From manufacturing to space farming: Meet Baxter, the multi purpose robot July 24, 2014 Baxter was originally designed as an industrial robot for working alongside humans on factory floors, excelling at fast, repetitive manufacturing tasks. Each with its own pair of chunky robot arms connected to a computer brain, hundreds of Baxters are already busily working away in factories and packing stations across the US. First launched [...]
Asian stocks rise as Chinese manufacturing shows strongest growth since January 2013 July 24, 2014 Manufacturing data for China is looking rosy as factory activity shot up at the fastest pace in 18 months. According to a preliminary report by HSBC and Markit, which provides a flash measure of manufacturing, the purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 52 in July from 50.7 in June, beating a Reuter's poll forecast of [...]
Strong manufacturing survey allays fears over output slowdown July 22, 2014 While the headline reading of the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) manufacturing survey looks weak, analysts are convinced that it paints a glowing picture of the UK's manufacturing sector. After official estimates showed manufacturing output took a tumble in May, economy watchers have voiced concerns that the roaring expansion in the sector may be [...]
Shock fall: UK manufacturing production drops in May July 8, 2014 UK output looks to be taking a tumble, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Industrial and manufacturing production both dropped in May, down by 0.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively. The picture is a little confusing for economy watchers. The news follows survey data suggesting we'd see strong [...]
UK manufacturers’ optimism hit by rising costs July 7, 2014 Optimism among UK manufacturers dipped in June for the first time in 14 months, as challenging operating conditions threaten to slow confidence growth in the sector, according to a survey released today by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP. The BDO optimism sub-index for the manufacturing sector, which predicts growth expectations in six months’ time, [...]
Asian manufacturing firms bouncing back after spring slump July 1, 2014 Two of Asia’s largest manufacturing sectors indicated more robust growth in June, with businesses in both China and Japan reporting an improved expansion last month. Data from Nomura and JMMA suggest that Japan’s manufacturing firms are bouncing back from their decline around April’s sales tax hike, with a purchasing managers’ index (PMI) score of 51.5. [...]
Eurozone manufacturing sectors show slow growth July 1, 2014 The Eurozone’s industrial growth slowed for a second month in June, according to a series of business surveys which suggested the currency union was still expanding only at a weak pace. Markit’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released yesterday came in at just 51.8 in June, the lowest of 2014 so far. New business inflows [...]
UK manufacturing growth moves up a gear with job creation at 39-month high July 1, 2014 The UK's manufacturing sector is growing faster than we thought. The latest figures from Markit see June's headline purchasing managers' index (PMI) revised up from an initial reading of 57 to a final estimate of 57.5. Any number above 50 implies growth, and figures in the region we're seeing now suggest the sector is enjoying [...]
East Asian manufacturing firms signal return to growth in June June 23, 2014 Industrial companies in China and Japan reported that business expansion had restarted again this month, after periods of stagnation and contraction. HSBC’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the Chinese manufacturing sector registered a score of 50.8, above the mark that signals an expansion for the first time since the end of last year. [...]
China manufacturing sector shows first growth since December June 23, 2014 The Chinese manufacturing sector grew in June for the first time in six months, according to a report from HSBC/Markit. The growth drove up the price of commodities, with iron ore and copper futures among the risers. A rise in commodity prices is boosting the Australian mining sector, with shares in Rio Tinto, Fortesque Metals [...]