CONSISTENT GROWTH

The Institute for Supply Management is reporting manufacturing in the U.S. grew for the 13th consecutive month in August, while the overall U.S. economy has grown for 16 consecutive months. We know that this doesn’t mean the recovery is a sure thing, or that potential down months aren’t ahead. We’ve also got long way to go to reach pre-recession levels. But it does indicate we’ve risen off the bottom and, through innovation and drive, manufacturing is leading the way.

Read the complete article here

TAKE A VIDEO TOUR OF DALCO

We can't say enough about our business relationship with Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the growth they've help us bring about through Five-S coaching and LEAN training.

Now, you can take a video tour of our facilities in Walworth, as Dalco President Bill Ring highlights some of the customer-focused changes we've made.

MANUFACTURING AND THE RECOVERY

It's been slow...but steady. Despite its fluctuations, Amrican manufacturing contiues to grow, and the prognosis is good. Though in the single digits, there have been three consecutive months of growth and, according to Norbert Ore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing Business Survey committee, "the sector appear to be solidly entrenched in the recovery." The same is reflected in the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey and trends in the auto industry.

You can read the complete BizTimes article here.

WHOSE INNOVATION IS IT ANYWAY?

We hear the word ‘innovation’ used a lot these days. But, when it comes to manufacturing, nobody defines it better than Mike Klonsinski, Executive Director of Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

In his recent article, 'Whose Innovation is it Anyway,' Klonsinski compares the conventional wisdom of innovation (research and development from laboratories and universities) with real-world innovation (“…the ability to anticipate customer needs and then deliver products, services, and solutions to meet those needs…profitably, rapidly, continuously.”)

He’s not knocking R & D by any means, but cites examples of Wisconsin companies who are innovating at a basic level, and reaping the rewards!

You can read his complete article here.

DALCO RECOGNIZED BY WMEP

Has your company gone LEAN? If so, you’re more efficient, save money, and can serve your customers better than ever before. These days, you’ve got to keep innovating to stay ahead of change. Here at Dalco, we’re working with some outstanding change agents from Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Their guidance with Lean manufacturing and 5S helped make us more efficient, and gave our employers more control over their jobs. The results have been incredible.

Read more about Dalco’s journey with WMEP here.

MANUFACTURING CONTINUES TO GROW

This from Milwaukee-based BizTimes Magazine:

Manpower survey shows continued manufacturing, related industry hiring recovery

Employers around the country anticipate more hiring in the third quarter of this year, marking the third consecutive quarter of job growth, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey conducted by Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc.. Manufacturing and related industries are among the industries that anticipate continued job growth, the survey says.
Eighteen percent of the more than 18,000 businesses surveyed plan to hire more workers in the third quarter, while eight percent anticipate a decrease – leaving a net employment outlook of +10 percent. Seventy percent of those surveyed expect no change in employment.
“We have been waiting for the labor market to show signs of sustained recovery,” said Jeff Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower. “The survey results for the third quarter are indicating a trend of hiring retention that has historically proven to be the positive inflection point of accelerated job growth.”
About nine percent of durable goods manufacturers anticipate hiring more workers, while about 12 percent of non-durable goods manufacturers will increase employment. About 17 percent of companies in the mining sector will hire more employees in the third quarter. About nine percent of the transportation and utilities and eight percent of the construction employers anticipate increased employment as well.
“Although we are still facing a difficult labor market, more employers indicate confidence about the direction of their businesses, and with that comes an intention to increase their workforces,” said Jonas Prising, president of the Americas with Manpower. “We are in the early stages of the job recovery, and although we have a long way to go, the job market will continue to improve from there.”

DALCO FEATURED IN MODERN METALS

You’ll find a terrific article on Dalco Metals in this month’s Modern Metals Magazine.

We’re proud to have been chosen by Modern Metals to talk about our 0.25-inch, 0.25-inch-by-72-inch cut-to-length line, and our 0.187-inch slitters from Braner. Chuck Damore, Executive Vice-President of Braner comments "At Dalco, all of the lines can handle anything from really thin-gauge, soft material to high-strength applications," he says. "[It’s] carbon steel, typically--cold rolled, galvanized, hot-rolled pickled and oiled, hot-rolled black and high-strength materials."

Check out the full article in Modern Metals here.