June 26th, 2009
The impact of this legislation on local area manufacturers has yet to really be felt. As a supplier to foundries, my company could be hurt if these foundries do not meet emission compliance or if their costs escalate because of the emission controls needed and if their energy costs increase thus increasing costs to their customers and drive them offshore, manufacturers like me lose business. Think of how many other local suppliers to such industries could also be affected. It’s as simple as that.
Think of those of us who use steel in our products. If they are getting their steel from U.S. steel mills, who in turn are subject to the emission control requirements that will require them to spend money on control equipment, will they be able to get funds from the banks? What if they do and they must pass on those increased costs to their customers? And what about the increased mandated energy cost increases? Who will pay for them? Well, in this case, our local manufacturer will try to pass costs on to his customer who in turn will shop overseas looking at India, China or others who do not adhere to the emissions program.
Who wins and who loses?
June 26th, 2009
I find it incredible the amount of blogging taking place about MJ and so LITTLE about the local economy, jobs, cap and trade that will drive more manufacturing away from America.
Are these our priorities?
Or just an easier topic to waste ones time on?
Get a life people and wake up and pay attention to what is really going on!
There’s a lot more of you that derive your paycheck from manufacturing than you could ever hope to get from MJ.
June 26th, 2009
This workshop will enable participants to conduct an assessment of their capabilities relative to customer requirements, and develop an initial plan for penetrating the market. WindEnergy
June 26th, 2009
As Doug Hall, owner of EurekaRanch and a leading innovation guru has said, “If you ain’t unique, you better be cheap!” A large percentage of companies studied in the recent Next Generation Manufacturing Survey indicated that innovation was highly important to their business; however, they aren’t necessarily investing heavily in this area or even creating strong measurements to direct change and create goals for new product introductions. Results of new products introduced and % sales gained from new products indicates that companies probably aren’t satisfied with the results they are achieving in this area. The data suggests that smaller Illinois companies tend to invest more as a % of sales, although they tend to get the same sales results. Rockford companies surveyed indicated they invested a bit less and had fewer new product introductions when compared to Illinois companies that responded to the study. Perhaps there are inherent business differences between Rockford companies that responded vs. those that responded in the rest of the state, but we shouldn’t become complacent. New product introductions are a way to grow businesses and a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. We should continue to invest and seek out ways to improve in this area.
Source: IMEC
For Further Information, Contact:
Mary Hallock
Manufacturing Specialist
815-721-4474 Office
815-753-8729 Fax
mhallock@imec.org
June 26th, 2009
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) will vote against the job-killing cap and tax bill when it comes to the House floor today because it will give foreign companies a huge competitive advantage over American manufacturers, putting 2.5 million more Americans out of work without ensuring a cleaner environment for future generations.
The legislation puts severe limits on energy usage in the United States and could double or triple energy costs for most American manufacturers, putting them at a huge disadvantage with their competitors from China, India and other foreign countries not required to comply with such limits. A study by the National Black Chamber of Commerce estimates the bill would devastate U.S. manufacturers, causing many to go overseas to avoid the energy taxes and putting 2.5 million Americans out of work by 2030.
Manzullo attempted to amend the bill to eliminate the International Climate Change Adaptation Program, which would give companies in China, India and other “developing nations” up to 4 percent of the overall allowable carbon credits, taking them away from U.S. manufacturers and forcing American companies to essentially pay for the continued pollution of their primary competitors in China and India. Democrat House leaders would not even allow Manzullo’s amendment to come to the floor for a vote.
In addition, the energy caps will cause the price of American-made products to surge along with the utility bills of American families. President Obama himself – while on the campaign trail last year – said his cap and trade bill would cause electricity rates to “necessarily skyrocket.”
“At a time when unemployment is over 10 percent in northern Illinois and many employers are struggling to survive, this misguided cap and tax bill will put millions more Americans out of work and surge utility costs for all Americans. And amazingly, it will not ensure a cleaner environment for future generations because the biggest polluters in the world – China and India – have indicated their desire to keep the pedal to the floor and continue polluting at will,” Manzullo said “Some scientists even say that if we completely eliminated all carbon emissions from the United States tomorrow, China and India would replace all of it in the atmosphere within 10 years. This is mind-boggling.”
Manzullo supports alternative legislation that promotes innovation, conservation, and responsible production of energy as a way to achieve America’s energy independence and a cleaner, healthier planet.
The American Energy Innovation Act represents a fiscally responsible approach to reducing our dependence on foreign energy, providing a cleaner environment, and putting Americans to work by:
- Encouraging innovation within the energy market to create the renewable fuel options and energy careers of tomorrow.
- Promoting greater conservation and efficiency by providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
Increasing the production of American energy by responsibly utilizing all available resources and technologies and streamlining burdensome regulations.
