Cyber-Update: Attacks on Utilities and Manufacturers
The Winter 2016 issue of VALVE Magazine featured an article in which the very real threat posed by cyber criminals to infrastructure security was discussed.
Forecast for U.S. Valve Industry: No Growth Expected
By: Judy Tibbs, Editorial Consultant, VALVE Magazine
For the first time since 2009, U.S. industrial valve shipments are predicted to have almost no growth in 2016, according to the annual forecast of the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA). VMA’s forecast indicates shipments will be up just $3 million over 2015 to be about $4.5 billion total. “Our industry crested in 2008 at about $4 billion before taking a tumble from the recession.
#VMAnews
Changing the Way Americans Think About Manufacturing Careers
The Valve Manufacturers Association is focusing a major effort on developing a solution to a problem that plagues this industry as well as most of the industrial world: how to find and attract talented new workers.
#basics #VMAnews
NAM Monday Economic Report - November 9, 2015
Strong jobs numbers on Friday enhanced the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will begin to increase short-term interest rates in December, which was already becoming the conventional wisdom.
2016 Market Forecast: Dodging Market Strikes
Discussion of crude oil and natural gas have dominated much of the last few VMA Market Outlook Workshops and this year’s event, which was Aug. 6-7 in Chicago, was no different: Declining oil prices made it into most discussions at the workshop, and shale gas came up many times.
#VMAnews
NAM Monday Economic Report - August 24, 2015
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high at 18312.39 on May 19.
NAM Monday Economic Report - September 28, 2015
The global manufacturing sector continued to show signs of struggle in data released last week, with a number of headwinds dampening demand and production.
NAM Monday Economic Report - September 21, 2015
In deciding not to start raising short-term interest rates, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said, “Recent global economic and financial developments may restrain economic activity somewhat and are likely to put further downward pressure on inflation in the near term.” As such, the Federal Reserve has chosen to see how the next few months transpire before opting to begin the process of normalizing rates, likely at the December 15–16 meeting, depending on the strength of incoming data between now and then.
#pressure-relief
Confidence Among Manufacturing & Logistics Workers Continue to Rise
The Randstad Manufacturing & Logistics Employee Confidence Index (ECI) rose from 55.9 at year-end 2014 to 60.8 points in mid-year 2015, representing an increase of 4.9 points.
NAM Monday Economic Report - August 31, 2015
After tremendous stock market volatility earlier in the week, financial markets around the world began to stabilize somewhat by the end of last week.