December 26, 2011

BRINGING IT BACK HOME: THE RESURGENCE OF U.S. MANUFACTURING

Mfrtech
Gradual Global Equalization, Ultimately Driving Jobs and Manufacturing Back to the U.S
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AUTO, ENERGY SECTORS TO LEAD STEEL INDUSTRY GROWTH IN 2012
Quick Manufacturing News
Sector not expected to make full recovery until 2013. Click to continue

EPA ISSUES HISTORIC NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR MERCURY POLLUTION FROM POWER PLANTS
Quick Manufacturing News
On Dec. 21 the EPA issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect Americans from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these substances by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation's coal-fired power plants. Click to continue

IWLA SEEKS EXCLUSION FOR 3PLS FROM FDA ACT
Quick Manufacturing News
As FDA writes regulations to implement the Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls Provisions of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act, the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) is offering a suggestion: officially recognize that many third-party logistics (3PL) warehouse operations do not expose packaged goods to the environment. Click to continue

U.S., MEXICO SEIZE NEARLY $80 MILLION IN COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Quick Manufacturing News
Items include mobile phones, handbags and computer software. Click to continue

CANADA PULLS OUT OF KYOTO PROTOCOL
UAE Weekly Energy Brief
Canada announced on Dec. 12 that it is withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, citing huge potential fines the country may face for not meeting the emissions standard.

The decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's conservative government was not unexpected, since Conservative Party officials have made no secret of their disdain for the treaty, which was negotiated and signed on behalf of Canada by a Liberal Party government in 1997.

Under terms of the treaty, Canada had to give notice of its intention to withdraw by the end of 2011. The country faced billions in fines for not reaching its emissions targets. In his announcement of Canada's withdrawal from the agreement, Environment Minister Peter Kent said, "We are invoking Canada's legal right to formally withdraw from Kyoto."

The day before Canada's announcement, at a United Nations conference in Durban, South Africa, nearly 200 nations voted to renew the treaty -- which will expire at the end of 2012 -- but did not come to agreement on whether its emissions targets will apply equally to all countries. The original agreement required industrialized nations to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but did not impose those targets on developing nations, and the United States never ratified the treaty.

In his announcement, Environment Minister Kent said the current agreement does not cover the world's two largest emitters -- the United States and China -- and "therefore, cannot work."

Kent added that Canada would work toward an agreement that would include targets for all countries, including developing nations, such as China and India [Penelope Kern].

TRUCKING HOURS REGULATION WILL HARM SUPPLY CHAINS
Rule Will Cause Delays for Manufacturers and Cost the Economy
NAM
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued this statement on the revised trucking hours of service rule released today by the Department of Transportation (DOT):

“Manufacturers rely heavily on motor carriers for transportation of materials for production and for the delivery of goods to customers. The final trucking hours of service rule will have a negative impact on manufacturers’ supply chains, distribution operations and productivity. The Administration conceded that it lacked evidence to support many of the proposed changes and still moved forward with new requirements that will place more trucks on the road during peak driving times and will fail to improve safety.

Adding these new requirements on top of the already cumbersome regulatory burden facing manufacturers will cost jobs and increase the prices of consumer products. Manufacturers have built their logistical operations based on the current rules and have invested heavily in compliance since their implementation. To change these rules and limit the flexibility of manufacturers without sufficient reasoning is a mistake and will impede the ability of manufacturers to invest, grow and create jobs.

This regulation is another prime example of leaders in Washington creating additional uncertainty for the economy at a time when they should be focused on policies to help get Americans back to work.”

That’s right – it’s time to start thinking about which innovation you will nominate to the 2012 Utah Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and Utah Technology Council. This is the year to do it! 2012 marks the program’s 10th anniversary! Don’t miss this opportunity to bring worthy recognition to an innovation that is contributing to your company or organization, and that represents ingenuity and creativity.

Nominations will be accepted online at www.stoel.com/utahinnovation beginning Wednesday, January 11, 2012 through Friday, February 17, 2012.

Nominations from all industries, and in all areas of innovation, will be considered including the following:

• Clean Technology and Energy
• Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices
• Consumer Products
• Consumer Software and Web Services
• Enterprise Software and Web-Enabled B2B Solutions • Life Science (Biotech and Medical Device)
• Mechanical Systems/Chemicals/Manufacturing
• Natural Products
• Outdoor Products

Nominations in ALL areas of innovation will be accepted, not just those in the above areas. Categories will be adjusted to adequately reflect the final pool of nominations.

Nominations are evaluated by a Selection Committee comprised of approximately 70 representatives from private industry, government and higher education, many of whom are experts or professionals in the areas represented by the nominations. Up to two finalists and one winner may be selected from each category. Award winners will be announced at an Awards Luncheon this spring.

The awards program is supported by the Association of Corporate Growth-Utah, MountainWest Capital Network, USTAR, Utah Manufacturers Association, Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Wayne Brown Institute and the Women’s Tech Council.

For more information about the awards program, or to access the on-line nomination form, visit www.stoel.com/utahinnovation.