Industry News from Around the Globe

According to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December following a one-month decline, while the overall economy grew for the 62nd consecutive month.

The report was issued by Norbert J. Ore, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "Manufacturing proved resilient in December, as the PMI returned to growth registering 51.4 percent after a decline (under 50 percent) in November. Both New Orders and Production made significant gains to drive the PMI back above the breakeven point. Manufacturing employment remained relatively unchanged as the Employment Index shows a negligible change for the second consecutive month. The Prices Index is trending downward, relieving some of the inflationary pressure that has troubled manufacturing since the middle of 2003."

In Europe, according to Eurostat, "the euro area industrial producer price index remained unchanged in November 2006 compared to October 2006, while EU25 prices increased by 0.2 percent. In October, prices remained unchanged in the euro area and gained 0.3 percent in the EU25. In November 2006 compared to November 2005, industrial producer prices rose by 4.3 percent in the euro area and by 3.7 percent in the EU25."

Top Manufacturing Trends to Watch in 2007

According to IndustryWeek and EDS , the top manufacturing trends to look out for in 2007 are increasing customer demands, outsourcing of non-core competencies, flexibility and competition.

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E-Sourcing Update

Purchasing magazine recently ran an article highlighting their annual Benchmark E-Sourcing Survey, which showed an increase in the percentage of spend going through e-sourcing tools (almost 50%) from 2005 to 2006. Graphs detailing the survey's findings are included below.

Buyer Spotlight – Chase Logeman

North Carolina-based Chase Logeman specializes in the creation of filling systems. "By sourcing our machining needs through MFG.com, we've been able to evolve our workforce," says Lewis Stier, operations manager for Chase Logeman. "Rather than having an operator standing at one or more CNC mills or lathes, we now have a flex force where we can redirect our employees to where they're needed most. This is good for them, in that it's not the same thing everyday, day after day, and very good for the company in terms of response time. If our source for parts and components is reliable, we can very often test and deliver one of our systems ahead of schedule."

Supplier Spotlight – Express Image

Minnesota-based Express Image provides OEMs around the world with screen-printed and digital offset decals that meet the requirements of outdoor equipment manufacturers, industrial machine manufacturers and retail point of purchase display buyers. When it comes to using MFG.com, Express Image has found that if they can begin by doing one or two jobs for a buyer in the MFG.com community then they usually end up supplying them with many more parts in years to come. According to Jeff Miller of Express Image, "By using MFG.com, we are able to find customers who have an immediate need for our services. Our fast turnarounds, low price, and excellent service are what our customers rely on us for. Selling printed graphics into the OEM industry is not always easy, and is best done with good timing. MFG.com provides that resource for both us and the buyer."