8/17/2020 - Over the last several months, manufacturers across the U.S. have come together during this pandemic to serve our nation by retooling their production lines to make medical supplies that our doctors, nurses, and other essential workers need to respond to the ongoing health crisis. They are also planning for the rapid production of COVID-19 tests and vaccines. Read the full article from theoaklandpress.com.
7/29/2020 - Most forecasts for manufacturing were still generally optimistic at the end of 2019. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) was reporting robust projections from small- to medium-sized companies with sales growth of 2.6 percent. Statistics from the federal government’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, however, pointed to a slowdown in the rate of growth for manufacturing output and capacity, signaling the possibility of a looming recession.By March, all of those predictions were useless because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stock market took a plunge as many states instituted stay-at-home orders and some sectors of the economy effectively shut down. One key difference in this economic slowdown was that manufacturing remained relatively strong; traditionally this sector would lead the way with layoffs and closures. There are two notable areas where the manufacturing industry demonstrated leadership during this pandemic. Read the full article from record-eagle.com.
6/30/2020 - Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced that the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) will receive a $2,118,000 federal grant to help small and medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article from the stevens.house.gov.
6/26/2020 - In late May 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago collaborated with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center to conduct a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses affiliated with either of these two organizations. The survey was based on the methodology of the broader Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions and asked questions about the impact of the outbreak so far and expectations for the coming months. Read the full article from chicagofed.org.
6/22/2020 - Since the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) hosts a large number of training classes throughout the year, The Center wanted its guests to feel comfortable about visiting. Read the full article from corpmagazine.com.
5/18/2020 - Most early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, data analytics, digital twins and other advanced technology have been large companies, such as automotive OEMs and their suppliers. But, that doesn’t mean the concepts and tools are out of reach for small shops. The challenges are just more pronounced. Read the full article from assemblymag.com.
5/12/2020 - Monday is a big day for Michigan manufacturers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is allowing production to resume at plants across the state. Reviving the manufacturing sector is a critical step in re-opening Michigan's economy, since it accounts for roughly 19% of the state's economy. Most plants have been completely, or partially, shut down since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article www.wzzm13.com.
3/19/2020 - Two Traverse City companies are working together to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing centers that would include the tent to house staff and the software that would facilitate testing and samples that would be sent to laboratories to determine if the person tested has coronavirus. Read the full article from mitechnews.com.
3/12/2020 - The last three decades have seen a paradigm shift in the responsibilities for third-party auditors, from a focus on compliance to organizational governance. Read the full article from www.theauditoronline.com.
3/9/2020 - Robert Lyscas and Charlie Westra have been promoted to COO and director of manufacturing services, respectively, at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in Plymouth. Lyscas served as vice president of manufacturing services for five years. Read the full article from dbusiness.com.