Bloomberg Gains in manufacturing boosted the U.S. expansion in August, led by a surge in orders for plastics and metals that powered the world’s largest economy past a global slowdown. The Institute for Supply Management’s index unexpectedly climbed to 59, the highest level since March 2011, from July’s 57.1, beating all forecasts in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

Reuters Growth in China's vast factory sector slackened in August as foreign and domestic demand slowed, stoking speculation that further policy easing would be needed to prevent the economy from stumbling once more. The surveys of purchasing managers (PMI) from across Asia told a tale of underwhelming new orders and faltering exports, overshadowing brighter spots such as India and Taiwan.

The AGMA 2014 Fall Technical Meeting (FTM) provides an outstanding opportunity for you to receive the latest research in the field, network with your peers, and learn about latest methods and cutting edge technologies in the gearing industry today.

BBC Growth in the manufacturing sector has slowed, with both new orders and output increasing less rapidly than before, two surveys have suggested. The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged down in August to 52.5 from 54.8 in July, its lowest reading for 14 months.

Reuters Russian manufacturing kept expanding slowly in August, a survey showed on Monday, suggesting the sector is holding up despite concerns about the economic impact of the Ukraine crisis. The HSBC purchasing managers' index for manufacturing, which accounts for around 16 percent of the Russian economy, held steady at 51.0, above the 50.0 mark that separates expansion from contraction.

Reuters Spain's manufacturing sector expanded for the ninth straight month in August as new orders flooded in and firms took on more staff as the economy recovers, a survey showed on Monday.

IndiaToday Auto makers have been building their bases in India for more than a decade. Now it is their turn to make the country into an export hub for several global auto markets. Interestingly, India is on course to overtake Thailand in global auto-export market share by 2020, as per a report by Standard Chartered Bank.

Manufacturing.net On Labor Day 2014, workers in Northeastern Pennsylvania face a job market that has changed considerably over the past several years, while some employers say they can't find new hires with the skills and work habits they need. The mismatch is reflected in an unemployment rate that, while down substantially since the end of the Great Recession, has remained the highest in the state for more than four years.

Bloomberg Business activity in the Chicago area climbed in August as orders accelerated, a sign that manufacturing will continue to add momentum to the economy. The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago Inc.’s business barometer rose to 64.3 this month from 52.6 in July. The median forecast of 44 economists in a Bloomberg survey projected the index would climb to 56.5. Readings greater than 50 signal growth.

IndustryWeek Siemens Industry CEO opens up about his role in the American Manufacturing Renaissance and what it means for manufacturing, the workforce and the industries of the future.

Los Angeles Times The largest manufacturing workforce in the country is based in the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana metropolitan area, according to government figures. As of July, the region had 510,900 manufacturing workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Kansas City Star Employers say they can’t find the talent they need to run their sophisticated factory equipment. And job hunters who don’t match the openings keep looking for work. The result: In a sector that employs 73.6 million nationally, there are an estimated 600,000 manufacturing job openings. A similar vacancy share probably exists locally.

WGNS Radio With Middle and East Tennessee being a major player among four states and 69 counties, leaders from across the region gathered at MTSU recently to discuss future strategy on advanced manufacturing of automobiles. And in the far-reaching aspects of it all, there will be far-reaching implications for MTSU in the Tennessee DRIVE for the Future Manufacturing Community initiative.

Plant Engineering We are in the midst of an industrial technology and energy systems convergence that is driving a change in the world over. In the past six years, the pace of innovation and development in the industrial automation sector has moved into overdrive. In North America, manufacturers are adopting digitized systems and secure connectivity across the factory floor and are taking advantage of reliable and cost-effective technologies for energy savings.

Triangle Business Journal North Carolina’s community colleges have been adding programs to train students become more job ready, particularly in industries like manufacturing. Despite a stubbornly high unemployment rate, employers in manufacturing say they cannot find enough qualified workers.

Manufacturing Business Technology More and more these days we are hearing about big data challenges and opportunities. So what exactly is big data and why should supply chain professionals care about the idea?

CAPA Centre for Aviation Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Corporation and the Development Bank of Japan concluded a three-way formal agreement on their respective investments into a new commercial aero engine company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, to be launched on Oct. 1, 2014.

3DPrint.com We have already seen several incredible applications of 3D printing and its connection to space travel. Both NASA, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are pushing the boundaries of the technology in several directions, in the process taking advantage of the infinite complexity that additive manufacturing puts into the hand of designers and engineers. With 3D printing, almost anything seems to be possible.

Bidness Etc The Pentagon recently announced that it is looking into possible alternatives to Rolls-Royce’s AE1107C engines for the V-22 aircraft, in an effort to cut the V-22 Osprey aircraft program’s costs. Two of the Rolls-Royce engines are currently installed on each V-22 aircraft.

Bidness Etc The delivery of Pratt & Whitney’s engines for Lockheed Martin’s (LMT) F-35 fighter jets were suspended in May this year. The company suspects the origins of the titanium used in the engine’s fan-variable vane arm, supplied by A&P Alloys.

Auto World News General Motors' all-American announcement on Wednesday that it was moving SUV production and jobs from Mexico to Spring Hill, Tenn., may not have been the whole story. The automaker is also moving production of the Chevrolet Equinox from the Tennessee plant to Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, a shift that could partially offset job gains at the U.S. facility, according to an exclusive Reuters report.

ReinforcedPlastics.com GE Aviation is designing a new composite fan blade using 'next-generation' carbon fiber composite material for GE9X engine which will be used on the Boeing 777X aircraft. Aircraft engines have traditionally been the domain of metal but aero engine manufacturers are now saving substantial weight by using composites in the fan blades and containment case.

IndustryWeek South Korean carmaker Kia Motors on Wednesday announced plans to build its first auto assembly plant in Mexico. The $1 billion plant is to be built near the city of Monterrey in northern Mexico and would begin operations in 2016.

Manufacturing Business Technology Being able to track a part, product or component through a manufacturing process can go a long way in preventing defects, recalls, product returns and combating counterfeit components. Ultimately, a solid traceability process will save your company time and money while improving your brand's integrity. See the value of traceability in the infographic.

Manufacturing.net An automotive parts manufacturer is expanding its distribution facility in Smyrna and is expected to create more than 130 additional jobs in Rutherford County. Gov. Bill Haslam and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty say Federal-Mogul is investing more than $6 million to expand.

Manufacturing.net Ford Motor Company reported the hiring of 300 new employees and a $129 million investment in Louisville Assembly Plant to support production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC.

Manufacturing.net The powerhouse combination of mobility, cloud computing, security, and predictive analytics is becoming the ‘holy grail’ across the manufacturing industry, according to Kevin Martin and Michael Kotelec with Verizon’s manufacturing practice.

Ecologist Two innovative renewable energy projects are moving forward in Scotland: Britain's first tidal power array, and the world's first deployment of two-bladed wind offshore turbines. The experimental technologies are hoped to achieve significant cost savings and unlock a huge offshore energy resource.