Falling domestic demand weighed on Germany's key mechanical engineering sector in May, the VDMA industry federation said Wednesday. The manufacture of machine tools is a key driver of German industry and exports. In May, overall incoming orders declined by two percent compared with the same month a year earlier, VDMA said in a statement. Domestic orders were down four percent while export orders stagnated, VDMA added. Using a three-month comparison to iron out short-term fluctuations, VDMA said overall orders were flat in the period from March to May. Foreign orders edged up slightly by one percent in the three-month period, while domestic orders fell by two percent, VDMA calculated. "Germany's mechanical engineering sector is still waiting for a breakthrough," said VDMA chief economist Ralph Wiechers. "The year got off to a rather mixed start," he said. Nevertheless, the federation was confident that during the course of the year, the sector would approach its target for a two percent increase in output, Wiechers said. He said the Greek crisis had not left any mark on the sector so far. "Greece isn't a large market for us," accounting for just 360 million euros ($400 million) or 0.2 percent of all exports in the sector last year, Wiechers said. Source: Expatica
0 Comments
Sluggish international markets are damping earnings at U.S. industrials giants.
Caterpillar, the largest manufacturer of construction and mining machinery, cut its full-year sales forecast Thursday, saying important end-user industries remain weak. 3M reduced the top end of its 2015 profit and revenue, citing lower-than- expected global economic growth. The earnings season has been spotty for U.S. companies so far. Earnings per share at Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies probably slumped 5.3 percent in the second quarter, according to analysts' estimates, weighed down by tumbling oil and commodities prices and slow global economic growth. Excluding the energy industry, S&P 500 profits rose just 1.5 percent, analysts estimate. That's not to say there haven't been bright spots. General Motors' second-quarter net income beat predictions by a wide margin, fueled by strength in China and in the U.S. GM's results, which sent the shares up as much as 7.9 percent, signalled that the Chinese consumer is still showing buying power. Caterpillar is selling fewer of its signature yellow diggers and dump trucks to miners amid the deepening slump in prices for copper, coal and iron ore. Sales of engines and generators to the energy industry also have been hurt by the slide in oil and natural gas prices. There's no end in sight, with the Bloomberg Commodity Index falling this week to a 13- year low. "While economic conditions in the United States are modestly positive, the global economy remains relatively stagnant," Caterpillar Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman said in a statement. "Many of the key industries we serve remain weak, and we haven't seen sustained signs of improvement." The shares slipped as much as 3.4 percent, while 3M, the St. Paul, Minnesota-based maker of safety equipment and Post-it Notes, dropped as much as 3.1 percent. At the same time, cheap oil and natural gas is benefiting industries that use it as raw material. Dow Chemical Co., the largest U.S. chemical maker by revenue, said its plastics business posted record profit on lower material costs. And low gasoline prices at the pump have helped spurred sales of profitable pickups and sport utility vehicles in the U.S., where GM is the market leader. McDonald's Corp., under new CEO Steve Easterbrook, predicted a return to growth for the burger chain in the second half of the year after reporting a decline in second-quarter global same-store sales -- which measure locations open at least 13 months. Easterbrook, a longtime McDonald's executive who was elevated to the top job in March, is working on a turnaround plan to revive sales. Also reporting Thursday were Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp., the owner of the Universal film studios, and Imax Corp., the operator of large-screen cinemas. Results at both companies were boosted by the blockbusters "Jurassic World" and "Furious 7." Bristol-Myers Squibb raised its full-year forecast, a signal that its bet on cancer drugs powered by the immune system is paying off. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. also boosted its 2015 profit forecast, helped by a newly acquired treatment for a digestive condition. On his most recent whirlwind trip to India, Foxconn founder-CEO Terry Gou met Business Insider India and shared his vision for India's future. This was just before he flew off to meet several other companies across Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai. The world's largest contract manufacturer, best known to manufacture Apple and Kindle products is currently looking to set up manufacturing units in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra and subsequently expand to other states across the country. The company is aiming to offer at least 1-2 million jobs by 2020. Gou has been meeting several internet start-ups, small-medium enterprise and device manufactures in India including Bharti's Hike Messenger and Snapdeal for potential investments and partnerships. The company aims to partner with Indian enterprises to envisage its broader vision called Internet Plus. When asked if he feels any change since his last trip to India to launch Nokia's Chennai plant Gou says, "I've come back after a decade, and I do see changes in people's mindsets. Tonnes of smart and talented entrepreneurs with bright ideas willing to launch their own businesses." Gou says that it confuses him why the Indian market is so open. Internet giants like Facebook and Google are banned in China, giving rise to local players. "In China, we have BAT - Baidu, Ali, Tencent. Why does the country not support the local young generation and the locals use a service that's not yours? This means while the country is independent, the economy is not. You're just users", he observes. He also feels the government has not done enough to support industry. "In India spectrum is so expensive. Companies spend billions on this. They can save it to build towers and other infrastructure. While India has a great software base worldwide, and the young generation is working so hard, IT/DT technologies can't flourish without hardware support. China has over 95% 4G coverage. India has less than 1% 4G, and your 3G keeps switching to 2G. This is a major problem", he says. Gou points out that while Modi and the local governments are more 'friendly' now, the infrastructure and tax regulations are things they should look into. He admits to having met Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Foxconn had to close down its Chennai plant due to labour issues. There were 'complications', he says, "not our fault, political situation." When asked whether we'll see iPhones and Xiaomi smartphones manufactured in India, which can significantly reduce prices in local markets, Gou replies, "The brand is not important. It could be a Lenovo or a Micromax. We're more focused on whether the phones meet the local demand. The key is that it should be locally assembled with local components and equipment by locals, keeping locals in mind". "We're willing to educate and work with local talent to manufacture software and content for the Indian audience", he says, "My vision of the future would see a seamless integration of hardware and software. Imagine your software and our hardware together." Source: Business Insider Global
From a technological march of seminars in 2004 to Surabaya and Jakarta, to grounding the first milestone of events in Jakarta in 2005, to that which is now branded as a Premier event for the crème of the industry that are keen on long term gain through higher productivity from acquiring higher technology to yield quality in both products and services, MTT has been asked by key players and many stalwarts to extend its service into Malaysia in 2014.
Over the years, MTT has been run with its pulse synchronized with the heartbeat of the marketplace. Every feature of MTT is designed, machined, moulded and pressed into the shape as programmed and specified by the manufacturing sectors it targets and the industries it serves at large. A steering committee comprising of industry stakeholders, exhibitors and government bodies set the pace and direct the steps of the MTT events.
Source: Ten Links
Worldwide Industrial Robot markets are poised to achieve significant growth as the automotive early adopter base provides a way for other industries to leverage economies of scale. Industrial Robot infrastructure in one industry makes it easier to extend product sets so that they are more available across all industries, remaking all manufacturing everywhere. Controllers permit leveraging industrial robot technology to improve automated process via iteration of work cells. Using controllers to leverage efficiencies is an evolving art, extending the current state of the art. Robots can perform tasks at less cost, and do work in a manner that cannot be replicated with human manufacturing workers. Information technology is used to implement the services provided by controllers.
Growth prospects for the industrial robotics industry depend on market opportunity metrics relative to the different industries. Automotive investment levels globally have remained at historical highs. Increasing usage of robotic automation by non-automotive companies is driving the usage of industrial robot automation to a new level. Increased adoption of industrial robots coupled with a huge push from the industry for collaborative robots, opens opportunities for robotic solutions. In the immediate future industrial robots strengthen the position of every industry, promising more manufacturing efficiency at every level. Industrial robots can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans. Increases in productivity are provided by industrial robots. Robots help reduce overall manufacturing costs in developing and developed countries. Markets are expected to rise 11.5% annually through 2021. Industrial robot markets at $22 billion in 2014 are anticipated to reach $48.9 billion by 2021. |
AboutB2BManufactures.com focuses on providing the e-business solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises, and helping them enhance international competitiveness in world arena. Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|