Industry Trends & Analysis

News • December 20, 2018

Nail manufacturer at risk because of steel, aluminum tariffs

The operations manager at the largest nail manufacturer in the United States, Mid Continent Steel and Wire Inc., says his company has fought hard to survive in the face of unfair foreign competition over the past 12 years. The business planned for further growth and was on a great path until the Trump administration levied steel and aluminum tariffs, which took effect in June.

News • December 20, 2018

Recruiters limit the candidate pool for manufacturing jobs

In the United States, the universal complaint about recruitment for manufacturing jobs is that there aren't enough qualified candidates for all the positions that people are working feverishly to fill. So why are recruiters hobbling their own efforts by purposely limiting the candidate pools they'll even consider?

Articles • December 18, 2018

Consider the costs of growth

Manager's Desk: If growth is a part of your business plan, don't let the costs that go with it catch you by surprise.

Articles • December 13, 2018 • Alan Richter

Growth expectations for 2019

Lead Angle: Editor Alan Richter chats with economic authorities in the aerospace, automotive and energy industries to find out what's coming next year.

Articles • December 12, 2018 • Alan Richter

Manufacturing industry growth projected to slow in 2019

Economic experts say that growth will rise but less briskly than it did this year.n

News • November 20, 2018

Manufacturing jobs are defying expectations

"Nation longs for one more day with dying manufacturing sector." That headline, published in 2014 by the satirical website The Onion, anticipated both President Donald Trump's fears and the retorts he gets from his critics. He campaigned on a promise to bring back jobs in manufacturing after decades of decline. To people who see the future of the U.S. economy in services, these promises seemed backward. When he was head of the National Economic Council, Gary Cohn reportedly asked Trump which he would prefer: sitting in a nice air-conditioned office or standing on his feet all day. In 2018, it looks as if the president is winning the day.

News • November 15, 2018

Immigrants are indispensable to US manufacturing

A fact sheet by the National Immigration Forum focuses on immigrants in the U.S. manufacturing sector, highlighting key information about their demographics, incomes and contributions.

News • October 26, 2018 • Kip Hanson

Use your time wisely

It started with the email from "Sarah." "Dear Friend. We are precision CNC machining manufacturer from China. Please try us, so that you will cost-down 40 percent at least!" I hate junk mail. Next to robocallers and those dirtbags who leave ominous voicemails threatening legal action by the IRS, spammers are the worst. The intrusiveness of it, the endless inbox management, never mind the laughable English skills. It's irritating.

Articles • October 25, 2018 • Michael Deren

A market for good employees

Machinist's Corner: It is a great time to be in manufacturing. For qualified workers that means better wages and benefits.

Articles • October 16, 2018 • William Leventon

Robot arm reaches for milling goals

Machine Technology: Researchers are close to developing a precision robotic arm for more economical milling.

News • October 15, 2018

Do stocks perform better when manufacturing is booming?

Manufacturing is booming. Many say that's great news for the stock market because increased manufacturing activity is evidence of a stronger economy. This seems logical, but does data support such a conclusion? And is it prudent to use manufacturing indicators to time your exposure to stocks?

Articles • October 11, 2018 • Kip Hanson

Retrofits keep CNC machines in business

Why resurrecting an old piece of iron with a new control may financially make sense.