Week 43 in Manufacturing News

Positive signs from U.S. – Slowdown In U.S. Manufacturing Is Stabilizing; European project CORDIS; Microgravity and manufacturing – companies aiming to develop their products in low-Earth orbit.

Slowdown In U.S. Manufacturing Is Stabilizing

Preliminary survey readings from three Federal Reserve banks suggest that manufacturing’s headwinds may be easing.

It wouldn’t be the first time that a weak manufacturing sector finds its footing and reverses a worrisome decline.

For much of 2019, it’s been obvious that manufacturing has once again found itself on the back foot.

Source: Seeking Alpha.

Gloom in UK manufacturing deepens, with worst outlook for exports in 18 years, CBI survey shows

British manufacturing continues down a gloomy path with expectations for exports in the year ahead the worst in 18 years, according to the CBI’s quarterly Industrial Trends Survey.

“Brexit concerns have clearly driven concern about the near-term outlook for exports, with citations of political and economic uncertainty abroad and quota/import licence restrictions spiking to multi-decade highs,” the CBI said.

Source: Independent.

Can European manufacturing industries boost competitiveness and productivity by embracing the circular economy?

Manufacturing is a pillar of innovation and growth for Europe, providing over 32 million jobs and 16% of GDP; but outdated machinery and unplanned downtime can cause significant losses for companies and employees. To reclaim lost productivity and strengthen competitiveness, the European Commission asked innovators to improve industrial sustainability and unlock the potential of digital connectivity. A recently launched European project is looking to provide the solutions.

More about RECLAIM manufacturing project at CORDIS.

Space Manufacturing May Soon Remake the Planet Below

Living and working in space is an expensive proposition—there has to be a payoff for all that time, effort and investment. Thanks to microgravity, there is—and it has the potential to be huge.

In episode three of Giant Leap, a Bloomberg Originals series, we take a look at the companies aiming to develop their products in low-Earth orbit. These days, startups are ready to create materials never before seen, including tools that can be 3D printed in microgravity for use in the International Space Station and on missions to the moon and beyond.

Watch the episode at Bloomberg.