A reading of U.S. manufacturing output reached a four-month high in July, according to data released Monday. The HIS Markit flash U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 53.2 from 52 in June, as there was acceleration in readings for output, new orders, employment and stocks of input.

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AGCO Corp, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, announced today that it is increasing the efficiency, quality and safety of its manufacturing programs by doubling the number of Glass, an assisted reality, wearable headset device being used in its Jackson, Minn., factory and will begin using Glass at six additional factories. The Jackson facility manufactures complex, custom configured Challenger and Massey Ferguson agricultural machines.

Real GDP grew 1.4 percent in the first quarter, pulled lower by weak inventory spending and softer-than-desired consumer spending. At the same time, business investment was a bright spot in the report, and, according to new data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so was manufacturing. Real value added output rebounded in the first quarter, up 4.7 percent after falling by 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter. As a result, manufacturers contributed 0.54 percentage points to headline growth in the first quarter, a notable improvement from the 0.39 percentage point drag seen in the fourth quarter. Indeed, it was the largest industrial contributor to real GDP growth in the release.

Manfuacturing.net
BDO presents its 2017 Manufacturing Riskfactor Report, in a helpful infographic.

In March, the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey from the NAM rose to an all-time high in the survey’s 20-year history, with 93.3 percent of respondents positive about their own company outlook. Three months later, manufacturers remain very upbeat. In the latest report, 89.5 percent were either somewhat or very positive about their own company outlook. This pullback in confidence mirrors easing in other sentiment surveys, even as they continue to present an encouraging assessment of overall conditions. In this case, the percentage of manufacturers, positive in their outlook, has averaged 91.4 percent over the first and second quarters of 2017, the highest consecutive two-quarter average in the survey’s history.

Strong demand in Europe, Asia and Russia helped truck maker Volvo post a threefold increase in second-quarter profits, but faltering sales in North America prompted a sharp fall in the company’s share price. 

It is all about the customer. Whether discussing product innovation, shop floor processes or IT investments, the underlying priority is likely to be related to customer alignment. Building customer relationships is the key to repeat sales, brand loyalty and products which are immune to commoditization and price wars. This customer focus applies to warehouse priorities too. And, despite increasing complexities in inventory management, software solutions can help manufacturers optimize processes to support a customer-centric approach.

Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute have teamed up to conduct a multi-year research initiative to better understand the U.S. public perception of manufacturing. Among the findings, roughly 8 in 10 surveyed continue to view U.S. manufacturing vital to maintaining economic prosperity, but only 50 percent of Americans think manufacturing jobs are interesting and less than 30 percent are likely to encourage their children to pursue a career.

Luxembourg seems to be in a rush to achieve its goal of becoming Europe’s hub for space mining, as it announced Monday a deal with a newly created company specializing in geolocation services and developing space infrastructure.

Drone start-ups are transforming the way data is collected, property is inspected, and goods are delivered, says CB Insights, citing 70 drone start-ups with 32 in Q1 valued at $113 million.

A robot developed by the MIT University could help bring down the enormous cost of laying underground and undersea cables. The machine is being called RoboClam — because it was based on how clams behave — is a relatively small device and it’s been called "the Ferrari of underwater diggers" because it’s particularly good at digging through soft, watery soil or sand.

Come see why the Fall Technical Meeting (FTM) is the best opportunity to learn and share with some of the foremost experts in the gear industry. Speaking on design, analysis, manufacturing, application and gear drives, you will hear directly from the researchers about the results of their work. If that isn’t enough, you will be able to have intriguing discussions with some of the most knowledgeable gear industry professionals from all over the world that have gathered to hear the impressive papers and special presentations.

Today’s cars and SUVs, packed with revolutionary technologies are nothing like the vehicles of several decades ago. Nor is leadership among the world’s largest automakers, including General Motors (GM), Ford Motor (F), and Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) as the industry confronts one of the most transformational periods in its history.

Steel stocks are trading at the highest since 2011 and it’s mostly thanks to the industry’s biggest menace in recent years: China. Demand in China, which produces half the world’s steel, has been surprisingly strong this year and the country closed some plants to ease a glut that had spread across the globe. That’s led to a steep drop in exports, helping steel prices extend a recovery and pushing a Bloomberg gauge of global steel stocks up 45 percent in the past year. That’s triple the advance in the Bloomberg World Mining Index.

Gao Feng, a business consultancy headquartered in China, has released a new paper about the revolution in auto mobility in China. China’s unique set of urban transportation challenges, very high rate of adoption of mobile internet services, and rapid and aggressive introduction of alternative mobility solutions have combined to make China a global breeding ground for mobility innovation.

Governor Phil Scott today announced Bennington’s NSK Steering Systems America Inc has received a $208,753 Vermont Training Program Grant from the Vermont Department of Economic Development to create a Manufacturing Center of Excellence that will broaden the capabilities of current and future employees.

For a few years, steady growth in auto manufacturing helped prop up regional economies recovering from the recession. But new data indicate that the industry’s momentum has stalled. 

After a prolonged recovery that culminated in two years of record sales, the American auto industry is slowing down, with fewer buyers in dealer showrooms and fewer workers on the factory floor. Automakers said this week that sales dropped in June for a sixth consecutive month, falling by 3 percent from a year ago, a trend that analysts do not see letting up anytime soon. And as demand falls, there is less work in the nation’s auto-assembly plants — primarily those that build traditional passenger cars.