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Stories Tagged as

Manufacturing

Businesses are spending to boost productivity, regardless of higher interest rates

by Mitchell Hartman
Dec 22, 2023
Some are doing well enough that they don't need to borrow in order to expand and improve.
Core capital goods, which are big, one-off investments to improve productivity and boost the bottom line, rose 0.8% last month.
PhynartStudio/Getty Images
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Manufacturing sector contracts for 13th straight month, but construction spending is up

by Mitchell Hartman
Dec 1, 2023
The Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Managers Index showed worse-than-expected performance for manufacturing, but construction growth shone.
“The housing market is poised for gains for 2024," said Danushka Nanayakkara at the National Association of Home Builders.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
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The scariest part of Halloween: supply chains

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Oct 2, 2023
Consumers may spend a record $12.2 billion this year — that's the treat. But sellers may need tricks to bring their goods to market.
Analysts expect monster Halloween sales this year.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Why does furniture fall apart so easily?

by Kai Ryssdal and Richard Cunningham
Sep 27, 2023
Furniture used to last a lifetime. Now, not so much. But how did we get here?
"A great place to buy long-lasting furniture is a vintage furniture store, right? The proof is in the pudding that it's well made because it's lasting long enough for you to be able to purchase it right now," said Washington Post reporter Rachel Kurzius.
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Aircraft orders can distort economic data. They also propel a lot of economic activity.

by Justin Ho
Sep 27, 2023
Their volatility can overshadow broader trends. But those orders are just the start of a long, expansive manufacturing supply chain.
While aircraft orders jump around month to month, the supply chain, which involves thousands of companies, never stops.
Juliette Michel/AFP via Getty Images
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Automakers aren't the only manufacturers that rely on temporary workers

by Stephanie Hughes
Sep 21, 2023
They're usually cheaper than permanent employees, but they can reduce productivity.
The UAW is demanding an end to tiered labor in the next contract. As of now, temporary workers are paid less than permanent employees.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
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Why some car parts are still hard to find

by Henry Epp
Sep 18, 2023
Dealers are still playing catch-up after the chip shortage and suppliers are building parts for new cars rather than those on the road.
Dealerships are hesitant to sell high-demand parts to repair shops. Instead, they're prioritizing putting those parts into new cars.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images
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Some U.S. manufacturers find reasons to be cheerful about their prospects

by Justin Ho
Aug 24, 2023
Manufacturing has been weak for a while. But companies are optimistic about government investment and a future uptick in demand.
The Biden administration is investing in domestic industries it sees as strategically important, like clean energy. Above, wind turbine blades in a storage lot.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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Manufacturing slows, but economy remains robust

by Kimberly Adams
Aug 3, 2023
Manufacturing slowed in July, but consumer demand and a strong service sector are shoring up the U.S. economy.
Furniture was one of the few growing sectors in July's manufacturing PMI report.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Inflation moderates in manufacturing and job market

by Mitchell Hartman
Aug 2, 2023
As supply chains normalize and labor demand slackens, prices and wages are cooling off.
The easing of inflation is especially visible in vehicle production, said Garrett Nelson at CFRA.
Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images
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