Archive for August, 2008
August 29th, 2008
While we may think China’s manufacturing sector is doing wonderfully well, this article talks about “a number of manufacturers and industries in China are facing very difficult times”. “Though you don’t hear it reported much in the U.S., some Chinese manufacturers are operating now at a loss and many have been severely impacted”.
U.S. manufacturers need to adjust their China strategy to remain competitive….read the rest of the story…..
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=17030
August 28th, 2008
My summer has flown by and I feel November is just around the corner. I have considered writing this letter multiple times over the last few months….like when I went to the Eigerlab to meet with a small network of companies to discuss doing work together for a industry in need in Canada or to meet about drawings for a newly designed product—I could not help but think of Congressman Don Manzullo and what a great support to networking and innovation in this region and the USA he has been. Or when I was at the Energy fair in Oregon, IL, last week, I spoke with friends manning the Democratic Candidates booth (I am from Ogle county) we spoke candidly about Don and the great things he has helped bring to the region, conversations he has started all over the United States about keeping manufacturing strong in our USA and the strong input he has on the Hill. He and those who work for him do their homework and change the way other representatives who are sent to Washington to represent their District think.
Yes, I am a huge Manzullo fan. I am hoping that if you are Republican, Democrat or Independent you will not vote for changing our representation of this US House of Representative’s seat. I wrote a letter to the editor along these lines but with more details of my arguement in support of Manzullo. Look for that!
August 28th, 2008
 US GDP rebounds with 3.3% growth
 Tax rebates have encouraged consumers to spend more |
The US economy grew at a revised 3.3% annually in the second quarter of 2008, the Commerce Department said, much higher than its first estimate of 1.9%.
The rebound was linked to strong US exports, helped by the weak dollar, while government tax rebates also boosted consumer spending.
GDP grew at a rate of 0.9% in the first quarter, after a 0.2% contraction in the last three months of 2007.
The Federal Reserve has warned the economy will remain weak this year.
“While we’re not out of the woods yet, maybe we’re beginning to see some sunlight,” said John Wilson, equity strategist at Morgan Keegan.
“At some point, the market will begin to look through the trough and gauge the strength of the coming upturn.”
‘No recession’
The data showed that exports grew at an annualised rate of 13.2%, higher than the government’s initial estimate of 9.2%.
Imports fell at a rate of 7.6% as the US economic slowdown reduced demands for goods made overseas.
The improved trade balance added 3.1 percentage points to second-quarter GDP, the biggest since 1980.
The slowdown in the housing market was evident, as builders cut back and businesses reduced their spending.
Consumer spending, boosted by the government’s $600 tax rebate payments, rose by 1.7%, slightly higher than the previous quarter’s 1.5%.
Some observers said that the figures lent support to the argument that the US was not heading for a recession.
“For a recession the economy is certainly growing very quickly,” said Avery Shenfeld, senior economist at CIBC World Markets.
“A lot of that growth is driven off exports and pessimists might say that can’t continue during slowing growth overseas.
“But I would say this happened precisely during the period of slowing growth overseas … this is still an economy that faces slow times but not a recession.”
Courtesy: BBC News.UK
August 27th, 2008
Where McCain and Obama stand on small business issues…..and where they differ…according to a poll of 400 business owners conducted by Suffolk University for turnaround specialists American Management Services. Small business owners and their employees represen 32% of all registered voters. See the table below….
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_68/s0808021470964.htm
August 25th, 2008
What a great turnout this morning for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Stenstrom Center. Approximately 100 attended and all media were there to record this milestone event in local education. 47 of the students were in attendance with approximately 1/2 were females! When the ribbon was cut, they were there with Michael Cermak holding the scissors and ribbon.
These sophomores appeared excited to venture into a “new and different way to do education” as student Darnita Coleman said in her comments.
This program can be a regional one as Michael said and with Supt. Michael Houselog, Belvidere in attendance to watch his student among the other students from District 205, it is becoming a reality.
Plenty of media will be covering this story further, and we’re off to a great start. Thanks to District 205 Administration and their board and all the community who contributed in making this happen!
August 22nd, 2008
You are invited to attend!!!
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the first day of classes at Rockford’s new Academic Career Education High School on its first day of classes, Monday, August 25. The ribbon cutting ceremony will include brief remarks and a school tour. The chamber played a key role in advocating for the creation of the new high school.
We hope you might attend to show your support for the school, and appreciation to the School Board and administration for seizing the opportunity to create this new school.
When: Monday, August 25 at 11 a.m.
Where: Academic Career Education High School at the Stenstrom Center
4151 Samuelson Rd., Rockford
About ACE High School: Rockford Public Schools is launching ACE High School this year in an effort to give high schools students exposure to technical studies and a new style of work-based learning. Students enter at the sophomore level and take the standard math, science, English, PE/health and elective courses. In addition, they explore areas of critical workforce need, like health care, manufacturing, aerospace and engineering technologies. The school will welcome 47 students in its first year.
The following individuals will make brief remarks prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony:
· Darnita Coleman, ACE High School’s first registered student
· Einar Forsman, Rockford Chamber President & CEO
· Linda Hernandez, Rockford Public Schools Superintendent
· Michael Cermak, ACE High School Principal
· Bob Trojan, Rockford Chamber Board Member and President, Rockford Linear Actuation
August 21st, 2008
Growth in U.S. manufacturing will be led by exports, capital investment and growth abroad…
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=17047
August 20th, 2008
One of the sponsors for a Manufacturing Camp was the Fabricators and Manufacturers Foundation. Go to this link to hear students discuss their experience on a radio interview pod cast.
http://www.podcasternews.com/bpp/5191/Â
http://www.fmafoundation.com/
Camp photos are also availalbe at www.wotm-rockford.com/
Also, for the first time an the Waterfront there will be a Robotics team competition. Right out on the State Street bridge at 1PM on Sunday. Teams from a 100 mile radius will be participate. If you haven’t seen these robots up close be sure to catch them. What these teams build in six weeks is phenominal!
August 19th, 2008
Even as the economy slumps and unemployment rises, strong demand for power plants, oil refineries and export goods has many manufacturers and construction contractors scrambling to find enough skilled workers to plug current and future holes.
With the shortage of welders, pipe fitters and other high-demand workers likely to get worse as more of them reach retirement age, unions, construction contractors and other businesses are trying to figure out how to attract more young people to those fields.
Their challenge: overcoming the perception that blue-collar trades offer less status, money and chance for advancement than white-collar jobs, and that college is the best investment for everyone.
Follow the rest of the story….
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910464115051361.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks
August 18th, 2008
Planning is moving forward rapidly.
Student Day, September 9th is filling up with 200 plus students from Belvidere North, Jefferson, Guilford, Roosevelt, ACS, and Keith. We still need a few Mentors to ride the bus and spend time at the event with the students.
Networking Day, September 10th is almost filled, a few more sponsors will complete our plan.
Any interest in either event, see the links below.
http://blogs.e-rockford.com/manufacturing/2008/07/30/imts-update-3-student-day/
http://blogs.e-rockford.com/manufacturing/2008/07/31/imts-update-4-networking-reception-sept-10th/
Rockford will be well represented!
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