sopheon expands innovation, time-to-value capabilities

Oct. 23, 2006—PLM vendor Sopheon announced today the introduction of a set of add-on applications for its Accolade® product life cycle management solution.
26 Oct 2006 17:34

Proactively taking charge of manufacturing energy costs

Mary Beth Holly, a TechSolve Project Manager, has issued her take on what businesses can learn from an Ohio non-profit that's helping businesses save money and natural resources.
26 Oct 2006 21:54

SAS announces Service Intelligence suite

BetterManagement LIVE, LAS VEGAS (Oct. 25, 2006) – Today SAS announced the release of its SAS® Service Intelligence software suite, an integrated family of solutions that monitors, predicts and optimizes a company’s entire service chain. The suite uses the power of the popular SAS® Warranty Analysis solution by combining it with the forecasting strength of SAS® Service Parts Optimization and SAS® Service Operations Optimization to harness a goldmine of previously disconnected business processes.
26 Oct 2006 22:04

Study: Global's important, home's more important

A study by consultant and analyst group Grant Thornton reveals US manufacturers' attitude to globalization
26 Oct 2006 17:47

The weakest link: Keeping your data secure in a collaborative business environment

It takes a computer security expert like Ravi S. Behara to explain why the enemy's capture of a U.S. Army Humvee represents a huge threat to the Navy's tactical network.
26 Oct 2006 22:16

Juzo implements Factivity and Preactor from MDSS.

Founded in 1912 by Julius Zorn, Juzo has been pioneering technologically advanced compression products for decades by gathering constant feedback from medical professionals and patients and applying that knowledge to create comfortable, effective garments.
25 Oct 2006 22:43

Pelion and UPS join efforts to drive lean supply chains

Pelion Systems, a market leader in Manufacturing Operating Systems based on Lean principles, and UPS (NYSE: UPS), the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, today announced a new relationship designed to help manufacturers drive Lean supply chains.
25 Oct 2006 0:09

Waste management: Atlanta department of Watershed Management goes

Oct. 23 - The City of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has announced simultaneous go-lives of Systems & Software, Inc.’s enQuesta™ and IVR as well as the opening of a new call center. enQuesta™ was ranked by UtiliPoint as the number one CIS choice for Municipal Customer Care and Billing in 2006.
25 Oct 2006 22:37

Aberdeen Group: Few go 100% Six Sigma

An interesting Aberdeen Research survey (“The Lean Six Sigma Benchmark”) finds that of those companies Aberdeen surveyed – and there were 400 of those companies, on the order of Boeing, Glaxo SmithKline, GE, and GM., only 16 percent of Six Sigma adherents hold true to the six sigma principles.
23 Oct 2006 14:25

Aerospace|defense: does Russian Investment in EADS|Airbus make sense?

Vneshtorgbank, a state-owned Russian Bank, has taken an equity position of a little over 5 percent in EADS, the parent of Airbus – buying up shares in the open market. Why? And what does this mean for the global aerospace industry, and for the rivalry between Airbus and Boeing?
23 Oct 2006 14:30

Airbus v. Boeing – what went wrong (and right)

A tough quarter for Airbus, which has announced two-year delays on its A380 aircraft and the cause appears to be out-of-sync design practices. Airbus announced the delays after finding that its designs do not match in final assembly, particularly in the case of wiring.
23 Oct 2006 14:17

Hi-tech inventories way up

Industry think-tank Manufacturing Insights has tracked a sharp spike in hi-tech inventories. The group believes that suppliers are filling the pipeline for what it expects to be a very lucrative holiday season.
23 Oct 2006 14:28

HP: People still have to print

Hewlett-Packard is much embattled, but the leak probe debacle has not dented business. In fact, HP stock is up. Shouldn't the probe matter?
23 Oct 2006 14:18

Kronos to spearhead Workforce Institute

Workforce IT provider Kronos Inc. has announced that it will create a Workforce Institute, with a mission to provide research and education on critical workplace issues facing organizations around the globe. This announcement was made from KronosWorks, the company’s user group meeting, in Orlando.
23 Oct 2006 14:19

Trade deficit up, but wait

The US trade deficit, alas, rose to a record high in August, climbing 2.7 percent to $69.86 billion. This according to just-released data from the Department of Commerce.
23 Oct 2006 14:23

Goodrich opens nacelle integration plant

Goodrich Corporation officially opened its new state-of-the-art nacelle integration facility, Goodrich Aerostructures Integration Services, Inc., in Everett, Wash.
20 Oct 2006 16:40

Logistics: Schneider expands into new op center

Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, has unveiled its new, state-of the-art Operating Center (company-owned truck stop) in Portland, Ore.
20 Oct 2006 16:30

UPS wraps 4th Annual Volunteer Week

Logistics giant UPS wrapped up its fourth annual UPS Global Volunteer Week on October 22nd.
20 Oct 2006 21:35

China's Electronic Manufacturing Revenue Continues To Rise

Dublin, Ireland-based analysts Research and Markets has released an in-depth analysis of electronic manufacturing in China.
19 Oct 2006 22:00

Design & Innovation: Invisibility. No kidding.

A team led by scientists at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering has demonstrated the first working "invisibility cloak." So what?
19 Oct 2006 21:17

EDS allies with UGS, enters PLM market

EDS will "allow global manufacturers to capture market opportunities and achieve measurable business results" with the launch of its new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Solution.
19 Oct 2006 22:35

HR: How can employers improve contribution plans?

As we reported in July (Pensions: Reform or retire them?), pensions are by no means dead - 44 million Americans depend on them. The rest rely on "defined contribution" plans, like 401K and IRAs. Trouble is - pensions managed themselves.
19 Oct 2006 22:17

Jungheinrich aims to set standards in RFID

Jungheinrich AG, manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse technology, has taken over project management of the "IdentProLog" research project for RFID technology.
19 Oct 2006 21:50

Round 2 of Energy Savings Assessments Kicks Off

Round 2 of Energy Savings Assessments Kicks Off DOE's Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) has just launched the second round of Energy Savings Assessments (ESAs), and is taking applications until January 19 2007.
19 Oct 2006 22:32

Strong growth for UPS

UPS has reported solid revenue and profit growth for its most recent quarter on a healthy 5% rise in global small package volume.
19 Oct 2006 21:55

UGS Solid Edge 2D Software Hits 10,000 Download Milestone

UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, has announced that since its launch one month ago, more than 10,000 users have downloaded UGS' no cost Solid Edge(R) 2D Design program. UGS announced in September that its Solid Edge 2D Drafting software (a $995 value) is now available worldwide at no cost.
19 Oct 2006 21:57

Gas prices down, retail spend up

The Q3 results are in, and as gas prices leveled out, retail spend jumped 6.3 percent, compared to Q3 2005.
13 Oct 2006 15:18

IBM service products tackle data center power, cooling

IBM, now billing itself as "the leading global services provider," has introduced new service products to help customers combat energy-related crises in their data centers.
13 Oct 2006 23:04

Siemens Tops New ABI Research Vendor Matrix Ranking

Siemens has been ranked at the top of the latest ABI Research Vendor Matrix.
13 Oct 2006 22:56

AIM Global Publishes RFID Position Statement

AIM Global is OK with item-level tagging.
12 Oct 2006 22:38

Crude oil relief, US inventory up

Now is the time to stock up. Crude oil, as we approach late October, is tracking at just over $57 per barrel.
12 Oct 2006 23:01

Intermec for Hong Kong airport

More RFID news:
12 Oct 2006 23:19

Manufacturing philanthropy: GE pumps $590 grand into New Orleans schools

A nice move in General Electric's part - as part of its $15 million Hurricane Katrina disaster relief effort, GE has donated $590,000 in electrical equipment to New Orleans schools, which opened on-time.
12 Oct 2006 23:30

Oil & gas growth spurs growth for peripherals

Strong growth in the oil & gas industry has goosed the market for field device technology, and the worldwide market for ultrasonic flowmeters is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6 percent over the next five years.
12 Oct 2006 23:44

Russia on LNG: "We'll make our own, Yanks."

Gazprom, the Russian natural gas monopoly, has rejected the bids of five western oil companies, including Chevron and Konoko. Gazprom will develop its Shtokman natural gas field without outside help.
12 Oct 2006 22:30

Solar tech makers to receive $13 million for growth

US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has announced more than $13 million to fund new research in solar technologies.
12 Oct 2006 23:02

Thermadyne wins UAW/DaimlerChrysler contract

Kudos to Thermadyne Industries, a global provider of cutting and welding products. Thermodyne is now the single source provider of state-of-the-art welding equipment and welder training at the United Auto Workers (UAW) National Training Center for DaimlerChrysler, outside of Detroit, in Warren, Mich.
12 Oct 2006 22:51

Top 10 factors to consider before going global

JPMorgan Chase Vastera has released its take on being a newbie exporter, importer or outsourcer, and they make good sense. Penned by their consultant Sara Ireton, the ten are as follows:
12 Oct 2006 23:39

US Trade Deficit results for Q3: eek.

The US trade deficit, alas, rose to a record high in August, climbing 2.7 percent to $69.86 billion. This according to just-released data from the Department of Commerce.
12 Oct 2006 0:00

Oil falls to lowest price in 8 months

Crude oil dropped to its lowest closing price since February as Saudi Arabia's state-run oil company notified customers they could expect to receive the same amount of oil in November as this month, according to Bloomberg. The move undercuts a plan by OPEC to decrease output.
10 Oct 2006 21:23

Oracle to pay $98.5 million to settle PeopleSoft suit

Oracle Corp. has agreed to pay $98.5 million to settle a lawsuit over pricing disclosures made by PeopleSoft Inc. while negotiating a contract with the federal government, the Justice Department said Tuesday, according to a report by MarketWatch.
10 Oct 2006 21:47

Airbus to throw ballast to stay aloft?

Airbus is at least considering discontinuing some product lines, and Co-Chief Executive Thomas Enders told The Financial Times Deutschland that he "can't rule out" dumping the A350 XWB. This jumbo-liner was Airbus's rival to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, due for delivery in 2008.
06 Oct 2006 20:36

Correction: Not a bad Christmas for CPG, retail

We reported in our October issue (page 10, "Cold Christmas, Happy Hallowe'en") that it would be a slow Christmas for retailers and their suppliers. That was based on National Retail Federation (NRF) data.
06 Oct 2006 20:20

Energy: good news at pump sparks OPEC to tighten the oil valve

In direct reaction to falling oil prices, OPEC member nations have agreed among themselves to tighten its output by four percent in coming weeks.
06 Oct 2006 20:44

GM director resigns abruptly

GM Director Jerome B. York has abruptly left his post at GM, citing "little point" in his staying at the company.
06 Oct 2006 20:10

High-power Tesla receives breakthrough award

Tesla Motors, manufacturers of performance electric cars (see Manufacturer, July, August) received a 2006 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award for its work in developing the Tesla Roadster, the world’s first all-electric production sports car.
06 Oct 2006 21:13

Industry off the mark with Six Sigma? Or wary of overkill?

An interesting Aberdeen Research survey (The Lean Six Sigma Benchmark) finds that of those companies Aberdeen surveyed, only 16 percent of Six Sigma adherents hold true to the six sigma principles. Yet those who do, even if imperfectly, produce on average 40 percent higher savings to date and 65 percent more savings per project.
06 Oct 2006 20:28

Manufacturing news