MFG.com Launches Standard Parts!

Sourcing professionals and engineers now have the ability to source for standard parts in addition to custom parts on MFG.com. By sourcing for standard parts on MFG.com, community members have the ability to:

• source in a secure and private environment with the ability to negotiate cost from the initial purchase to the complete fulfillment of the order
• manage supplier and RFQ distribution lists, locate items and contact the supplier directly
• source not only by part number but by alternate part number, national stock number or technical attributes
• upload or link to engineering prints and files that accompany the RFQ

In addition, there are no membership fees and no ghost inventories. So if you are looking to source a standard part, go to your MFG.com dashboard, click on "Create an RFQ," and then select standard parts. Should you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact our customer service team at 888-404-9686 or by email at support@mfg.com.

Industry News from Around the Globe

ISM Report – United States

According to the April 2007 Manufacturing Report on Business, "economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the third consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 66th consecutive month."

The report was issued today by Norbert J. Ore, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "Manufacturing activity increased in April as the PMI reflects accelerating growth for the month. New Orders and Production improved significantly as did Employment. Manufacturers are now in their ninth month of inventory reduction, so supply chains are generally in balance. On the negative side, prices continue to rise at a rapid rate with metals and energy being the areas of greatest concern to buyers."

Industrial economy powering on - Germany

According to the BDI Economic report, the German industry is still the driving force behind their economic upswing. "Production levels and the number of incoming orders in the manufacturing industry are continuing to shoot up. Capacity utilization levels are well above standard. Persistent order and contract volumes should safeguard industrial output for the present. Companies have regained a much more positive outlook on business development."

"Incoming orders for the manufacturing sector went up by another 1.5% in November after they had dropped in the two previous months in the quiet period following large contracts. While foreign orders increased by 2.3%, the volume of orders from domestic clients was considerably smaller (increase of 0.6%). Foreign demand for investment goods picked up (+ 3.0%), further proof that German engineering and equipment enjoys a good international reputation. Continued growth of the global economy is accompanied by intensified investment activity, benefiting German producers in particular."

Chinese Manufacturing Expands

The manufacturing sector expanded at the fastest pace in more than two years for the month of April according to the most recent purchasing managers survey. The index rose to its highest mark since the survey was established over two years ago. Subsequently, the survey results seemed to be heavily supported by increases in energy consumption and production, sectors included in the report. The figure also increases the possibility of even further interest rate hikes by the People's Bank of China in the near future, as growth and inflationary pressures continue to accelerate.

Underlying the improved performance of the manufacturing sector in April was an increase in the rate of growth of new orders to a ten-month high. Although data suggested that the demand was again centered on the domestic market, new export orders increased at a solid and accelerated pace.

Join MFG.com in San Francisco!

Have you ever wondered how Whirlpool, Timken, Northrop Grumman Corporation and BMW control their sourcing and purchasing processes?

MFG.com has partnered with EyeForProcurement to give you access to the world's top procurement and sourcing professionals. Learn how these companies and others like them are leveraging technology to reduce their total spend while streamlining their purchasing processes.

The 2007 Technology for Procurement Forum will be held on June 19th -20th at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway hotel, San Francisco , California. MFG.com has negotiated a special rate to the 2007 Technology for Procurement Forum - a $1500 savings! Go to http://www.eyeforprocurement.com and enter the code "MFG" to register for $495.

So register today and profit from everything you'll learn in just two days: presentations from top sourcing professionals, informative panel sessions, interactive roundtables and hands-on workshops.

Buyer Spotlight – Electromechanica

Electromechanica, an engineering, design and prototyping provider has found that sourcing online has helped them to save tens of thousands of dollars. According to Karl Edminster, President and Founder of Electromechanica, "by making the world our sourcing neighborhood, we no longer have to settle for the prices that our local suppliers were demanding. MFG.com has helped to simplify the sourcing process and saved us money, what else could you ask for?"

Supplier Spotlight – Sherwood Machining & Tooling

Travis Sherwood is the sole owner and operator of Havana, Kansas-based, Sherwood Machining & Tooling. With over 15 years of job shop experience, Sherwood is specializes in dies, injection blow & rotational molding, fixtures, tooling and custom made trimming machines.

"I always wanted to open my own shop and because of MFG.com my dream came true," said Travis Sherwood. "We have won over 80 jobs on the site and we look forward to continuing to do high-quality machining and tooling jobs for MFG.com's buyer community."