NEWS

Manufacturing

Survey reports Gen Z views manufacturing more positively due to COVID-19

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

A recent survey by Parsable reports 58% of respondents who had graduated from a four-year college or university said they were interested in a career in manufacturing, which was likely influenced by their access to STEM and related educational programs while in school.

Applications

Baker Hughes’ subsea drilling systems and Akastor’s MHWirth merge

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

The new company, HMH, aims to support the industry’s transition toward more energy-efficient solutions, as well as deploy technologies and service solutions to make the sector more competitive through increased drilling efficiency.
#VMAnews

Insights

Legislation moves on INFORM bill

By: Margo Ellis, Former Editor, Valve Magazine

Senators Richard Durbin, Democrat, Illinois and Bill Cassidy, Republican, Louisiana have introduced legislation the past two Congresses called the INFORM Consumers Act, which would increase online marketplace transparency for consumers and ensure that marketplaces verify who their high-volume third-party sellers are.

Applications

New EIA study reports drop in nuclear power plant outages

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

The U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows that unplanned nuclear plant outages averaged more than 90 outages in 2000, peaking at nearly 120 in 2003, and since steadily fell to 34 so far this year.

Applications

Emerson helps Colgate-Palmolive pursue net zero carbon

By: Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

The project is part of Colgate’s digital transformation program and uses Emerson’s specialized Aventics pneumatic sensors and IIoT-enabled software to precisely monitor compressed air flow in real time.
#VMAnews

Insights

Chaotic trans-Pacific shipping disruptions continue

Edited by Margo Ellis, Former Editor, Valve Magazine

The familiar levers for logistics managers to manage shipping disruptions, such as alternative port routing and front-loading inventory, provide little relief in this chaotic trans-Pacific trade, reported the Journal of Commerce on Sept. 30.

Insights

Commercial Construction Index reports slow recovery

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

Worker shortages, materials shortages and rising costs have led to a slowdown in the post-pandemic recovery for construction contractors. The CCI score rose one point this quarter to 66.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing Institute survey reports production bounceback

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

In the most recent NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, the Manufacturing Institute reports that manufacturing production has bounced back year to date, with output being the strongest since August 2019 in the latest data, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. 

Manufacturing

Gardner Business Index shows slow expansion in third quarter

By: Michael Guckes, Former Chief Economist & Director of Analytics

The Gardner Business Index (GBI) closed September at 58.0. Employment, production, new orders and backlog activity all registered slowing expansion during September.

Insights

Supply chains impacted by shortage of workers

Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

Fixing supply chain woes will be a long process, and many of the problems currently being experienced are due to a lack of labor. Technological advances such as automation and artificial intelligence will help companies find a solution.
#automation