Industry briefs
U.S.manufacturers face higher costs
U.S. manufacturers face higher corporate taxes, naturalgas prices and other costs than their competitors in nine other industrialcountries, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) said in a recentstudy. Structural costs are 31.7 percent higher for U.S. manufacturers than for theircounterparts in the other countries. That’s up 42 percent from 2003, when a NAM study found U.S. firms at a 22.4 percent costdisadvantage.
Oil and natural gas prices drop, winter heating billsexpected to be lower
Oil prices are down sharply andnatural gas in September 2006 traded at its lowest level in nearly four years.The Natural Gas Supply Association says high supply levels will more thanoffset expected increases in demand this winter, helping to keep wholesaleprices down. If so, it will be the first winter of falling natural gas pricessince 2002.
Manufacturing council announces skilled-workercertification program
The Manufacturing Skills StandardsCouncil (MSSC) has developed a nationally recognized certification program forskilled production technicians who can fill jobs such as machinist, operator,craft worker, distributor and technician. “The skills learned in the MSSCcertification program will help to increase productivity and innovation in allmanufacturing sectors,” said the president and COO of Harley-Davidson and chairof the MSSC board of directors. “The program will provide highly skilledworkers who are flexible, agile and able to meet future manufacturing needs.”
Small to midsized manufacturers facing shortage ofemployees
More than 46 percent of small tomidsized manufacturers surveyed by the National Association of Manufacturers(NAM) say finding qualified employees is a serious problem for their business.“This skills gap reflects a perfect storm that is quickly converging onmanufacturers in their effort to fill factory floor jobs,” said John Engler,president of NAM.“The need for technologically knowledgeable employees is expanding and globalcompetition is increasing even as the baby boom generation begins retiring.”
