February 3, 2012

NO OSHA COMBUSTIBLE DUST RULES ANY TIME SOON 
Today in Manufacturing
Safety advocates were disappointed by OSHA's latest regulatory agenda, which contained a note about combustible dust regulations that reads "next action undetermined." ... continue

FACTORY ORDERS UP 1.1 PERCENT IN DECEMBER 
Today in Manufacturing
The results cap off a strong year for manufacturing, with total orders for the year up to $5.36 trillion, still slightly below the peak of $5.44 trillion set in 2008... continue

PURCHASING MANAGERS INDEX MAKES POST-HOLIDAY JUMP 
Today in Manufacturing
The index, which measures production, new orders, inventories, and employment activity in Michigan, rose to 65.9 in January after falling below 50 in December... continue


BILL GIVES STATES MORE SAY IN INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY AND DEVELOPMENT
Quick Manufacturing News 
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Members of the Committee unveiled details about the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act yesterday. This bill is designed to reform transportation programs and promote increased domestic energy production. Click to continue

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CONTINUES TO FALL 
Today in Manufacturing 
Employers went on a hiring spree in January and drove down the unemployment rate for a fifth straight month to 8.3 percent, its lowest point in nearly three years ... continue

WORKER PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH SLOWED IN 4TH QUARTER 
Today in Manufacturing
A slowdown in productivity is bad for corporate profits, but it can be good for hiring if it signals companies aren't able to squeeze more work out of their existing staffs... continue


TRUCK TONNAGE IN 2011 SAW BIGGEST GAINS SINCE 1998
Quick Manufacturing News 
Tonnage in 2011 rose 5.9% over 2010, representing the largest annual increase since 1998, according to the American Trucking Associations. Also, tonnage for December 2011 was 10.5% higher than December 2010, the largest year-over-year gain since July 1998. November tonnage was up 6.1% over the same month last year. Click to continue


INDIA MANUFACTURING UP AT FASTEST PACE IN 8 MONTHS
Quick Manufacturing News 
Demand came from both domestic and foreign sources. Click to continue

RETAILERS POST MIXED RESULTS FOR JANUARY 
Today in Manufacturing
Retailers are reporting mixed results in a sign that American shoppers are continuing to be cautious about when and where they spend money in the shaky economy ... continue


BEWARE OF SCAM

Dear NAM Member:
An unknown person or persons have been sending unsolicited “2012-2013 Annual Membership Dues” invoices by fax to manufacturing companies beginning on or about January 26, 2012, claiming to be the “National Manufacturers Association” or “NAM Association.” The invoices we have seen are for $575.00, and they ask that payment be sent to the “Membership Processing Dept.” at 859 Willard Street, Quincy, MA 02169.

This is a fraudulent scam. It is not from the National Association of Manufacturers. Do not pay these invoices.

We have reported the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission and other authorities. Please feel free to report receipt of such a fax to the FTC, and to us as well by clicking here. If you have paid the invoice, please consider filing a Mail Fraud Complaint with the United States Postal Inspection Service.

We do not believe that our membership database has been compromised in any way. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise you of any important further developments.

Quentin Riegel Vice President, Litigation & Deputy General Counsel (202) 637-3058 • qriegel@nam.org
National Association of Manufacturers
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20004-1790