The mining/construction equipment manufacturer will invest $180 million over two years to rehab a plant in Brazil for new production capacity, and to expand its existing plant in that country. Click to continue
DELOITTE AND THE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE LABOR DAY SURVEY:
September 2, 2010 – The Manufacturing InstituteAmericans Support Nation's Workforce, but See Government Policies Creating a Disadvantage for Manufacturing Sector
NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2010 - Americans expressed faith in the country's workforce but voiced concerns that government policies may be putting the manufacturing sector at a disadvantage and dissuading Americans from pursuing production jobs, according to a new Labor Day survey from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute.
The second annual Public Viewpoint on Manufacturing survey, released today by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, indicates that 78 percent of Americans have a strong view of the significance of manufacturing, seeing it as very important to the country's economic prosperity. A similar number of respondents, 76 percent, indicate that manufacturing is very important to the standard of living in the United States.
Further, the public believes that the American worker is ready and able to participate in a healthy manufacturing sector. When asked to select from a list of 21 attributes that make American manufacturing globally competitive, respondents identified the top three as: work ethic, skilled workforce and productivity - well ahead of non-workforce related attributes like infrastructure and natural resources.
Respondents also looked at the attributes that give the United States an advantage over other nations - again naming our skilled workforce as a top attribute alongside technology, and research and development capabilities.
Attributes Behind U.S. Competitiveness as Ranked by Survey Respondents:
Most important attributes to U.S. competitiveness
- Work ethic
- Skilled workforce
- Productivity
Attributes providing U.S. with biggest advantage
- Technology use & availability
- Skilled workforce
- R & D capabilities
Attributes causing the most concern
- State & federal leadership
- Tax rates on individuals
- Government business policies
Copyright 2010 Deloitte Development LLC and The Manufacturing Institute
"Clearly, the public believes in the importance of manufacturing and the talent of the American worker," said Craig Giffi, vice chairman and Deloitte's consumer & industrial products industry leader in the United States. "These findings fly in the face of the commonly held sentiment that Americans no longer have faith in manufacturing and that the workforce has lost its ability to compete with other parts of the world when it comes to making things. In point of fact, the public has plenty of faith in the American worker, as well as our technology and research capabilities."
"So, why aren't American workers going into manufacturing?" asks Giffi. He says that the answer can be found in the survey results, which indicate that respondents are insecure about the future health of the manufacturing industry: 55 percent think the long term outlook for American manufacturing is weaker than today, and only 30 percent of respondents would encourage their children to pursue a manufacturing career. The survey shows that this trepidation is tied directly to concerns over government policies. Respondents consistently identified government-related factors as the biggest obstacles to the success of manufacturing in the United States; specifically policies relating to business, tax rates on individuals, and both state and federal leadership in this area.
Emily DeRocco, president of The Manufacturing Institute, points out that the public's concerns about manufacturing "do not lie in a poor image of what the jobs are like, as many people seem to think." She explains that the majority of survey respondents, in fact, see manufacturing as futuristic. "When asked if manufacturing is high-tech, 63 percent of respondents strongly agree or agree, and the same amount strongly agree or agree that it requires well-educated, highly skilled workers," DeRocco said.
She added, "The public seems to be getting over its negative view of manufacturing as being dirty and dangerous work for unskilled laborers. What the public needs now is stability and certainty from policy makers. Without that, the public cannot commit itself to a manufacturing renaissance in the United States."
DeRocco sums up the survey by explaining that if the public does not think there is a national manufacturing direction, people are not likely to pursue jobs in the sector or support the construction of new plants in their communities.
Further, she explains that it is hard to imagine a moment in recent history when it has been so important to take advantage of the public's faith in the workforce by investing in training and educating the workers of the future - largely because the industry has taken some serious blows in the wake of the global recession, losing two million manufacturing jobs as a direct result of the economic meltdown.
"The bottom line," says DeRocco, "is that we must reconcile America's belief in the prowess of our workforce with its concerns about policy disadvantages - or we could face discouraging reports for many Labor Days to come."
For more information and to download the survey findings please go to:
http://institute.nam.org/view/2001024535112650658/info
About the Survey
This survey was commissioned by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, and was conducted online by an independent research company in June of 2010. The survey polled a nationally representative sample of 1055 Americans across 50 states and has a margin of error for the entire sample of +/- three percentage points.
About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute is a non-partisan 501(c) (3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers focused on delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers through its Center for the American Workforce and its National Center for Manufacturing Innovation and Research. Visit http://institute.nam.org.
Deloitte
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and Deloitte Services LP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
September 2, 2010 – Quick Manufacturing News
Often overlooked amid talk about job figures and financial data, the issue of disrupted work/life balance is another way that the economic downturn has taken a toll on the American public, with families bearing the brunt of the suffering from this problem. Click to continue
DISCOUNTS SPUR SURPRISING AUG. RETAIL SALES GAINS
September 2, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Nation's retailers are reporting surprisingly solid gains for August, providing a sliver of hope for the economic recovery, but worries still remain about the holiday season ... continue
FACTORY ORDERS RISE IN JULY
September 2, 2010 – LateWire from Manufacturing.net
Orders to U.S. factories managed a slight gain in July as a surge in demand for commercial aircraft helped offset widespread weakness in other areas ... continue
September 2, 2010 – Quick Manufacturing News
'Accurate workplace injury and illness records are vital tools for identifying hazards and protecting workers' health and safety,' said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. Click to continue
NAM INTERVENING IN EPA GREENHOUSE GAS TAILORING SUITS
September 2, 2010 – NAM Capital BriefingVarious states and environmental groups have filed separate challenges to the EPA’s tailoring rule, which rolls out burdensome new Clean Air Act regulations to the largest stationary sources of greenhouse gases around the country. Environmental groups are likely to challenge the EPA’s decision to exempt smaller facilities for a while; the states are likely to challenge the EPA’s plan to retroactively limit its previous approval of pollution thresholds in State Implementation Plans. The NAM and other members of our greenhouse gas litigation coalition moved this week to intervene in these cases to ensure that the interests of manufacturers are fully presented to the judges. See Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA (D.C. Cir.)(tailoring rule) and Alabama v. EPA (D.C. Cir.). Details: Quentin Riegel, (202) 637-3058.
September 2, 2010 – NAM
As Labor Day 2010 approaches, America’s already slow economic recovery is losing momentum. Throughout the country, manufacturers and businesses are concerned about the uncertainty that pervades our economic climate.
In “Labor Day 2010: The Impact of Anti-Labor Policies on Working Men and Women,” the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) examines how manufacturers in the United States have fared in the recession and recent recovery.
We have reached a critical juncture. To boost our struggling economy and chart a course for growth, we must adopt the right policies to enhance U.S. competitiveness. To this end, please take the time to read and share the NAM’s “Labor Day 2010” report by clicking on this link: http://www.nam.org/labordayreport.
Manufacturing can help lead a strong recovery. But, manufacturers need the right policies in order to succeed in this global marketplace.
John Engler
President & CEO
NAM SEEKS TO OVERTURN GREENHOUSE GAS PUBLIC NUISANCE CLAIMS
September 2, 2010 – NAM Capital BriefingThe Supreme Court is considering whether to review a troubling decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that allows eight states to sue six major electric utility companies under a public nuisance theory. The theory is that each state is adversely affected by climate change caused in part by the utilities’ electricity-generating plants, and the courts should impose emissions limits. The NAM and other business groups filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court on September 1 urging that court to review the case. The NAM argued that only the political branches of government are equipped to resolve the complex and dynamic issues relating to climate change regulation, that the plaintiffs’ legal claims exceed the boundaries of public nuisance litigation, and that judges and juries are not empowered or competent to exercise extraordinary regulatory powers without clear boundaries and guiding principles. See American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut. Details: Quentin Riegel, (202) 637-3058.
PROPOSED TSCA INVENTORY UPDATE REPORTING RULE AMENDMENTS
September 2, 2010 - Sheila Jones – Holland and Hart
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is proposing to modify the Inventory Update Reporting (“IUR”) rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 13, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 49656). Comments must be submitted on or before October 12, 2010.
The next IUR report is due in 2011 and EPA intends to issue the proposed rule as a final rule prior to the 2011 submission period, which runs from June 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011. If issued as a final rule, it would apply to 2011 submissions.
The proposed rule includes, among other things, editorial changes to correct errors or eliminate redundancy resulting from prior amendments, new and modified definitions, substantive changes in the reporting process, and changes in the type of information that must be reported. This article will discuss the significant proposed changes.
click here to read the full article
RADIATION WORKS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES
September 2, 2010 – Christine Keyser, the radon coordinator for the Division of Radiation Control - Utah DEQ-The Division of Radiation Control (DRC) is taking a hard look at its regulatory process to determine how it can become more efficient and transparent. In doing so, it has adopted the
"Lean Six Sigma" process, a powerful business management strategy that successful companies use to eliminate waste and improve their bottom line.
"This rigorous tool will enable the Division to utilize information and statistical analyses to measure and radically improve its organizational performance, practices, and system processes," said Rusty Lundberg, director of DRC who anticipates changes could come as early as October as a result of the group's work.
At the heart of the issue is the Division's rigorous and highly technical process of reviewing or amending applications for low-level radioactive waste disposal in Utah. In an effort to improve the permitting and licensing process, the Division sought expertise from other DEQ managers, business leaders, and stakeholders to draw from diverse viewpoints to pinpoint logjams.
"Improving our permitting and licensing process will not only help to sustain and stabilize our funding resources, but it will allow us to work more effectively with stakeholders in safeguarding public health and our quality of life," said Amanda Smith, executive director of DEQ.
A key player in the evaluation process is EnergySolutions, a waste disposal facility licensed and regulated by the Division since 1988.
"The Lean Six Sigma process is off to a good start; I appreciated the honesty, creativity, and critical thinking brought to the sessions and look forward to continuing the work of implementing the necessary changes the group has identified," said Sean McCandless, director of compliance and permitting for EnergySolutions and project team member.
The Lean Six Sigma process began as a three-day marathon session focused on the permitting and licensing of EnergySolutions. This three-day session held in August is what's termed as a "Kaizen" event. Kaizen is a combination of two Japanese words that mean "to take apart" and "to make good." Kaizen implies that small, incremental changes routinely applied and sustained over a long period result in significant improvements.
Participants said it was an eye-opening experience.
"I was pleased with the openness of the process for identifying problems and surprised that participants were so flexible," DRC Project Team Member Mario Bettolo said. "There was no judgmental communication, creativity was not stifled, and I felt no repercussions for honesty."
Project team members also said the outcome will foster improved public participation.
"With a more transparent licensing and permitting process, members of the public will have earlier opportunities to participate in the process," Lundberg said.
Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) couldn't agree more.
"It surprised me how much was accomplished during the three-day Kaizen event," said Bob Archibald, co-president of HEAL Utah Board. "Our suggestions were taken very serious. In the old process, citizen input was relegated to a final stage, making it an adversarial interruption. In the recast process, citizens are invited to be early contributors, ensuring that different interpretations of standards and statutes will receive thoughtful broader consideration, and hopefully will contribute, as appropriate, to final definitions and resolutions. As a result, I believe that citizens, citizen groups and corporate citizens will all benefit."
This article was written by Christine Keyser, the radon coordinator for the Division of Radiation Control.
THE IMPACT OF ANTI-LABOR POLICIES ON WORKING MEN AND WOMEN
Labor Day arrives in 2010 with the national unemployment rate stuck above 9 percent for the second year in a row, a stumbling economic recovery and a slowdown in hiring. Indications are that the unemployment rate could again surpass 10 percent by the year’s end. America’s economic recovery is losing momentum, and businesses throughout the country are facing an uncertain political and economic climate that hinders their ability to grow, compete and thrive in the global marketplace.
On September 1, the NAM released its annual Labor Day report – “Labor Day 2010: The Impact of Anti-Labor Policies on Working Men and Women.” It examines how workers have fared in the recession and recent recovery, with a focus on the manufacturing sector. In this report, NAM Chief Economist David Huether explores the roots of the uncertainty that figures so prominently in public discussion of the economy.
The report makes clear that manufacturers are not confident about the future. For working Americans – and even more so for those seeking work – concerns about the economy are palpable and well justified. Expectations that the federal government will increase taxes and regulations only add to the uncertainty that discourages companies from hiring.
This widespread uncertainty stunts economic recovery and limits job growth. Businesses are understandably concerned about the policies coming from Washington that expand government, raise taxes and add regulations. As a result, they are not taking steps to create new jobs or increase investment. As long as businesses in the United States are operating with this sense of apprehension and uncertainty, it will be difficult for them to compete in the global economy and provide good, high-paying jobs.
Based on the results of the second quarter 2010 NAM/IndustryWeek Manufacturing Index – a survey of NAM member companies – the causes of this anxiety appear to be two-fold.
In this survey, 74 percent of respondents indicated that uncertainty about the business outlook is delaying their plans to expand employment and capital spending. For those who reported that uncertainty is affecting their efforts to expand capital investment and hiring, the main areas of concern were the state of the U.S. economic recovery (46 percent) and possible regulatory or legislative changes in Washington (37 percent).
The NAM’s report further identifies the legislation, laws and regulations magnifying the uncertainty that afflicts the economy. The following policies, among others, could have a significant impact on American workers:
- Expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts
- The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulatory regime to control greenhouse gas emissions and raise energy costs
- Implementation of the new health care laws, with numerous mandates on employers, insurers and consumers as well as a myriad of unintended consequences
- Failure to achieve an ambitious trade agenda necessary to ensure and expand global market share for U.S exporters
- Labor policies, such as the Employee Free Choice Act, that could rob the U.S. economy of its dynamic growth potential
Despite these challenges, there is a way to emerge with a stronger, more robust U.S. economy. Manufacturers further believe that Congress and the Administration must do more to enact policies that will put manufacturers in the United States in a better position to compete at home and abroad.
“Labor Day 2010” highlights the policies manufacturers need to become more competitive and more productive and to create even more high-paying jobs. These policies will strengthen growth, employment and wages not just in 2011, but for the decade ahead and are outlined in the NAM’s “Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America.” They have been and will continue to be the right way to support manufacturing in the United States.
The NAM’s “Labor Day 2010: The Impact of Anti-Labor Policies on Working Men and Women” shows that the United States economy remains stuck in neutral. Though there have been some positive signs in the last year, without the right policies in place, the U.S. economy and the American worker will lose out to fierce global competition.
Manufacturing has been one of the bright spots in America’s modest recovery. More than any other sector of the economy, manufacturing has the potential to produce long-term benefits for U.S. workers. It not only drives increased productivity but increasingly requires highly skilled workers whose expertise demands good, high-paying jobs. Now more than ever, it is critical for policymakers in Washington to enact the policies that will help manufacturers thrive and compete. {Back to top}
U.S. PRODUCTIVITY FALLS, LABOR COSTS RISE
September 2, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Productivity fell by largest amount in nearly four years as labor costs rose, suggesting companies have reached the limits of squeezing more work out of fewer workers ... continue
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS DROP FOR SECOND WEEK
September 2, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Number of people requesting unemployment benefits declined for second straight week, suggesting that the slowing economy isn't prompting widespread job cuts ... continue
UTAH HEALTH EXCHANGE OPENS TODAY TO ALL SMALL EMPLOYERS
September 2, 2010 – UB Daily
Qualifying Utah small businesses now have a new option to offer expanded health coverage to their employees while controlling their own health benefit costs. In a significant step forward, the Utah Health Exchange, which has operated as a pilot program for the past year, is now open to all employer groups with two to 50 individuals. “This is a huge success for the Utah Health Exchange, which is quickly becoming a model for the rest of the nation when it comes to health care reform,” Governor Gary R.
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