NewsDesk Deals, Openings, Acquisitions, Partnerships, Orders, Expansions, Awards Manufacturing Network Takes Shape D
uring his 2014 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama on Jan. 28 again made manufacturing a centerpiece of his economic agenda—calling for the creation of a total of six manufacturing innovation institutes. We have the chance, he said, “to beat other countries in the race for the next wave of high-tech manufacturing jobs.” The effort is part of Obama’s broader vision for a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) that strength- ens US industry. He first proposed the network in March 2012 and renewed calls for it in his 2013 State of the Union ad- dress, pledging $200 million to invest in three such institutes.
which is now known as “America Makes,” is focused on addi- tive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. SME had a critical role in getting the pilot innovation institute off the ground, and is providing some support to the manufacturing institutes.
The National Network for Manufacturing Innovation is supported by a report released in 2012, “Capturing Domestic Competitive Advantage in Advanced Manufacturing.”
Manufacturing Barometer Shows Optimism about US
U
Under his vision, the full network, which requires legisla- tion from Congress, would be developed over a decade and consist of up to 45 regional hubs of public-private partnership. Each would develop specific manufacturing technologies, skilled workers and spin-off businesses. As of presstime, just two of the institutes have been an- nounced. “Bipartisan bills in both houses could double the num- ber of these hubs and the jobs they create,” Obama said. “So, get those bills to my desk and put more Americans back to work.” In early January, during a visit to Raleigh, NC, Obama an- nounced the selection of the second manufacturing innova- tion institute. That North Carolina-headquartered institute will include a consortium of 18 companies and 6 universities focused on wide bandgap semiconductor technologies. The pilot institute, originally known as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, or NAMII, was established in August 2012 with $30 million in federal funds and $40 million from its members. Based in Youngstown, OH, NAMII,
S industrial manufacturers expressed optimism about the economy, and the broader world economy, in the latest PwC Manufacturing Barometer, for the fourth quarter of 2013. Optimism about the US economy during the next 12 months rose among US industrial manufacturers to 68% in the fourth quarter, up from 60% in the prior quarter. Com- pared to the fourth quarter of 2012, 20% more executives are now optimistic about the domestic economy. Overall sentiment about the world’s economic prospects also increased, rising to 47% in the fourth quarter from 40% in the third quarter and just 32% in the fourth quarter of 2012. For more information, visit
http://tinyurl.com/pwcjan.
Manufacturing Growth Slows E
conomic activity in the US manufacturing sector expanded in January for the eight consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 56th consecutive month, according to the Manufacturing ISM Report on Business released on Feb. 3. While manufacturing growth continued, however, it did slow down. The PMI registered 51.3%, a decline of 5.2 percentage points from December’s seasonally adjusted reading of 56.5%. The ISM report is based on a survey of purchasing and supply executives, and readings below 50 indicate contrac- tion, while those above 50 indicate expansion. The New Orders Index registered 51.2%, a significant decrease of 13.2 percentage points from December’s season-
March 2014 |
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