Week 7 in Manufacturing News

Manufacturing wage growth hit its highest level in over a decade 

The 12-month moving average of wage growth rose to 3.9 percent in December.

Highest level recorded since May 2008, according to the Atlanta Fed’s wage growth tracker. January saw wages remain at this very elevated level.

The Atlanta Fed’s wage tracker indicates that wages started moving sharply higher in 2018–just as America’s trade disputes heated up and tariffs were raised on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports.
Full article on Breitbart.

The UK steel, pharmaceutical and transport manufacturing industry are receiving a £30mn investment

Three new research and innovation hubs are set to support the British manufacturing sector amidst growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and open up new opportunities.

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the £30mn (US$39mn) investment will see the hubs connect with industry leaders, who will work alongside research teams to drive new, digitally led, sustainable innovations within steel production, bio-manufacturing, and electrical machinery.
Full article on Manufacturing global.

Manufacturing slump puts UK economy into reverse as Brexit looms

The latest monthly figures revealed that manufacturing output tumbled into recession territory with the sixth consecutive month of falling output. This marked the longest negative run since September 2008 to February 2009, the depths of the financial crisis.

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product contracted by 0.4% from the previous month, fuelled by a fall in spending on the high street over the key festive shopping period.
Full article on The Guardian.

Sustainable electronics manufacturing breakthrough

Simon Fraser University and Swiss researchers are developing an eco-friendly, 3D printable solution for producing wireless Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors that can be used and disposed of without contaminating the environment. 
Full article on ScienceDaily.

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