Manufacturing.net All

Value Stream, Self Deception, & Enormous Cost

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:15:15 +0000

Tech Savvy

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:11:54 +0000

This edition of 5 Quick Questions offers insight from supply chain consultant Greg Matter as he discusses the benefits Asian tech companies see in expanding their U.S. manufacturing footprint.

Interview by Jeff Reinke

Fed Foresees Lower U.S. Unemployment Rate

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:08:05 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve expects the U.S. unemployment rate to fall faster this year and next than it did in March.

The Fed now predicts unemployment will fall to 7.2 percent or 7.3 percent at the end of 2013 from 7.6 percent now. It thinks the rate will be between 6.5 percent and 6.8 percent by the end of 2014, better than its previous projection of 6.7 percent to 7 percent.

Waste Can Become Business

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:43:22 +0000

A Supply Chain With No Weak Links

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:36:49 +0000

A responsive business requires responsive partners

Porsche Tops Annual Survey Of Vehicle Quality

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:47 +0000

DETROIT (AP) -- Porsche is the top performer in an annual survey of new vehicle quality.

J.D. Power questioned more than 83,000 U.S. car owners about problems with their 2013 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.

In the results released Wednesday, Porsche, GMC, Lexus, Infiniti and Chevrolet owners reported the fewest problems. The worst performing brands were Scion, Fiat, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mini.

Unmanned Aircraft Struggle To Shed 'Drone' Image

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:51:23 +0000

LE BOURGET, France (AP) -- Unmanned aircraft have helped rescue stranded hikers, worked to contain wildfires and gathered data at nuclear accidents. One helped a Russian tanker find its way through Arctic ice to bring oil to a stranded Alaskan community.

These remote-controlled planes have many more potential peacetime uses. But unmanned aircraft have an image problem: They're also known as drones.

Export Revival Underway For Small Businesses

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:48:39 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -- When Lawrence Scheer began selling baby clothes in 2010, he didn't realize it then, but he was on the leading edge of a recovery in small business exports.

Scheer's company, Magnificent Baby, manufactures its products in China and then sells them in about 20 countries around the world.

"Our goal from the beginning was to sell as much clothes as possible — so when international interest was there, we pursued it," says Scheer, whose business is based in New York.

Kolcraft Recalls Strollers Due To Wheel Blowouts

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:46:11 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

The government watchdog group said there have been 39 reports of inner tube ruptures that have caused the wheel rim to break off and become a projectile. The incidents took place mostly when the tires were being inflated, causing cuts and bruises to arms, legs, torso and head or face.

United Tech Sees Possible Impact From Court Order

alawrence — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:33:17 +0000

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- A federal court order that United Technologies Corp. pay $473 million plus interest to compensate for alleged fraud in its sale of fighter jet engines could cut into revenue and profit, the aerospace giant said in a regulatory filing.

Judge Thomas M. Rose of the U.S. Southern District Court of Ohio issued the order on Monday. The Department of Justice had accused United Technologies subsidiary Pratt & Whitney of violating the False Claims Act, resulting in alleged overpayments for F100 jet engines from 1985 to 1990.