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.
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 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.
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.
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
Petrochemical shortages are causing prices to skyrocket
Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining
Analysts are expecting petrochemical shortages to last well into 2022.
EIA projects global energy consumption and emissions will increase through 2050
Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that strong economic growth, particularly with developing economies in Asia, will drive global increases in energy consumption to grow by nearly 50% between 2020 and 2050.
Infrastructure bill's hidden permitting gem
Edited by Margo Ellis, Former Editor, Valve Magazine
Amid the swirl of discussion around how much should be spent on infrastructure and whether the bill can pass a divided Congress, legislative policy observers have missed a brief, somewhat technical provision with the punch to materially impact U.S. infrastructure policy in an extraordinarily helpful way, reported The Hill on Sept. 29.
MSS revises standards SP-6 and SP-129
Edited by Margo Ellis, Former Editor, Valve Magazine
The Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) of the Valve and Fittings Industry has revised and published standards SP-6 and SP-129, announced in two press releases on Sept. 30.
#standards
Reshoring initiative projects annual records
Edited by Chris Pasion, Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining
If this year stays on track, then the Reshoring Initiative projects reshoring and foreign direct investment job announcements for 2021 will be over 220,000 — 38% above 2020.
VMA Member News
VMA Scholarship Applications Being Accepted
Scholarships are awarded to VMA member company dependents studying engineering or manufacturing.
#VMAnews
Exhibits and Sponsorships Still Available for Valve Forum
The event, April 13-15, is taking place in Greater Houston and draws attendees from all over the U.S. and Canada.
#VMAnews
VMA's Valve Basics Seminar and Valve Forum Programs Announced
The Valve Forum: Conference & Exhibits is the most dynamic gathering for professionals across the entire valve industry value chain.
#VMAnews #basics
Bill Sandler, Longest Serving VMA Employee, Has Died
Sandler spent more than 40 years and was President of the association when he retired in 2019.
#VMAnews
