Confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly rose for the first time in five months as Americans became more upbeat about job prospects later this year.
The Conference Board’s index increased to 65.9 this month from 62.7 in June, figures from the New York-based private research group showed today. Economists projected a reading of 61.5, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The report showed a gain in the share of consumers anticipating better labor and economic conditions in six months. Feeling fiscally frisky are you...
Manufacturing, distribution and retail supply chain and freight shipping news-opinion from global freight bill processor, auditor and cost reduction advisor Data2Logistics.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
News of U.S. Bioscience/High-Tech (Products! Jobs! Growth!) from the Midwest
Throughout Ohio, jobs have been scarce in recent years. But our life-sciences sector has thrived, adding thousands of high-quality jobs and contributing billions to the economy.
The success of the sector is no accident. Lawmakers put good policies in place. Roughly 40 percent of the funding handed out by Ohio’s Third Frontier program, a $1.6-billion effort to develop high-tech businesses, has supported bioscience. Representatives in Washington, D.C., also have done good work.
Europe led biomedical innovation a generation ago; the United States now leads. In 2011, we had 3,091 drugs in development. European Union countries were working on just 1,449. Europe and Asia now are trying to catch up, streamlining their regulatory-approval processes and promoting public-private partnerships to attract research-and-development investment. Cheer and read on...
The success of the sector is no accident. Lawmakers put good policies in place. Roughly 40 percent of the funding handed out by Ohio’s Third Frontier program, a $1.6-billion effort to develop high-tech businesses, has supported bioscience. Representatives in Washington, D.C., also have done good work.
Europe led biomedical innovation a generation ago; the United States now leads. In 2011, we had 3,091 drugs in development. European Union countries were working on just 1,449. Europe and Asia now are trying to catch up, streamlining their regulatory-approval processes and promoting public-private partnerships to attract research-and-development investment. Cheer and read on...
Friday, July 27, 2012
The Good Position of the Bad Economy
The good position of the bad economy; therein lies our optimism: Amazon profit, forecast miss estimates on warehouse costs, while Amazon gains as it improves distribution network. Suspend the $tress, and read on...
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
American Trucking Association Opens Court Battle over Driver Work Rules
Will the outcome (either way) affect new driver recruitment during the current shortage? Roll with it...
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Can the U.S. Handle a Manufacturing Comeback?
For years, U.S. manufacturers worried about business being sent overseas. Now, as signs point to a resurgence of American-made goods, a new fear is emerging: that there won't be enough skilled workers to keep up with demand. May be something to this...
Monday, July 23, 2012
Freight Bill Processor Data2Logistics Launches Freight Shipping Times via Paper.li
Global freight bill processor, auditor and cost reduction advisor Data2Logistics, LLC launched Freight Shipping Times (http://paper.li/
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The New(ly) Emerging Market: Myanmar
Myanmar has unveiled a package of wide-ranging finance reforms aimed allowing direct foreign investment to help upgrade the Asian nation’s antiquated infrastructure.
Aimed initially at bringing its medical and telecommunications sectors into the 21st century, the reforms are already attracting foreign companies interested doing business in the country.
Thein Sein, who took power in Myanmar – formerly known as Burma – last year after a general election, said he sees the reforms as “key elements in the future development of the country.” Continue..
Aimed initially at bringing its medical and telecommunications sectors into the 21st century, the reforms are already attracting foreign companies interested doing business in the country.
Thein Sein, who took power in Myanmar – formerly known as Burma – last year after a general election, said he sees the reforms as “key elements in the future development of the country.” Continue..
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Data2Logistics National Presentation Highlights: Global Parcel Management in a Shrinking World
Originally presented at MAILCOM 2012 in Washington, DC by Harold B. Friedman, DLP, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Development of freight bill processor, auditor and cost reduction advisor Data2Logistics. If you're in the supply chain biz see this...
Monday, July 16, 2012
Who's Paying Your Bills?
Freight transportation billing, and the enlightening information it contains, is a wonder. One part industry workflow necessity, one part pathway to cost and time saving opportunity. The obligatory portion's unavoidable - bills have to be paid. Its' how you do it, and what additional value you receive in the bargain that can make your workdays and worksheets workable for you.
If you're utilizing a freight bill processor partner whose services are reliable and accurate, you're way ahead industry-wise: you're receiving the benefits. If not, unfortunately, you're missing out. Time you seek assistance, gain beneficial awareness through pre- and post-payment bill auditing for accuracy, and give your in-house accounts payable folks an appreciated hand. Read the rest here...
If you're utilizing a freight bill processor partner whose services are reliable and accurate, you're way ahead industry-wise: you're receiving the benefits. If not, unfortunately, you're missing out. Time you seek assistance, gain beneficial awareness through pre- and post-payment bill auditing for accuracy, and give your in-house accounts payable folks an appreciated hand. Read the rest here...
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Born In the USA
In Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen wrote that he was “Born down in a dead man
town.” Well, those towns may be coming to life again, as companies begin to consider
reducing the offshore manufacture of products and begin to move to "insourcing,"
"onshoring," or "reshoring". While off in the distance, America’s next big import from
China may be jobs. As the cost of doing business rises in traditionally low-cost countries
like China, companies are rethinking their offshoring plans. Other countries may
currently offer rapidly developing domestic markets, artificially low currencies and
significant government incentives to attract foreign investment; the U.S. is still the
number one place to make sophisticated, high-cost goods.
A combination of economic forces is eroding China’s cost advantage as an export
platform for the North American market. With unemployment still at record levels for
the foreseeable future, the U.S. offers a flexible workforce and a growing corporate
sector. The USA is becoming more attractive as a place to manufacture many goods
consumed on this continent. Read the rest here...
town.” Well, those towns may be coming to life again, as companies begin to consider
reducing the offshore manufacture of products and begin to move to "insourcing,"
"onshoring," or "reshoring". While off in the distance, America’s next big import from
China may be jobs. As the cost of doing business rises in traditionally low-cost countries
like China, companies are rethinking their offshoring plans. Other countries may
currently offer rapidly developing domestic markets, artificially low currencies and
significant government incentives to attract foreign investment; the U.S. is still the
number one place to make sophisticated, high-cost goods.
A combination of economic forces is eroding China’s cost advantage as an export
platform for the North American market. With unemployment still at record levels for
the foreseeable future, the U.S. offers a flexible workforce and a growing corporate
sector. The USA is becoming more attractive as a place to manufacture many goods
consumed on this continent. Read the rest here...
More (Yes!) Encouraging Economic Elements; Second-Best Month Ever for Exports
May 2012, the second-best month ever for the exports of goods and services, helped pull the U.S. trade deficit down 3.8 percent from April to $48.7 billion.
Exports of manufactured goods, particularly transportation equipment, have been key to driving down the trade deficit, according to the Commerce Department. Manufactured exports in the first five months of 2012 rose 9 percent year-over-year to $556.5 billion. See story here...
Exports of manufactured goods, particularly transportation equipment, have been key to driving down the trade deficit, according to the Commerce Department. Manufactured exports in the first five months of 2012 rose 9 percent year-over-year to $556.5 billion. See story here...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Good (!) Economic News: Retailers Optimistic Imports Will Increase This Fall
“Whether consumers are going to have the confidence to spend during the next few months depends on what happens with employment, but retailers are being cautiously optimistic,” stated Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation.
“Economists and commentators are talking the economy down,” said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates. “Despite the mixed signals, we remain optimistic that consumers will remain in the market,” he said. See story here...
“Economists and commentators are talking the economy down,” said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates. “Despite the mixed signals, we remain optimistic that consumers will remain in the market,” he said. See story here...
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
European Parliament Vote Against Signing Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
The European Parliament voted against signing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) aimed to protect intellectual property of digital and physical goods.
Supporters said ACTA would standardize international laws protecting intellectual property rights, while opponents feared it would lead to censorship and loss Internet privacy.
A loss for branded and licensed manufacturers, when they could have most used a win…
Friday, July 6, 2012
Fiat Restructuring Factories
Pondering...
Fiat’s on an austerity plan in Italy, restructuring factories to squeeze more cars out of a leaner workforce. Manufacturing world roadmap, for better or worse? See article here...
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Other Side of Manufacturing
To Ponder…
The other side of manufacturing (sounds fun in a way-out way…) Odd Jobs: Car Cup Holder Designer. See article here…
Monday, July 2, 2012
Freight Payment Service Providers Help Shippers
Freight Payment Service Providers Help Shippers Get the Most from Their Business Dollars
See article here...
See article here...
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