Tom Rachal (R) receives a free meningitis vaccine from Dr. Wayne Chen at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation pharmacy on April 15, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Los Angeles County's unemployment rate is 7.9%, down from 9.2% a year ago, and once again it was healthcare that added the most jobs: 22,000.
; Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

If you want a job in Los Angeles County, you’re best off being a nurse or a hotel worker and you’re less likely to find employment in manufacturing. 

We’re getting our first look at the employment numbers for 2014, which show mostly good news: California’s unemployment has fallen to 7 percent, the lowest rate in five and a half years. (The final numbers come out in March)

The state’s job growth outpaced the rest of the country for the third straight year, though it slowed slightly towards the end of the year.

California added jobs at a 2.2 percent annual rate last year, outpacing the nation’s 1.8 percent rate. 

Los Angeles County fared the worst as far as seasonally adjusted year-to-year job gains among California's major metropolitan areas, according to The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.:

• San Jose/Silicon Valley +4 percent
• San Francisco Bay Area + 3.8 percent 
• San Diego +3.3 percent
• Inland Empire +1.9 percent
• Orange County +2.3 percent
• Ventura +2 percent
• Los Angeles +1.7 percent

Los Angeles County's unemployment rate is 7.9 percent, down from 9.2 percent a year ago, and once again it was health care that added the most jobs: 22,000.

"Part of it is demographic, and part of it was the Affordable Care Act, which is helping more individuals take advantage of health care," said Robert Kleinhenz, Chief Economist at the L.A. County Economic Development Corp.

Aside from an aging population needing more health care, Kleinhenz adds that more people can afford to get medical treatment because of the improvement in the economy. 

With more money in their pockets, more people have also been traveling, which made leisure and hospitality the second-best area for job growth in the county, with 11,300 new jobs.

What's not doing well? 

Manufacturing, especially in non-durable goods – which includes food and clothing – lost the most jobs in L.A. County in 2014: 6,700 jobs. The only other sector that shed jobs was the government, which lost almost 3,800 jobs positions last year.

Kleinhenz also pointed to wholesale trade, which lost 300 jobs year-to-year in but saw job growth in the Inland Empire. 

"Some parts of the goods movement may be moving into the Inland Empire, where we have seen in recent years quite a bit of warehouse building taking place,” said Kleinhenz. 

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Fonterra has opened a new A$6 million ricotta manufacturing plant in north central Victoria that will deliver global opportunities for the Victorian dairy industry. Built with $250,000 grant from the Victorian Government, the Perfect Italiano Ricotta project demonstrates Fonterra’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a presence in northern Victoria and boosts the company’s Stanhope workforce to 126.

Australia’s manufacturing sector has been given a boost with the opening of Australia’s largest additive manufacturing hub and a new world-class research facility in Melbourne. The new 3D printing additive manufacturing plant produces parts and devices for the mining, defence, bio-medical, construction, aerospace and automotive industries, in a more cost-effective way than traditional methods.

DiversiTech Corp., a leading manufacturer and supplier of HVACR parts and accessories, announced that it has purchased Cliplight Manufacturing Co., a Toronto-based manufacturer of HVACR sealants, work lights, and battery charger products.

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Twisthink’s Taryn Kutches on Manufacturing Technology and How to Start the Innovation Process  Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

The facility will help the company meet the growing demands of the domestic pharmaceutical industry

Data Stack Evolution: Legacy Challenges and AI Innovation, a global report which included a survey of 775 manufacturing and supply chain IT decision-makers, found that almost three in five (58%) said their data leadership and IT teams work in silo.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 24, 2024 ) The mRNA synthesis & manufacturing market is projected to reach USD 2,958.3 million in 2029 from USD 2,231.4 million in 2024. This market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. The primary drivers behind the expansion of this market are...

The global manufacturing market has experienced a myriad of changes in recent years. Particularly in the U.S., automation, offshoring and technology have made a major impact on manufacturing businesses of all sizes.

Manufacturing Trends
Here are some facts and statistics that illustrate these prominent industry trends.

Manufacturing Market Size
The median annual revenue for manufacturing companies is between $50 and $100 million per year.
About 7 percent of manufacturing companies have annual revenues under $1 million.
In the U.S., manufacturing makes up 12 percent of the national output.

complete article

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 03, 2024 ) Aliphatic Amines Market are substances created through displacement reaction within an ammonia molecule. Monovalent hydrocarbon radicals replaced the hydrogen atoms in ammonia in Aliphatic Amines. The analysis in the report examines how the COVID-19 pandemic...

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 03, 2024 ) The Global 23 Butanediol Market is experiencing growth due to its rising demand in the chemical and industrial sectors. Used widely as an intermediate in the production of plastics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, 23 Butanediol is essential in high-performance material...

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 06, 2024 ) The global mRNA Synthesis & Manufacturing Market is projected to grow from USD 2,231.4 million in 2024 to USD 2,958.3 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.8%. Key drivers include the growing focus on mRNA-based vaccines, expanding therapeutic applications, advancements...

In the construction sector, moulding machines are crucial in producing concrete products, yet changing their mould can pose challenges for some businesses. This paper presents a case study aimed at reducing the setup time of HESS RH 600 moulding machine. Four alternatives are proposed and evaluated to achieve this goal. The first alternative involves converting internal to external activities, while the subsequent alternatives aim to improve the basic solution. These include building a canopy near the machine (alternative 2), installing an air reservoir (alternative 3), and a comprehensive approach involving building the canopy, installing the air reservoir, and adding a new forklift to facilitate the machine setup process (alternative 4). The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) heuristic method is used to select the best alternative solution based on prespecified criteria. It is found that the application of the single-minute exchange of die (SMED) solution without any further improvement is the most favourable.

In several manufacturing firms, inventory constitutes most of the current assets, and this underscores the importance of inventory management as a fundamental issue for the majority of the firms irrespective of their sizes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to assess the factors that influence the effectiveness of inventory management of Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The study employs PLS-SEM technique to test the hypotheses. The main findings show that documentation and records, inventory control system and qualified personnel have positive effects on effective inventory management of Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The study also reveals that effective inventory management has a mediating effect on the relationship between documentation and records, inventory control system, qualified personnel and organisational performance. Therefore, the study recommends that Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector should improve their approaches to embracing effective inventory management practices in order to enhance organisational performance.

The purpose of the study is to identify influential factors in the use of collaborative networks within the context of manufacturing. The study aims to investigate factors that influence employees’ learning, and to bridge the gap between theory and praxis in collaborative networks in manufacturing. The study further extends the boundary of a collaborative network beyond enterprises to include suppliers, customers, and external stakeholders. It provides a holistic perspective of collaborative networks within the complexity of the manufacturing environment, based on empirical evidence from a questionnaire survey of 246 respondents from diverse manufacturing industries. Drawing upon the socio-technical systems (STS) theory, the study presents the theoretical context and interpretations through the lens of manufacturing. The results show significant influences of organizational support, promotive interactions, positive interdependence, internal-external learning, perceived effectiveness, and perceived usefulness on the use of collaborative networks among manufacturing employees. The study offers a basis of empirical validity for measuring collaborative networks in organizational learning and knowledge/information sharing in manufacturing.

Aim/Purpose: Despite the fact that the plethora of studies demonstrate the positive impact of information technology (IT) capabilities on SMEs performance, the understanding of underlying mechanisms through which IT capabilities affect the firm performance is not yet clear. This study fills these gaps by explaining the roles of absorptive capacity and corporate entrepreneurship. The study also elaborates the effect of IT capability dimensions (IT integration and IT alignment) upon the SMEs performance outcomes through the mediating sequential process of absorptive capacity and corporate entrepreneurship. Methodology: This study empirically tests a theoretical model based on the Dynamic Capability View (DCV), by using the partial least square (PLS) technique with a sample of 489 manufacturing SMEs in Pakistan. A survey is employed for the data collection by following the cluster sampling approach. Contribution: This research contributes to the literature of IT by bifurcating the IT capability into two dimensions, IT integration and IT alignment, which allows us to distinguish between different sources of IT capabilities. Additionally, our findings shed the light on the dynamic capability view by theoretically and empirically demonstrating how absorptive capacity and corporate entrepreneurship sequentially affect the firms' performance outcomes. At last, this study contributes to the literature of SMEs by measuring the two levels of performance: innovation performance and firm performance. Findings: The results of the analysis show that the absorptive capacity and the corporate entrepreneurship significantly mediate the relationship between both dimensions of IT capability and performance outcomes.

Aim/Purpose: The need to explore leaders’ role as a mediating factor between knowledge sharing and firms’ competitiveness was the focus of this paper. Further, gaps related to knowledge sharing influence on firms’ competitiveness from an emerging economy perspective was a major driver of this study. Background: The relevance of knowledge sharing is today crucial for firms that seek to harness internal resource innovation towards ensuring increased competitiveness. The link between the actions of leaders and outcomes from sharing knowledge towards increased competitiveness would further advance theory on knowledge sharing and provide managerial implication that is instrumental for an improved organisational outcome. Methodology: The study sample was 282 participants and Partial least square structural equation model was used for the analysis of the data obtained through a questionnaire survey with the aid of SmartPLSv3.9. Contribution: The study contributes to knowledge management literature through advancing leadership as a mediating factor that accounts for the link between knowledge sharing and firms’ competitiveness, most especially from an emerging economy perspective. Findings: Knowledge sharing was found to have a positive effect on firms’ competitiveness. The study found that leadership behaviour mediates the relationship between knowledge sharing and a firm’s competitiveness. Recommendations for Practitioners: The study recommends that, when supported with the right attitude from leaders in the organisation, knowledge sharing will be beneficial towards the firm gaining competitiveness most especially. Future Research: Future studies should be carried out in other sectors aside from the manufacturing sector using the same measures used to measure knowledge sharing. Also, a comparative analysis of knowledge sharing and firms’ competitiveness using leaders’ behaviour as a mediator should be researched in other developing economies.

Aim/Purpose: Acquisitions play a pivotal role in the growth strategy of a firm. Extensive resources and time are dedicated by a firm toward the identification of prospective acquisition candidates. The Indian manufacturing sector is currently experiencing significant growth, organically and inorganically, through acquisitions. The principal aim of this study is to explore models that can predict acquisitions and compare their performance in the Indian manufacturing sector. Background: Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) have been integral to a firm’s growth strategy. Over the years, academic research has investigated multiple models for predicting acquisitions. In the context of the Indian manufacturing industry, the research is limited to prediction models. This research paper explores three models, namely Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and Multilayer Perceptron, to predict acquisitions. Methodology: The methodology includes defining the accounting variables to be used in the model which have been selected based on strong theoretical foundations. The Indian manufacturing industry was selected as the focus, specifically, data for firms listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) between 2010 and 2022 from the Prowess database. There were multiple techniques, such as data transformation and data scrubbing, that were used to mitigate bias and enhance the data reliability. The dataset was split into 70% training and 30% test data. The performance of the three models was compared using standard metrics. Contribution: The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge in multiple dimensions. First, a prediction model customized to the Indian manufacturing sector has been developed. Second, there are accounting variables identified specific to the Indian manufacturing sector. Third, the paper contributes to prediction modeling in the Indian manufacturing sector where there is limited research. Findings: The study found significant supporting evidence for four of the proposed hypotheses indicating that accounting variables can be used to predict acquisitions. It has been ascertained that statistically significant variables influence acquisition likelihood: Quick Ratio, Equity Turnover, Pretax Margin, and Total Sales. These variables are intrinsically linked with the theories of liquidity, growth-resource mismatch, profitability, and firm size. Furthermore, comparing performance metrics reveals that the Decision Tree model exhibits the highest accuracy rate of 62.3%, specificity rate of 66.4%, and the lowest false positive ratio of 33.6%. In contrast, the Multilayer Perceptron model exhibits the highest precision rate of 61.4% and recall rate of 64.3%. Recommendations for Practitioners: The study findings can help practitioners build custom prediction models for their firms. The model can be developed as a live reference model, which is continually updated based on a firm’s results. In addition, there is an opportunity for industry practitioners to establish a benchmark score that provides a reference for acquisitions. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers can expand the scope of research by including additional classification modeling techniques. The data quality can be enhanced by cross-validation with other databases. Textual commentary about the target firms, including management and analyst quotes, provides additional insight that can enhance the predictive power of the models. Impact on Society: The research provides insights into leveraging emerging technologies to predict acquisitions. The theoretical basis and modeling attributes provide a foundation that can be further expanded to suit specific industries and firms. Future Research: There are opportunities to expand the scope of research in various dimensions by comparing acquisition prediction models across industries and cross-border and domestic acquisitions. Additionally, it is plausible to explore further research by incorporating non-financial data, such as management commentary, to augment the acquisition prediction model.

Aim/Purpose: The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of knowledge-based Human Resources Management (HRM) practices on inbound and outbound open innovation in Jordanian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Background: SMEs in Jordan lack tangible resources. This insufficiency can be remedied by using knowledge as a resource. According to the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) theory, which posits knowledge as the most valuable resource, SMEs can achieve open innovation by implementing knowledge-based HRM practices that enhance the utilization of knowledge and yield competitiveness. Methodology: This study adopted the quantitative method employing descriptive and exploratory approaches. A total of 500 Jordanian manufacturing SMEs were selected from 2,310 manufacturing SMEs registered lists, according to the Jordan Social Security, by using random sampling. The study’s instrument was a questionnaire that was applied to these SMEs. There were 335 responses that were deemed useful for analysis after filtering out the replies with missing values; this corresponded to a response rate of 67%. The paper utilized structural equation modeling and cross-sectional design to test hypotheses in the proposed research model. Contribution: This study advocates the assumption of the role of KBV in improving innovation practices. This study contributes to the existing strategic HRM research by extending the understanding of knowledge-based HRM practices in the context of SMEs. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of innovation management by demonstrating the role of knowledge-based HRM practices in boosting inbound and outbound OI practices, thereby enhancing innovation as an essential component of firm competitiveness. Findings: The findings revealed the positive impact of four knowledge-based HRM practices on inbound and outbound open innovation in Jordanian manufacturing SMEs. These practices were knowledge-based recruitment and selection, knowledge-based training and development, knowledge-based compensation and reward, as well as knowledge-based performance assessment. Recommendations for Practitioners: This study is expected to help the stakeholders of SMEs to re-shape the traditional HRM practices into knowledge-based practices which improve managerial skills, innovation practices, and the level of the firm’s competitiveness. Recommendation for Researchers: This study serves as a significant contribution to the research field of innovation practices by building a new association between knowledge-based HRM practices and inbound and outbound open innovation. Impact on Society: The study emphasizes the vital role of knowledge-based HRM practices in enhancing the knowledge and social skills of the human capital in SMEs in Jordan, thus improving the country’s social and economic development. Future Research: Future research could build on this study to include service SMEs. It could also employ a longitudinal study over the long run which would allow for a deeper analysis of the relationships of causality, offering a more comprehensive view of the effect of knowledge-based HRM on open innovation. Furthermore, future research could examine the sample of investigation before and after implementing the knowledge-based HRM practices to provide stronger evidence of their influence on inbound and outbound innovation.

Recent innovations in additive manufacturing (AM) have proven its efficacy for not only the manufacturing industry but also the healthcare industry. Researchers from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and California State University Long Beach are developing a model that will determine the optimal locations for additive manufacturing hubs that can effectively serve both the manufacturing and healthcare industries. This paper will focus on providing an overview of the healthcare industry's unique needs for an AM hub and summarise the specific inputs for the model. The methods used to gather information include extensive literature research on current practices of AM models in healthcare and an inclusive survey of healthcare practitioners. This includes findings on AM's use for surgical planning and training models, the workflow to generate them, sourcing methods, and the AM techniques and materials used. This paper seeks to utilise the information gathered through literature research and surveys to provide guidance for the initial development of an AM hub location model that locates optimal service locations.

Milwaukee Tool has once again expanded its presence in the United States with the opening of its newest manufacturing facility, which is located in Grenada County, Mississippi.

On Sept. 6, Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., the parent company of Simpson Strong-Tie, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary as a publicly listed company.

Olympia, WA — A new Washington state law will require construction and manufacturing employers who use temporary workers to identify and document workplace hazards, communicate those hazards to staffing agencies, and make sure workers are informed and properly trained.

Iselin, NJ — A recent survey of manufacturing and warehouse employees shows that 75% receive less than 30 minutes of safety training a week, while 20% receive no weekly training.

Washington — The National Occupational Research Agenda Manufacturing Sector Council has created an online resource guide intended to assist organizations in beginning, maintaining or enhancing their hazardous energy control programs.

Chicago — A new Local Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at protecting workers in Wisconsin food manufacturing establishments from machine and amputation hazards.

Washington – More than one out of eight workers exposed to on-the-job noise suffer from some form of hearing impairment, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A 62-year-old man was employed by a company that specializes in the manufacture of additives to enhance the performance and durability of concrete. On the day of the incident, the laborer was tasked with the production of a viscosity modifier additive.

The Guarddog Self-Closing Safety Gate from BlueWater Manufacturing Inc. is tough, durable and easy to install. The gate is available in powder-coated, galvanized and stainless steel finishes, as well as in five nominal sizes. Provide your employees with the best safety gate available with the Guarddog.

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Detroit — Workers in construction and manufacturing may experience a “significantly higher incidence” of carpal tunnel syndrome compared with office workers, results of a recent study by researchers from the Henry Ford Health System show.

New York – A new report claims 42 percent of workers surveyed in New York City’s food manufacturing industry have been injured on the job.

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Exposure to vibration or being required to make repetitive motions can lead to significant wear and tear on the body. The resulting injuries are known as cumulative trauma disorders.

What features are commonly used in the construction of safety shoes to protect against impact and compression hazards?

The Guarddog Self-Closing Safety Gate from BlueWater Manufacturing, Inc. is tough, durable and easy to install. The gate is available in powder-coated, galvanized and stainless steel finishes, as well as in five nominal sizes. Provide your employees with the best safety gate available with the Guarddog.

Morgantown, WV — Turning mundane manufacturing tasks into games may boost worker engagement, motivation and productivity – but it also may stress out some people, results of a recent study show.

The company will add all new processing equipment, including a cutting-edge “spiral hydro chiller” for quick-chilling soups to lock in freshness, as well as proprietary cooking kettles that are both large enough for production efficiencies yet small enough to allow soup to be made largely by hand in small batches.

USDA certification plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of meat and poultry flavors and is required for food products when meat and poultry ingredients surpass a specific threshold in a recipe.

The new facility is located adjacent to The Mart Group’s headquarters, bringing the company’s total employment in Rupert to more than 230 people. The new Mart Frozen Foods facility will directly create 80 full-time jobs, and have an estimated annual economic impact of $11.15 million.  

The Verona facility has the capacity to produce more than 100,000 pounds of product a day using high-pressure processing, a cold pasteurization technology that retains the flavor and nutritional benefits of CAVA’s fresh ingredients, with no preservatives.

Motors and drives run the food and packaging production lines that processors rely on, and they are a major consideration of any automation strategy.

Data is valuable because it helps manufacturers make better decisions. But there’s a big difference between collecting data and being able to actually use it. If you don’t have a system in place to be able to understand what the data is telling you, then you’re going to be overwhelmed by it.

For soda manufacturers seeking to fine-tune their syrup filtration processes, backflushable stacked disc cartridges can play a key role in ensuring consistent soft drink quality.

I recently toured our 2022 Plant of the Year in preparation for next month’s announcement and cover story reveal of our winner. While there, I had our July cover story in my head and filtered everything I saw through this question: “What is the state of food manufacturing today?”

The $100 million facility will be largely dedicated to Goldfish and Pepperidge Farm production.

The California-based company is adding equipment, resources and production space to accommodate production of USDA-certified meat and poultry-based products.