January 2, 2008 - The Institute for Supply Management December 2008 Report on Business shows that manufacturing activity slipped for the fifth consecutive month to its lowest level in 28 years.   None of the reporting manufacturing industries reported growth in December. ISM Report

December 31, 2008 - From the Associated Press:  Treasury Lays Out Details for Auto Aid. The plan leaves the door open for aid to buinesses in the automotive supply chain.

December 31, 2008 - The U.S. Treasury Department issued a written response to questions posed by the Congressional Oversight Panel on measures taken under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to stabilize the finanical markets and get the economy moving again, including how funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program are being used toward this goal.

December 23, 2008 - An issue brief prepared by the Congressional Budget Office looks at the factors related to the steep decline in manufacturing employment since 2000 and finds that increases in productivity and imports are the primary reasons behind the substantial job loss that has occurred over the last eight years.

December 23, 2008 - The Office of the United States Trade Representatives presented its mandated annual report to Congress on China's compliance with the World Trade Organization's rules.

Includes presentations from recent Webinars and meetings.

May 7-8, 2009, Nashville, Tenn. - Creating a winning customer service and support team - a valuable experience for anyone in the manufacturing technology industry that touches the customer by impacting service delivery.  Formerly the Service Management Conference. 

March 16-18, 2009, New Orleans, Louisiana - NCMS is partnering with AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the Council on Competitiveness for a conference highlighting the cutting-edge technology of HPC and how it applies to business and manufacturing.

December 19, 2008 - President Bush announced a plan today to stabilize auto makers by drawing from the financial rescue package Congress approved earlier this year. Automotive companies receiving loans will have to establish plans for long-term viability by March 31 or be required to repay their loans in full. "In the midst of a financial crisis and a recession, allowing the U.S. auto industry to collapse is not a responsible course of action," the President said.

A highlight of the AMT Annual Meeting was the presentation by Professor Paul Zane Pilzer entitled Economic Alchemy. Professor Pilzer’s Theory of Economic Alchemy is based on the importance of technology in determining economic success and well-being.

PDF version offers an expanded collection of data on the U.S. and international manufacturing technology industry.  

January 13, 14 & 15, 2009 – The ANSI B11.19 Subcommittee deals with safeguard performance criteria for machines.  This meeting will be held at Hilton Longboat Key, Longboat Key (Sarasota), Florida.

February 9 - 11, 2009 – The ANSI B11.TR3 Subcommittee deals with risk assessment/risk reduction for machines.  This meeting will be held at DePaul University’s O’Hare Campus in Des Plaines, Illinois.