With 2017 nearly behind us and manufacturing in a steady cycle of growth, one can’t help but wonder what the New Year will bring. But as we head toward the new year, we will take look back on how the times have changed for manufacturers – for better or worse. The Digital Makeover We have…
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The final touches are being made for sweeping change to corporate and private tax structure in the United States. One of the most notable changes is the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, a move designed to encourage businesses to stay in the country or reshore their operations. What will these…
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Every six months, members of the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) survey 350 manufacturing executives from 18 different industries. ISM researchers use the survey results to produce a manufacturing index called PMI that helps them form predictions for monthly and semiannual forecasts. As of December 2017, the manufacturing industry has experienced growth for 15 months straight —…
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Today’s manufacturing workforces are becoming more diverse than ever. To be successful, you must be able to compete in the global marketplace. This can be to your advantage if you know the right manufacturing employment engagement strategies for a multi-generational, multi-national, multi-cultural work force. Manufacturing Employee Engagement Activities: Feedback Sessions – More and more studies show that…
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In August, we wrote a piece about advances in space manufacturing. Because of its sustainability and cost-effectiveness, 3-D printing will likely play a major role in developing the space manufacturing industry. And, with the ability to build and repair satellites in space, NASA experts, government agency officials, and commercial company leaders may no longer have…
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Global manufacturers are interested in seeing what the fourth quarter is looking like as 2017 draws to a close. The outlook for manufacturing is hopeful but, as always, will take some new turns with innovations and changes in global markets. Encouraging news Major hurricanes impacted the United States — and its markets — this year,…
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To the electrically un-attuned, three-phase and single phase power could be thought of along the same lines as mechanical power. Despite their differences, the two have one thing in common — they both transport power with pressure and flow. When discussing electrical power, pressure refers to force and flow means speed. You calculate the power…
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Dominating the headlines over this weekend in December is that Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest airport has completely lost power and as of this writing – remains in the dark. The question that the utility has been slow to answer is why. Initial reports were that a construction crew hit a major underground…
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2017 has brought plenty of change and innovation to the manufacturing industry, from stronger automation and interconnectivity to deeper customization and a customer-centric focus. What sort of gifts will the industry give us in 2018? Here are a few predictions from analysts and insiders that we agree with regarding what the new year has in…
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Many Americans are rejoicing over the uptick in the U.S. economy and job market. With over 200,000 new jobs created in November and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.1%, this optimism is well-founded. The highest numbers of job gains came in the professional and business services, manufacturing, and health care industries. Manufacturing jobs In a seeming…
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