Products People & Policy

Here’s an amazing statistic:

Manufacturing employment can grow by more than 300,000 jobs every year and the economy can grow by an additional $1.5 trillion if manufacturing’s share of the U.S. economy rose from 12 percent to 15 percent — where it was at the beginning of the last decade.

Sounds easy, but it'll be a major challenge...but one that can be realistically achieved.

So what do we need to do to achieve it? Jay Timmons, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Manufacturers says it “comes down to a focus on three specific areas: products, people and policy.”

His specific strategies for each are featured in the current issue of Fabricating & Metalworking Magazine. See the complete article here.

Metal in Memphis

We usually associate the City of Memphis with good food and music (especially Elvis). But few people know that Memphis is also home of the country’s largest and most prestigious Museum of Metalworks.

While the metal artwork displayed is a long way from the steel that’s cut and stamped in the manufacturing sector, visitors do learn a lot about raw materials, like differences in weight and the grain-like structure of wrought iron vs. mild steel. Timelines are important, too, taking visitors from hand-crafting done by blacksmiths to modern day 3-D printing.

The Metal Museum is featured in this month’s issue of Modern Metals Magazine.

Manufacturing Show Spotlights Technology & Jobs

What started out 8 years ago as a welding event has become a major event, showcasing the skills of students while promoting today’s manufacturing.

The Chippewa Valley Technical College Manufacturing Show drew more than 2000 visitors earlier this month in Eau Claire to explore a variety of high-tech manufacturing equipment and career opportunities. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker told the crowd “we need to encourage the next generation of workers by educating everyone about the great, family-supporting jobs available.”

Find out more in this article from the Eau Claire Leader Telegram

When a Fabricator Retires

When Wayne Bagby, of Augusta, Kansas, retired as metal fabricator for Boeing, he didn’t stop fabricating. He just turned his attention to his next passion….restoring his 1936 Chevy pickup.

You don't have to be into old cars and trucks to admire Bagby's work. In this month’s Fabricator Magazine (linked from the Wichita Eagle), he details how he used his automotive skills to rebuild the drivetrain while putting his fabricating skills to rebuild the bed and tailgate.

The results are amazing.

Check out the pictures, and more, here.

These Manufacturers Stood Out

With a nod to all companies engaged in manufacturing, the annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards were presented recently. Mercury Marine, Gallery Foods, Tailored Label Products and Badger Alloys won in their respective categories. Nine companies from a pool of 34 nominees were recognized.

The annual awards are sponsored by accounting firm Baker Tilly, law firm Michael Best & Friedrich and the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

Read more about it from JS Online here.

and see a complete list of this year’s winners here.

Korean Steel Escapes Tariffs

The Department of Commerce did not impose anti-dumping duties on oil and natural gas pipe products from South Korea, ranked as the largest exporter among nine nations targeted in a trade case filed by U.S. Steel Corp. and others.

Although imports continue to increase, the Commerce Department found that product coming in from Korea did not meet ‘dumping’ guidelines. Although Korea is the largest importer to the US with 894,300 tons in 2013, tariffs have been placed on products coming from five other countries, including India and Vietnam.

Read more about it here from TribLive.com.

New Realities…New Opportunities

The future is looking good...for manufacturing, and for employment.

Among the hot topics leading into 2014 is the industry drive for more talented, prepared workers in both the short and long term.

Here’s a different look at the topic. A Modern Metals “Special Report” first looks at the common misconceptions about worker shortages (like the so-called ‘permanent loss of jobs to off-shoring’). Then, they look at the basic, though challenging, steps every manufacturer can take to ensure a stronger, more prepared workforce.

Great reading to kick off the year. Find the complete article here.