In another sign of recent weakness in the manufacturing sector, capacity utilization in the US has stalled, as demand remains soft. US industries are producing significantly below their capacity and “5.5 percentage points below long-run average” according to the Fed. We are certainly far under the 82-85% level at which economists believe that the traditional measures of inflation are expected to rise.
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CALGARY — Manufacturing sales in Alberta fell in April, mirroring what was happening across the country.
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TORONTO, June 3 (Reuters) – Canada’s manufacturing growth expanded at its fastest pace in nearly a year in May, according to data released on Monday, underpinned by new orders which pushed output back into growth mode for the first time in three months.
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CALGARY — Manufacturing sales in Alberta and across Canada edged down in March, according to Statistics Canada.
The federal agency reported Wednesday that sales in Alberta of $6.2 billion were down 0.7 per cent from the previous month and they were off 2.0 per cent from a year ago.
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Pennsylvania-based gas producer Air Products is looking to build a new hydrogen manufacturing facility in Strathcona County that will be used to process bitumen from Alberta’s oilsands.
According to Air Products spokesperson Jane Parks, the project is still in its early stages, and the company will be looking for public input at upcoming events.
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Labor costs are rising overseas and energy costs are falling in America.
These trends have everyone excited that an American manufacturing renaissance is at hand.
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Before Christmas, using plastic products maker Drader Manufacturing as an example, this column highlighted a glaring regional business contradiction.
Conventional business wisdom often declares that manufacturing (outside the oilpatch) in this neck of the woods is “impossible”.
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CALGARY — While Canada experienced a decline in manufacturing sales in January, Alberta saw the sector balloon, reaching $6.3 billion and growth of 6.3 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
The federal agency reported Tuesday that sales in the province were the largest increase since November 2011. They also led the nation in growth.
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Blanket statements about doing business in Alberta are dangerous things.
Conventional wisdom says manufacturing, outside the oil patch, is impossible.
We can’t compete against the Chinese. We can’t compete against the oil patch for wages. We can’t compete in transportation. And our input costs are too high.
The business folks who don’t actually make real stuff have accepted these “truths” without critical examination.
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CALGARY — Manufacturing sales in Alberta rose 1.9 per cent in September to $6.4 billion, according to Statistics Canada.
The federal agency reported Thursday that sales were also up 1.9 per cent from a year ago.
Nationally, manufacturing sales advanced 0.4 per cent to $49.8 billion in September.
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