Industry Trends & Analysis

News • February 27, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Renewable-energy manufacturing jobs are on the rise

While the Trump administration focuses on trying to bring back coal-industry jobs, the outlook for renewable-energy employment, including in manufacturing, has increased. Solar showed bright prospects in 2016 and the wind industry is picking up.

News • February 21, 2017 • Evan Jones Thorne

Pratt & Whitney to bring over 500 jobs to Georgia

Georgia will see an influx of more than 500 new aerospace manufacturing jobs at Columbus-based Pratt & Whitney, which reportedly will invest $386 million into expansion.

News • February 15, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Cutting Tool Market Report: ‘Strong finish’ for 2016

Down, but getting back up: December 2016 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $176.04 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT — The Association for Manufacturing Technology. This total was up 4.4 percent from November's $168.69 million and up 12.5 percent when compared with the total of $156.49 million reported for December 2015, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration. With a year-to-date total of $2.042 billion, 2016 is down 4.3 percent when compared with 2015.

News • February 14, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

AMT: Manufacturing tech orders jumped 20% in December

AMT — The Association for Manufacturing Technology released its December 2016 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report this week, noting that orders finished 2016 down 4 percent compared to 2015. But the report also holds some good news: month over month data showed December orders up a whopping 20.6 percent compared to November.

News • February 2, 2017 • Evan Jones Thorne

PMI shows continued economic growth

The January 2017 Manufacturing ISM Report On Business, a national report that reflects the state of manufacturing throughout the United States, showed increased economic activity in manufacturing in the month of January, with overall economic growth for the 92nd consecutive month.

News • February 2, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Record-breaking robot orders in N. America

The Robotic Industries Association has announced that in 2016 the North American robotics market broke all-time records for orders and shipments. During the year, 34,606 robots valued at approximately $1.9 billion were ordered in North America, representing growth of 10 percent in units over 2015.

News • January 31, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Manufacturers to Ohio: Jobs are Coming

Ohio is soon to benefit from new job-creating investments by a number of major manufacturers. The Dayton Business Journal reports that companies including General Motors, Navistar International and Whirlpool have announced projects that will add to the 885,539 manufacturing jobs the Buckeye State currently boasts.

Articles • January 26, 2017 • Alan Richter

Sounds of the season

Working in the bleak midwinter while the metalcutting sector transitions through a downturn sounds like a recipe for the blues. But it doesn't have to be. When things are a bit slow, it can be a good time to do some housekeeping and other chores around the shop that get put on the backburner during more active times. Investing in automation and other productivity-boosting equipment can also be wise during a soft stretch.

News • January 23, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Trump rescinds US participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership

President Trump has signed an executive order that formally ends U.S. participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation trade agreement negotiated by former President Obama but never ratified by the U.S. Congress.

Articles • January 19, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

Hamilton sings praises of manufacturing

Government concerning itself with manufacturing? What would the Founding Fathers think? We know the answer: December marked 220 years since Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton submitted his "Report on the Subject Manufactures" to the House of Representatives. In it, he argued in favor of manufacturing as a contrast to the Jeffersonian vision of an agrarian society, and that action from the federal government was necessary if U.S. manufacturing was to thrive.

News • January 18, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

GM to invest an additional $1 billion in U.S. mfg.

GM has announced that it will invest an additional $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing operations, creating a total of 7,000 new jobs here. Is it a case of "If I tweet them, they will come?" After the announcement, incoming US President Donald Trump was quick to tweet about "all of the jobs I am bringing back into the US." Not so fast, say GM and industry watchers.

News • January 16, 2017

USCTI shows YTD consumption down in Nov.

U.S. manufacturers spent $168.69 million on cutting tools in November 2016, according to the Cutting Tool Market Report by the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This was 0.2 percent lower than October's $168.99 million, but was up 9.3 percent from November 2015's $154.28 million.