Charge ahead
Managing energy costs and improving energy performance requires an ongoing commitment.
Topic
Industry Trends & Analysis
Let’s get together
After being offstage for many years, U.S. manufacturing had better be ready for the limelight. Another large research study has found that, not surprisingly, manufacturing is big—and it matters.
Job one? Selling jobs!
Cutting Tool Engineering Editorial Director Alan Rooks ponders one of the metalworking industry's biggest challenges of late—filling numerous job vacancies.
Is manufacturing overrated?
It's getting to be a broken record. February was another up month for U.S. manufacturing as output increased 0.4 percent. Output rose 0.7 percent in January after jumping 1.5 percent in December—the biggest gain in 5 years. Also, U.S. manufacturers added 31,000 jobs in February, on top of adding 227,000 jobs in 2011. Of course, the big question is how long can this last?
Pumping Up Production
As the U.S. strives to become less dependent on foreign energy sources, energy producers are increasingly employing hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," to drill shale deposits and extract natural gas and some oil. That booming market requires a range of parts from shops around the country.
Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill!
States near the Marcellus Shale, a huge natural gas formation centered in Pennsylvania, are feverishly pursuing a $4 billion ethane "cracker" to be built by Royal Dutch Shell. The cracker will process ethane-rich gas from the Marcellus Shale into ethylene, and the ethylene will be used by the pharmaceutical, chemical and plastics industries. The plant will create 10,000 construction jobs and several hundred permanent jobs.
Are the Stars Aligned?
Manufacturing was a star in 2011 and looks to shine brightly in 2012.
Workforce 2021 Readiness Assessment unveiled at imX
Jeannine Kunz, director of professional development at ToolingU for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, offers a walk-through of the society's Workforce 2021 Readiness Assessment tool. Unveiled at imX, the tool is intended to help manufacturers assess what steps they may need to take to help fill the gab in highly skilled workers.
Kennametal: Industry, workforce outlook
Kennametal Inc. CEO Carlos Cordoso shares the company's plans to help resolve the looming shortfall in the manufacturing workforce. Plus, Cordoso discusses the industry's economic state and Kennametal's focus on helping customers find total solutions as opposed to another tool sale.
Which way to recovery?
CTE Editorial Director Alan Rooks laments the long and winding road to economic recovery in this Lead Angle editorial in the September 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.
Will plan amp up manufacturing?
In his August 2011 Lead Angle editorial, Cutting Tool Engineering Editorial Director Alan Rooks addresses whether the plan for the latest U.S. manufacturing initiative unveiled by President Obama will provide a boost to the industry.
Technology days: Agie Charmilles 2011
Glynn Fletcher, President of Agie Charmilles LLC, discusses the need for the company's Technology Days event held in late June at its Lincolnshire, Ill., location.