Fed reports 0.2% increase in manufacturing output in Dec. | Clorox to open factory, add 100 jobs in W.Va. | Nidec Minster looks to grow through M&A, remanufacturing
US manufacturing output increased by 0.2% in December, according to Federal Reserve data, on the strength on nonautomotive durable goods, food, beverages and other items. Motor vehicle and part manufacturing fell by 4.6%.
Clorox will open a manufacturing plant in Berkeley County, W.Va., that will produce Fresh Step and Scoop Away cat litter. The site will be the company's third in the state and will employ 100 people.
Material forming equipment manufacturer Nidec Minster is looking for companies to acquire that "would be a good strategic fit and help us provide better end-to-end solutions for our customers," says Chief Financial Officer Ron Arling. The company last year spent $8.6 million to expand an Ohio site for remanufacturing.
Firewall vendors have kept their products relevant by adding intrusion prevention system capabilities and other security features, writes Tufin Chairman and CEO Ruvi Kitov. Even with the rise in cloud computing, firewalls remain important for on-premises security and the internet of things, he writes.
Deciding to make a product can be more expensive for manufacturers than buying it unless all costs are considered, writes Kevin Carson of Firefly Consulting. He recommends comparing the total cost of ownership, considering how making a part fits into a strategic plan, evaluating the real newness of a part and making sure internal costing is accurate.
The four BIRD technologies -- blockchain, the internet of things, robotic process automation and data science -- can benefit supply chain operations if used together, writes Agility CEO Tarek Sultan Al Essa.
Almost 70% of manufacturers say they will introduce or expand training programs this year, with the industry planning to spend a collective $26.2 billion on upskilling, according to The Manufacturing Institute. "You should know entering manufacturing that your employer is going invest in you, because you are their greatest resource," says Carolyn Lee, the institute's executive director.
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