IndustryNet Blog

Neway Packaging has introduced a new Make-N-ShipTM box making machine, intuitively engineered to give customers full control to make anything from basic boxes to complex structural packaging, while offering the convenience of ownership through purchase. Their operating system allows for efficient box design, maximizing corrugate yield and minimizing waste.

When people think of the structural metal industry, many picture the iconic image of a group of men eating lunch on an I-beam dangling hundreds of feet in the air. While I-beams are still an integral part of structural metal fabrication, the industry encompasses so many more facets.

U.S. manufacturing activity soared to a two-year high in October, according to the Institute for Supply Management's monthly Report on Business. According to the ISM, industrial activity rose 3.9% in October, hitting a level of 59.3%, hitting a level not seen since September 2018 and representing the sixth straight month of expansion for the economy overall. October's surge in manufacturing activity was led by new orders and production, while employment, a component of the index that has been struggling, finally crossed into expansion for the first time in fourteen months.

It is with great enthusiasm that U.S. Venture welcomes a new President to their U.S. Lubricants Division, James Williams. James will relocate from Houston, working from corporate headquarters in Appleton, Wisconsin. As President, James will be responsible for leading and overseeing the vision, strategy, and operations for the lubricants business. .

Sharpe Products, a leader in pipe and tube bending, laser cutting and custom fabrication services, has purchased a BLM GROUP LT-FREE laser cutting system. Built for complex, three-dimensional part profiles, the five-axis, 3 kW fiber optic laser has additional features such as robotic part manipulation and dual access part loading capabilities. Read more about this exciting new development.

Last week, a company called Landing AI announced the launch of a new platform to help manufacturers build, deploy and scale AI-powered visual inspection on the factory floor. Amid the pandemic, cutting edge technology such as AI implementation in inspection, design, maintenance and forecasting has become more of a must-have than ever, helping companies in the hard-hit manufacturing sector reduce costs and improve quality.

If cotton is "the fabric of our lives", then steel and sheet metal are the spine of our nation. From the swords, muskets and other artillery that created the United States of America to the machinery that saw her through the Industrial Revolution, from the spikes that held her first transcontinental railway to the foundational building materials that enable her to reach the sky with her tallest buildings, steel has played an integral role in the birth and continued growth of the nation.

As demand for electric vehicles has exploded in recent years, Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping has been adding new technical capabilities to produce custom busbars to transmit power in all types of electric vehicles, whether hybrid, all-electric, or autonomous (self-driving). Founded in 1960, Kenmode has produced precision metal stamped parts for the automotive and electronics industries for decades.

While historically companies have used imported aluminum to improve their bottom lines, with the implementation of tariffs on both the raw metal and fabricated products, manufacturers are exploring other strategies. Some, such as Coca-Cola and Genuine Parts, are expecting to pass their cost increases onto consumers. Others, like Illinois Tool Works, are pursuing local sourcing. The advantages of domestic suppliers With shorter distances involved when using domestic suppliers, the resultant costs of logistical problems regarding weather conditions and geopolitical obstacles can be reduced or eliminated. Transportation expenditures also are lower and fewer warehousing facilities may be required. Buying domestically can also result in increased goodwill from consumers. Many customers prefer locally produced goods. They consider buying them as promoting both local wealth and jobs.

Multiple reports out this month suggest the U.S. manufacturing sector is still on the mend, with key metrics showing improvement. Notably, the Small Business Pulse Survey, released by the Commerce Department, finds that U.S. manufacturers are experiencing significantly less negative effect from the pandemic, with 27.8% experiencing a large 'negative' effect Oct. 4th-12th, compared to 46.8% at the start of the pandemic.

COVID-19 and the economy are inextricably linked and are foremost among the concerns of many Americans. In order to restart the economy, the virus must first be contained, according to leading medical experts. Only then can the economy restart and reboot safely. According to the results of a recent Morning Consult poll, 90% of registered voters indicated that they believe the manufacturing sector to be vital to the American economy and the job market.

Big Fogg is pleased to announce special Fall pricing on all outdoor misting solutions. As high temperatures continue, along with COVID-19 related restrictions, businesses have moved outside. Big Fogg misting systems, both permanent installations and rentals, are on sale to help beat the heat.

The pandemic has changed the way the world works. Face-to-face meetings have been replaced with video conferencing, phone calls with emails, paperwork with PDFs. The industrial sector can't function 100% virtually, of course, but more and more industrial companies are embracing automation and certain operational aspects of running an industrial business can benefit from some of the remote-working software out there. However, manufacturers have a unique set of needs when it comes to remote operations. Zoom conferencing might work great for a marketing company, but what about when you're discussing proprietary information or trying to examine a complicated manufacturing process from afar? Are there messaging systems that take into account logistics data? What about purchasing and sourcing, paying vendors and signing contracts? Today, we're taking an in-depth look at some software solutions that cater to the unique needs of manufacturers.

McHenry, IL based Kwik Mark, Inc. announced today the launch of their new Band Marking Fixture. This made in the USA fixture provides a solution for permanently marking your hose bands five at a time, with alphanumerics, serial numbers, date codes, and graphics. Variable data from external files may also be marked. The clever design features 5 rows of clamping with 12 "fingers" on each row that flex and conform to part dimensional variations as well. One toggle lever clamps all five bands and draws them down securely for the dot peen marking operation. Custom configurations and pneumatic powered designs are also available.

U.S. manufacturing activity posted a fifth straight month of expansion in September, though activity slowed slightly over last month, according to the Institute for Supply Management's monthly Report on Business. According to the ISM, U.S. manufacturing activity edged down 0.6% in September, and now stands at 55.4%. Although activity took a step back, the index is still well within expansion territory, suggesting a recovery in the sector is securely underway.

SOUTH BEND, IN -- Elkhart Plastics, Inc. (EPI) is expanding its KONG Coolers product line with the KONG Cruiser, a high-end rotomolded wheeled cooler. Since 2017, KONG Coolers has been helping customers journey longer with coolers that retain ice for longer than almost any other cooler brand in the industry. Now, adventurers can journey further with the new KONG Cruiser. At 50 quarts, the wheeled cooler is ideal for hauling food and drinks to the beach for the day, or for a week-long trip.

ResinTech Inc. announced that is has officially moved into its new global headquarters in Camden, New Jersey. The $138.8M development project includes 353,000 square feet of new construction on a twenty-seven acre campus just two miles from Center City Philadelphia. The company is among several other global brands who have made the move to Camden including American Water and Subaru of America.

Multiple economic reports out this month suggest the U.S. manufacturing sector is still on an upswing, though some key metrics have eased back. Most startlingly, industrial output, the star of the summer's recovery, edged back sharply. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals a more hopeful picture for the sector overall. Today, we're bringing you the big picture look at manufacturing business conditions, compiling key takeaways from various reports on output, labor, new orders, optimism and domestic sourcing.

Machining as a service is critical to the manufacturing and production of many different products ranging from household items to spacecraft. Like every other industry in manufacturing, machining has suffered from the effects of COVID-19 closures. The good news is that the industry is recovering in sync with the reopening of economies across the country.

The USMCA trade deal was somewhat short lived, with the Trump administration declaring new tariffs on Canadian aluminum in early August. Canada has since struck back with its own proposed set of tariffs, due to go into effect September 16th. This article will take a look at the details of the new tariffs and provide more information about Canada's plans for response.

Dispense Works Inc., a supplier of precision adhesive & fluid robotic dispensing systems based in McHenry, Illinois, has announced they are now offering a new RF 2415 Robot dispensing machine. This dispensing machine is able to process bottles, tubes, vials with caps screwed on or supplied loose.

Murata Machinery, USA, a leading provider of manufacturing and intralogistics automation and support, announced two recent hires to help the company achieve a new strategic direction: leading modern manufacturers to the future with Muratec automated solutions. Masazumi Fukushima, President of Murata Machinery, appointed Christine Spiegel as the company's first-ever Strategic Marketing Director and Jeff Holtzapple as North American Sales Manager for Turning Products.

Industrial Valve Services, a 45-year-old U.S. supplier of industrial valves with locations in Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee, recently got in touch with us to share the story of their company and provide some details on their offerings. We are proud to share the highlights of their company with you today.

Late last month R&B Wagner, an employee-owned company, acquired ENPROCON Inc., a longstanding manufacturer and sole supplier of ENDURALL Stainless Steel Junction and Device Boxes located in Barron, WI. R&B Wagner determined the acquisition of ENPROCON's various assets would fit well with its manufacturing capabilities and drive further growth opportunities for R&B Wagner.

U.S. manufacturing activity posted a third straight month of expansion in August, hitting a level the index has not seen since January 2019, according to the Institute for Supply Management's monthly Report on Business. This is the third straight month of expansion for the manufacturing activity index, while the economy registered growth for a fourth consecutive month. According to the ISM, U.S. manufacturing activity edged up another 1.8% in August, and now stands at 56%. Anything over 50% is considered expansionary.

In August of 2019, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NSIT), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, got in touch with us regarding a video they produced on how technology is revolutionizing manufacturing in small towns across the U.S. Fast forward to 2020 and the story told in their compelling video has taken on a whole new meaning. Labor Day 2020 falls within an unprecedented time for the U.S. manufacturing sector and the nation at large.

The Industrial Gas Filtration and Generation Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced new updates to the fabric-style media collector for indoor factory processes. The newly upgraded SmogHog SHM Floor mist and smoke collector can be used as a stand-alone solution or part of a centralized system.

Freedom Manufacturing, Inc., a business specializing in metal manufacturing, is proud to announce national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Freedom Manufacturing, Inc., formerly known as TKD Manufacturing, Inc., is a machine shop operated by skilled tradesmen, that provides quality parts for a variety of industries.

Springs are by definition energy storage devices. Made of elastic material coiled in a specific way, they are used in a wide variety of machines and products. Springs can operate in several different modes depending on the application. Keep reading for some basic facts about springs, the spring manufacturing industry and how to find a spring supplier.

Google dominates the search engine world, commanding 87% of the U.S. search market, and its predominance has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. As volume continues to grow, many business owners are complaining that costs for the search terms they rely on have shot through the roof, landing them in an uncomfortable Catch-22: in a pandemic you're looking to cut costs wherever you can, but without Google, how do you drum up new business? There's no other option than to pay up, right?