Manufacturers have struggled to meet the demand spike after the initial pandemic slump for many reasons, but perhaps most importantly because of labor shortages. This has strengthened the case for companies to invest in robotics and automation. … READ MORE >
What Biden’s $1.2T infrastructure package means for manufacturing and energy
While construction sector businesses are perhaps the clearest category that will benefit, so will companies throughout the industrial supply chain, including steel and material suppliers, engineering services firms, and more. … READ MORE >
The LIBOR transition could affect manufacturing companies
Given the various departments, business units and locations that are part of global manufacturing companies’ structure, the direct and indirect exposures can be quite substantial. … READ MORE >
Global manufacturing activity and delta-induced supply chain disruptions
Rising costs and supply chain constraints continue to disrupt U.S. manufacturing activity and may worsen as the world’s factory floors brace for more shutdowns linked to the spread of the coronavirus delta variant. Even U.S. companies that do not have operations in other countries can expect to feel the strain, considering they likely have global suppliers somewhere in their supply chain. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Industrial trade deficit rises amid growing domestic demand
The industrial goods trade deficit increased to $36.7 billion in May from $34.39 billion in April, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels of trade deficits, according to Commerce Department data released on Thursday. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Manufacturers wrestle with disruptions, shortages and rising prices
Manufacturing growth eased from its breakneck pace in April as supply chain bottlenecks and material shortages increase backlogs and limit production efforts. … READ MORE >
The impact of Brexit on U.S. manufacturing companies
Plenty of questions remain about what the specific impacts of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement will be, but some aspects – such as value-added tax and customs implications – have come into clearer focus in 2021. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Manufacturing remains strong despite labor, supply chain challenges
U.S. manufacturing activity remained robust in January but faced challenges on the labor and supply chain front, according to new data released Monday by the Institute for Supply Management. … READ MORE >
Economic recovery drives up raw material prices
As manufacturing activity rebounds, companies are experiencing not just volatility in demand but also in raw material prices, which have been rising. … READ MORE >
China’s economic power: You may not like it, but you cannot ignore it
China’s importance in global trade continues to grow, and so many countries have become dependent on China that global economies do not have the option of ignoring it. … READ MORE >