Industrial output falls 0.1% unexpectedly amid supply issues
Manufacturing output fell by 0.3%, with output at auto plants down 1.3%. Automakers have been hurt by supply chain problems, especially shortages of crucial computer chips.
Manufacturing
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New auto sales up in 2021, but long way before full recovery
Although there are plenty of customers who want to buy new vehicles at hefty prices, there still aren’t enough computer chips available for the industry to fully crank up its factories.
U.S. manufacturing activity slows to 11-month low
While the December performance still reflected strength in manufacturing, there were concerns that the current global surge in COVID-19 cases, largely the highly infectious omicron variant, could further depress manufacturing in coming months.
2021 Year in Review: Supply-chain problems proved an ongoing challenge
From automobiles to canned goods, certain items have been in short supply, and for a variety of reasons.
Regulators step up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures, fires
Engine failures and fires have dogged the Korean automakers’ vehicles since September 2015 when the company issued an engine failure recall.
Indiana’s RV industry sets annual production record
Factories shipped about 49,000 recreational vehicles in November alone, a record number for the month and a 15% jump from November 2020.
Biden boosts fuel-economy standards to fight climate change
A final rule being issued Monday would raise mileage standards starting in the 2023 model year, reaching a projected industry-wide target of 40 miles per gallon by 2026
Manufacturers embrace advanced technology, but carefully
A growing number of Hoosier companies say advanced technology is improving productivity and profits, but that choosing and implementing the right tech can be challenging.
U.S. industrial production up by 0.5% in November
U.S. industrial production increased in November as output at the nation’s factories reached the highest level since January 2019.
Indiana-based forklift manufacturing giant getting new CEO
Jeff Rufener, president and CEO, plans to retire from Toyota Material Handling at the end of the month after leading the company for the past 10 years.
Planning questions emerge at tornado-destroyed candle plant
Eight of the 110 workers on the overnight shift Friday are confirmed dead and another eight are missing. More than 90 have now been accounted for, making the death toll lower than some had feared hours earlier.
GM venture picks Michigan for 3rd U.S.-based EV battery plant
General Motors and a joint-venture partner plan to build an electric vehicle battery factory in Lansing, Michigan. They say the plant would cost up to $2.5 billion and employ as many as 1,700 workers.
GM chief exec says making ventilators in Indiana changed company’s culture
CEO Mary Barra said General Motors now uses the same approach it learned making ventilators at a Kokomo factory for its own electric vehicles, software and partially automated driver-assist systems.
UAW votes for direct election of leaders in wake of scandal
Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.
Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices
Extreme weather and supply chain disruptions have reduced supplies of both real and artificial trees this season.
GM cites improved chip supply in raising financial guidance
General Motors raised its outlook Wednesday and said it expects to return to a normal production rate by the end of next year.
GM venture to build North American battery chemical plant
The plant will employ hundreds of people and will start making materials in 2024, said Doug Parks, GM’s global product development and supply chain head.
Allegion Ventures launches $100M technology investment fund
Allegion says it had such success with its first investment fund, which launched in 2018, that it’s now starting a second fund that’s twice the size of the original.
Samsung says it will build $17B semiconductor factory in Texas
Samsung said the new facility will boost production of high-tech chips used for 5G mobile communications, advanced computing and artificial intelligence, and also improve supply chain resilience.
Engineering firm to close two Lebanon facilities, lay off 62 employees
Kaufmann Engineering cited ongoing supply chain and labor disruption issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as the reasons for its decision.