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Manufacturing Industry News:
Weiler to expand offices, distribution center Click here to go to Industry News archives Weiler to expand offices, distribution center The building project will encompass a 25,000-square-foot addition to its offices and a 16,000 square foot addition to its existing 55,000 square foot distribution center. “We are very excited to be breaking ground on the expansion of our facility,” said Karl Weiler, CEO of Weiler Corp. “This venture is a testament to how much our business has grown and we look forward to many more prosperous years.”**************************************************************************** Manufacturers to increase online marketing in 2006 The study, which surveyed more than 220 marketing executives at U.S. manufacturing firms, found that online marketing efforts are producing tangible results for manufacturers, and the vast majority of respondents plan to ramp up their online marketing efforts to address their most important business challenges in 2006. "This study confirms that online marketing should be an essential component of a manufacturer's overall marketing mix," said Bob DeStefano, president of SVM E-Business Solutions. "Industrial marketers who hesitate to embrace online marketing will miss a critical opportunity to increase sales, grow market share and strengthen relationships with customers." Among many other significant points, the 2006 E-Business Trends in Manufacturing Report identified the following key industrial marketing trends. Industrial marketing budgets are shifting online, often at the expense of traditional marketing. Industrial marketers are increasing spending on Websites, search engine marketing and e-mail marketing, while decreasing spending on magazine advertisements, trade shows and direct mail.Web sites are becoming the hub of industrial marketing. The Web is increasingly becoming the hub of manufacturers marketing efforts. In fact, over half of all manufacturers consider their Web site to be their most powerful marketing tool. Manufacturers are turning to search engine marketing to help drive sales lead generation efforts. About half of industrial marketers engaged in some form of search engine marketing in 2005, and this will increase significantly in 2006. Manufacturers consider online marketing more effective than traditional marketing because it makes a measurable impact on their business. Industrial marketers feel online marketing is more effective at producing measurable, business-building, results. To download a copy of the 2006 E-Business Trends in Manufacturing Report, please go to http://www.svmsolutions.com/survey. **************************************************************************** ISM: PMI slips in March "The manufacturing sector, led by continued strength in new orders and production, continued to grow in March," said Norbert J. Ore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The first quarter is now complete, and the ISM data indicates that it was a good quarter for U.S. manufacturing. Prices are still a major concern, particularly in the energy and metals markets. In general, manufacturing continues to experience a significant level of growth." The PMI indicates that the manufacturing economy grew in March for the 34th consecutive month as it registered 55.2 percent, a decrease of 1.5 percentage points when compared to February's seasonally adjusted reading of 56.7 percent. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting. The March PMI indicates that both the overall economy and the manufacturing sector are growing. The past relationship between the PMI and the overall economy indicates that the average PMI for January through March (55.6 percent) corresponds to a 4.7 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, if the PMI for March (55.2 percent) is annualized, it corresponds to a 4.5 percent increase in real GDP annually. **************************************************************************** Makita USA names sweepstakes winner The Weekend with Ricky is an all-expense paid trip for two to Carmichael MX Kamp with the reigning 2005 AMA Supercross/Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael, plus she will get $1,000 spending cash. Karen Hearn entered the Maximum Impact Sweepstakes online at www.makitatools.com while registering her husband’s new Makita power tool. Her husband, Grant, is an electrician/mechanic at Columbia Forest Paneling Products in Chatham, where he uses Makita power tools on a daily basis. Her entire family are huge Supercross and Ricky Carmichael fans. “It is rewarding to be able to present a loyal customer and Supercross fan with the Maximum Impact Sweepstakes grand prize,” said Brent Withey, Makita brand marketing manager. “After speaking with Karen it is clear that she and her husband take great pride in their work and are thrilled about winning.” **************************************************************************** Factory orders increase in February New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up four of the last five months, increased $5.6 billion or 2.7 percent to $215.8 billion, revised from the previously published 2.6 percent increase. This followed an 8.9 percent January decrease. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, had the largest increase, $7.6 billion or 13.6 percent to $63.1 billion. **************************************************************************** Parker Hannifin buys majority share in Kuroda Pneumatics Kuroda Pneumatics employs 150 people and had 2005 sales of approximately $50 million. "This transaction strengthens Parker's automation business capabilities to better serve the Japanese marketplace," said Roger Sherrard, president of Parker's Automation Group. "The deepening relationship between Parker and Kuroda will provide a strong platform for growth in the region and build on our proven record of delivering customer value. This partnership also supports our longer term commitment to accelerating the company's growth in the Asia Pacific region overall." Kuroda Pneumatics is a unit of Kuroda Precision Industries Ltd., a company in which Parker holds a 33 percent stake. Kuroda Pneumatics manufactures high performance actuators, cylinders, valves, controls and other related products for a wide variety of industrial automation applications. **************************************************************************** Goodyear Engineered Products names North American VP Jim Pecorelli, former director of global manufacturing for the business, has become vice president and general manager of its North American region. Pecorelli had been director of global manufacturing for the business since 2003. Before that, he held consecutive general manager positions for the company's industrial power transmission product, hose and conveyor belt businesses over an eight-year span. Goodyear Engineered Products has had tremendous sales growth the past few years, according to its president, Tim Toppen. The business recently reported 2005 sales of more than $1.6 billion, an 11 percent increase over the previous year. "Jim's expertise and leadership skills strengthen the link between our sales and marketing, manufacturing and supply chain operations to support continued sales growth," said Toppen. "Externally, he knows our customers and understands the markets and channels. Internally, he has led our commercial and manufacturing teams." Pecorelli said his goal is to build on the current momentum in the business. "We're focused on market-driven excellence and flawless execution at every step of the supply chain," he said. "Our business competencies deliver innovative, valued products and efficient, seamless service to customers." Pecorelli joined Goodyear in 1982, after graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology. **************************************************************************** Channellock turns 120 Today, Channellock is known for hand tools of high quality and craftsmanship. Since its inception as the Champion Bolt & Clipper Co., the company has also led the industry through innovation. In 1932, chief engineer Howard Manning developed and patented the tongue-and-groove plier, dubbed “Channellock” at the time. The company now offers more than 120 different types and sizes of hand tools, all bearing the company’s signature color. “Our founder, George B. DeArment, great-grandfather of current president and CEO William S. DeArment, created a company that values people more than machines. Today, Channellock is an example of the American dream realized and offers a great case study in the free enterprise system,” says Scott Jonap, vice president of sales and marketing for Channellock. “We are dedicated to providing customers with the quality pliers and hand tools they’ve come to expect for the past 120 years and look forward to continuing our legacy for generations to come.” **************************************************************************** Magid Glove and Safety retains ISO certification The ISO 9001-2000 is the most encompassing form of ISO 9000, a set of international quality standards and requirements that define the principles and good practices in manufacturing operations. This registration is recognized by customers worldwide looking to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for an independent evaluation of their suppliers’ quality management systems. “I am proud that we have achieved this certification. Quality has always been number one at Magid,” said Russell Cohen, vice president. “This process reinforces what Magid has been doing for 60 years. We know that the ISO 9001-2000 re-certification confirms what Magid customers have come to expect, the highest quality and service.” **************************************************************************** Send your news to . Copyright 2006 Pfingsten Publishing L.L.C. All rights reserved. |
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