Harley-Davidson announces record financials, new models
Oshkosh Truck sees sales surge with defense orders
Manufacturing to help drive IT spending
Wearwell named finalist for manufacturing award
GE reports Q4 revenues of $43.7 billion
Industrial production climbs in December
Ford employees to receive bonuses in March
EPA unveils Spanish-language Web site

Harley-Davidson announces record financials, new models
Harley-Davidson Inc. announced record revenues and earnings for 2004, marking the 19th consecutive year of record-making financials. The motorcycle maker also announced three new models it will begin manufacturing for the 2006 model year.

Harley reported 2004 net revenues of $5 billion, up from $4.6 billion reported during 2003. Net income climbed to $889.8 million, or $3 per share, in 2004, compared to net income of $760.9 million, or $2.50 per share, in 2003.

“We expect to continue to grow in 2005 and ship 339,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the year to support that growth. This is consistent with our established goals of satisfying demand for 400,000 motorcycles in 2007 and generating an annual earnings growth rate in the mid-teens,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, Harley chairman and CEO.

The motorcycle manufacturer also announced three new models for 2006. Harley is hoping its new racing-styled Sportster, roadster-inspired V-Rod and 15th anniversary-edition Fat Boy motorcycles propel the company to even more record sales and earnings numbers.

The Sportster XL883R pays tribute to the famed Harley-Davidson XR dirt track racers with eye-catching, race-inspired styling elements. Most noticeable are the blacked-out Evolution powertrain and race-ready 883R graphics on the classic, orange 3.3-gallon fuel tank.

The roadster-inspired VRSCR Street Rod is decidedly more aggressive with its upright riding position, inverted front forks, 40-degree lean angle, 1130cc Revolution V-Twin engine and tuned suspension.

The 15th Anniversary Edition Fat Boy commemorates the model’s journey with an extra helping of chrome, performance and style. Its big bore, fuel-injected 1550cc Twin Cam 95 engine produces 87.1-ft.-lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm. The 15th Anniversary Fat Boy will be available until June 2005, while supplies last.

“Custom motorcycles are our passion,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson director of marketing, motorcycle product development. “That passion inspired the styling and performance of these three motorcycles, which reflect the spirit of Harley-Davidson.”

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Oshkosh Truck sees sales surge with defense orders
Sales at Oshkosh Truck Corp. climbed to $644.9 million during its first fiscal quarter, due primarily to a significant increase in orders from the U.S. Department of Defense. During the first quarter of last year, net sales reached $493.2 million.

"This is the best first quarter in company history," said Robert G. Bohn, chairman, president and CEO.

He added: "The first quarter has established solid momentum for Oshkosh's fiscal 2005 financial performance. Both our defense and fire and emergency businesses had exceptionally strong starts to the fiscal year. The defense business continues to grow at record levels, fueled by new armor contracts, active recapitalization of the fleet in Iraq, and a doubling of our parts and service revenues, all as a result of the ongoing conflicts."

Oshkosh reported net income of $40.6 million, or $1.11 per share, up from net income of $29.7 million, or 83 cents per share, a year ago.

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Manufacturing to help drive IT spending
Worldwide IT spending reached $965 billion in 2004 and will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6 percent from 2004 to 2008 to reach $1.2 trillion, according to new research published by International Data Corp. (IDC).

“We remain optimistic about the U.S. and global IT opportunities for vendors," said Anne Lu, manager for IDC’s Worldwide Vertical Markets research program. "Banking, discrete manufacturing and government stand out as the largest IT buyers."

Manufacturing will positively affect the purchasing of software in the U.S. and IT services worldwide.

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Wearwell named finalist for manufacturing award
Wearwell Corp. won runner-up honors at the 2005 Excellence in Manufacturing Awards held Jan. 20 at the Nashville Hilton.

Lisa O’Dell, vice president of marketing and product development, attended the ceremony along with other company executives.

“We were all hoping to win but ultimately the recognition by other business representatives is verification that we are reaching our goals,” she said. “This award is not just about creating quality products, but also having a quality process.”

O’Dell said Wearwell takes pride in its choice to increase R&D and continue to improve its manufacturing process.

“Our anti-fatigue mats keep people safe and productive. To achieve those results, we believe that we must maintain a high quality standard,” she said. “[The] awards were very encouraging because I think this event is all about recognizing companies that have made a commitment to excellence and share the same mindset. Win or lose, it is just nice to be in the room with so many quality manufacturers. It was a great night!”

The awards were divided into three categories ranked by number of employees. Overall, Wearwell was the runner-up in the mid-size manufacturer category.

The category's winning competitor was Lachinvar, a manufacturer of high-efficiency boilers and heaters for commercial and residential applications.

“We lost to an amazing company but are very proud of this accomplishment because it is a reflection of our employees' hard work and dedication," said O'Dell.

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GE reports Q4 revenues of $43.7 billion
General Electric Co. reported record fourth quarter revenues of $43.7 billion, up 18 percent from revenues of $37 billion during the fourth quarter of 2003.

The company generated net earnings of $5.4 billion during the quarter, or 51 cents per share, compared to net earnings of $4.6 billion, or 45 cents per share, during the same period in 2003.

For all of 2004, General Electric posted revenues of $152.4 billion, up from revenues of $134.2 billion during 2003. Net earnings reached $16.7 billion, or $1.59 per share, vs. net earnings of $15 billion, or $1.49 per share, in 2003.

"GE is in great shape," said General Electric chairman and CEO Jeffery Immelt. "We've got great businesses positioned in the right markets with very strong teams driving powerful initiatives. With a great pipeline of technology, billions in contractual services agreements, a rigorous focus on customers and the ability to deliver all of this globally, we are now focused on driving strong organic growth and delivering consistent double-digit growth in earnings and cash flow, with expanding returns on capital."

He added: "This is a great time for GE."

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Industrial production climbs in December
Industrial production increased 0.8 percent in December after gains of 0.2 percent in November and 0.8 percent in October, according to the Federal Reserve.

The rate of capacity utilization in December, at 79.2 percent, was 2.4 percentage points above its year-earlier level but still 1.9 percentage points below its 1972-2003 average.

In the manufacturing sector, output rose 0.7 percent in December, and increases occurred in most major industry groups. 

In December, the production of durable goods increased 0.9 percent. The largest gain among the durable goods industries was in primary metals, in which output rose 3 percent.

The production of computer and electronic products registered a 1.2 percent gain, and its level was 16.4 percent higher than a year earlier.

Over the 12 months ending in December, total industrial production increased 4.4 percent, to a level that is 117.8 percent of its 1997 average, while total industrial capacity expanded a modest 1.2 percent.

“The 0.8 percent increase in total industrial production and 0.7 percent gain in manufacturing production for December 2004 show that the industrial sector is resilient and that this expansion is broad-based,” said Daniel Meckstroth, chief economist for the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. “A decline in export activity probably accounts for the weak 0.1 percent gain in November manufacturing production. Fortunately, the shortfall was made up by strong production gains in December occurring in both durable and non-durable industries. Manufacturing production grew at a 4.1 percent annual rate in fourth quarter 2004 and is expected to have grown faster than the overall economy as measured by GDP.”

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Ford employees to receive bonuses in March 
Ford Motor Co. will pay profit sharing bonuses to its hourly employees in the United States on March 9. The average amount is $600.

The company also expects to pay modest performance bonuses to eligible salaried employees.

And, based on present business conditions, merit increases to all eligible salaried employees will be paid in the United States and Canada.

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EPA unveils Spanish-language Web site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a new consolidated Spanish Web site as part of its ongoing effort to provide environmental information in Spanish and English.

The new site compiles EPA’s Spanish-language materials on a wide variety of areas including lead poisoning prevention, controlling asthma triggers, recycling, proper management of pesticides, and so forth. The site was developed through a series of focus groups to respond to the environmental needs and interests of Hispanics.

In addition to environmental health information, the site also offers educational resources for students and teachers who often seek Spanish-language learning tools on the environment. The site also provides information about EPA grants, small business opportunities and environmental jobs at EPA.

To view EPA’s Spanish site, visit: http://www.epa.gov/espanol.

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