Other Industries
Recent Features
The R&D Tax Credit — A Game-Changer for Manufacturers
Recent legislation making the R&D tax credit permanent is a big boon to manufacturers of all sizes, helping them to innovate and expand.
Advancing Manufacturing Through Public/Private Collaboration
Mike Molnar, Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, based at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, describes what’s being done to maintain U.S. leadership in this arena.
Innovations and Trends in Plastic Food Packaging
From plastic cans to new labeling techniques the latest trends in plastic food packaging support freshness, longer shelf life, and product branding and tracking.
Texas Today 2015: Diversified Texas Economy Still in Growth Mode
Texas’s industrial growth hasn’t been confined to one industry - or one region - and the state is continuing to build on its successes.
Advanced Technology and the Changing Face of U.S. Manufacturing
U.S. manufacturers are investing in advanced equipment, automation, and robotics in order to drive down the cost of production and compete in the global economy. The net result has the potential to transform our industrial base.
Electronics, Photonics, and Digital Media Sectors: Key to Future U.S. Competitiveness
These interconnected industries will be drivers in stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving global competitiveness. Collaboration among private-sector companies, universities, and government on research and commercialization will be vital.
Regional Supply Chains: A Win for OEMs and Their Locations
Regional sourcing is helping manufacturers save time and money; with that in mind, savvy suppliers are moving closer to the end users of their products.
Robotics: Changing Manufacturing Processes...and Facility Requirements
Today’s robotics are having an impact on the factory floor, in warehouse and distribution centers, and even in executive offices and homes.
Sparking Advanced Battery Innovation and Economic Growth in Kentucky
Kentucky-Argonne Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center in Lexington is an open access lab that will support cutting-edge research, enable collaborations between a variety of high-profile corporate users, and foster innovation in accelerating advanced battery technologies.
Contributed Content
Future Forward
Diverse and determined, Miami’s tech ecosystem has transformed it from the Magic City to Innovation City.
Contributed Content
Arkansas’ Thriving Timber Basket
With its healthy forests, modern transportation infrastructure, and an available trained workforce, Arkansas’ timber industry has recently enjoyed a resurgence.
Location Notebook: Union County, SC, Moves Forward
Union County, South Carolina, has pieced together a diverse economy from its historical textile roots.
First Person: Renaissance or Cyclical Recovery? Strategy for Sustained U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness Needed
Adams Nager, an economic research assistant at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, recently talked with Area Development about the state of manufacturing in the U.S. In his career, Nager has focused on macroeconomic growth, competitiveness, and tax theory.
First Person: A Tire Giant Helps Grow Small Business
Forming positive relationships with the communities in which they are located is important for companies, large and small. These relationships foster further economic growth within the host communities. With that in mind, Area Development’s editor recently interviewed John Tully, the director of Michelin Development, formed specifically to offer support to new small and medium-size businesses.
Light Manufacturers Create a Unique Supply Chain in Central Ohio
At the New Albany Personal Care and Beauty Innovation Campus, a cluster of manufacturing businesses are working together as a supply chain to create a wide variety of packaged healthcare and beauty products – all developed and completed at the same business park and then shipped all over the world.
First Person: A California Pioneer Brings Source Manufacturing Jobs Back to Ohio
A designer and sourcer of tableware for several large U.S. retailers has opened up a new pottery-making firm that utilizes local skilled talent to manufacture products for the American market.
The Role of Labor in Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing will continue to be reliant upon human interaction for the application and management of technology.
At the Forefront of the Advanced Manufacturing Movement, Canada Embraces Transformation
A leader in innovative manufacturing, Canada recognizes and supports its knowledge-based, high-tech industries which, in turn, continue to invest in cutting-edge R&D
Canada’s Clean Little Secret
Canada’s clean-technology sector — including water, wind, solar, smart grid technology, and more — offers numerous opportunities and advantages to relocating or expanding companies.
Transportation Equipment: A Key Economic Driver
Growth in the automotive, aerospace, and other transportation related manufacturing industries is rolling along at a steady pace.
Leading Locations for 2014 Commentary: One Industry, or Many, Can Lead to Economic Success
As revealed in the overall “Leading Locations” rankings, there is more than one way to become an attractive location. Some locations have risen on the strength of a dominant industry sector. Others have prevailed by offering low-cost real estate, talent, and other resources in a balanced, diversified economy.
The Production and Corporate Headquarters Connection
In many key sectors, the initial alignment of corporate and production operations has shaped regions and influenced the industrial landscape in a very permanent way.
Closing the Gap Between Manufacturing Employers’ Needs and Workers’ Skills
A resurgent manufacturing sector, and shifting workplace technology, has government, business, and academic leaders combining to build a modernized system of work and learning capable of equipping the workforce for 21st century careers.
The Southland Delivers a Solid Economic Performance
The southern states have embraced the transition from traditional to knowledge-based economies and work hard to attract new projects and the high-paying jobs that come with them.
Manufacturing in America: Bigger, Better and Bolder
American manufacturing is on the upswing, with advances in innovation and productivity buoyed by decreased energy and transportation costs, and new efforts to increase work force skills.
One Size Fits All: “Vested” for Large and Small Companies
Companies of all sizes are finding that negotiating and nurturing relationships with suppliers can provide a sustainable competitive advantage. Learn how the “Vested” model is lifting one small, Oregon-based contract manufacturer's ability to help bring its client’s products to market at scale.
Wisconsin’s Bioscience Industry Achieves Global Recognition
Wisconsin’s bioscience industry continues to expand, often led by spinoff companies that are established to commercialize groundbreaking university research.
First Person: Putting U.S. Manufacturing Front and Center
Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, discusses how government policy supports U.S. manufacturing growth, the perceived “skills gap” and mainstream media’s recent focus on U.S. manufacturing.
New Technologies Transforming Manufacturing, Changing Competition
According to a recent paper from the Deloitte University Press entitled “The Transformation of Manufacturing,” advanced materials, new production technologies, and digital techniques are allowing manufacturers to remain competitive despite numerous challenges.
Additive Manufacturing Becomes National Technology Focus
While 3D printing started out more than two decades ago being a means for producing primarily prototype parts, the use of AM technologies in both polymers and powdered metals, for direct production of end-use parts, continues to grow.
Canada’s Innovative High-Tech Sectors
Canada’s clean energy, ICT, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing sectors are clustered around seven vibrant metropolitan areas.
Special Investment Report: Ohio
Sixty percent of the U.S. and Canadian population lies within a day’s drive, making Ohio an ideal location for manufacturing — machinery, automobiles, plastics, appliances, and steel, among others.
First Person: A Frank Discussion on 3D Printing's Evolution and Future
Recently, we spoke with David Cox, president/CEO of Purple Platypus, a 3D printing technologies seller, and Purple Porcupine, a service bureau with 12 machines that print 3D parts for a variety of customers and markets. 3D printing hasn’t exactly been an overnight success, after 25 years, the industry is finally getting the attention it deserves — some good, some bad.
Thailand rides technology, investment tide on 'new wave' supply chain
Thailand has established itself as an important supplier and distributor in many sectors, from automobiles to food processing equipment. As a regional center for Southeast Asia, look for Thailand to become an even bigger and stronger partner to its growing roster of global manufacturers and suppliers.
The States Leading the U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence
Exhibiting know-how and innovation, U.S. manufacturers are adding to their payrolls and economic growth across the nation. We have identified 19 states where manufacturing is leading the way...
First Person: AMT President Calls for Permanent Manufacturing R&D and Innovation Incentives
As manufacturing powers our economic recovery, Area Development and AMT President, Doug Woods, discuss how to continue building sustained U.S manufacturing strength and job creation.
