Cummins saw stiff drop in sales, profit in 2020, but exceeded market expectations
The Indiana-based manufacturer said sales in North America declined 21% last year, but its sales in China reached record levels, up 25% from the previous year.
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Carmel distiller turns hand sanitizer pivot into a community fundraising platform
Eric Stam, co-founder and CEO of the Carmel-based Crossroads Distillery, started diversifying his alcohol production facility’s operations in April to launch a cleaning solution fundraising business earlier this week.
U.S. factories showed growth in January, but at slower pace
The Institute for Supply Management’s survey of businesses showed that 16 of 18 manufacturing industries showed growth in January. The contracting industries were printing and petroleum.
Steel door manufacturer to open Indianapolis plant
De La Fontaine Industries announced Wednesday that it plans to open a plant in Indianapolis that will employ up to 20 workers by the end of 2023.
U.S. manufacturing activity ended 2020 on a strong note
The ISM manufacturing index stood at 60.7 in December, up from 57.5 in November and 47.8 in December 2019. A number above 50 indicates growth in the manufacturing sector, while a number below 50 indicates contraction.
Purdue to launch smart manufacturing degree
Purdue University is partnering with numerous industry and government partners to develop what the university says will be the first-of-its-kind “smart manufacturing” undergraduate degree program.
Hillenbrand sells Red Valve, Abel
As part of an effort to become more streamlined and reduce its debt, Batesville-based Hillenbrand Inc. is in the midst of multiple divestitures.
U.S. industrial production jumps 1.6%
U.S. industry operated at 74.5% of capacity in December, still below the pre-pandemic rate of 76.9% in February.
GM charges up new unit to sell electric delivery vans, gear
The first product for the new venture called BrightDrop will be an electric-powered wheeled pallet that will take goods from the warehouse to trucks and from trucks to destinations. Then GM will roll out a clean electric delivery van.
Local manufacturer Hurco suffers first full-year loss since 2010
CEO Michael Doar said the company was encouraged by “growing demand we saw in certain markets in the second half of the fiscal year, particularly in Europe and Asia.”
U.S. factories grew in December at fastest pace since mid-2018
The U.S. economy collapsed from April through June but since that time manufacturing has posted solid gains, while the services sector, which includes restaurants, bars and the travel industry, has been harder hit.
U.S. plants hope to maintain production despite virus threat
Safeguards manufacturers put in place to try to protect workers have helped plants nearly keep up with last year’s production levels. But with the virus spiking in communities that surround the plants, industry and union officials say it may be impossible to keep the virus out of factories.
Carmel-based Delta Faucet to acquire New York-based maker of kitchen, bathroom fixtures
Like Delta, Kraus USA makes sinks, faucets and other accessories for kitchens and bathrooms. Delta also was attracted by Kraus’ strong online retail presence.
U.S. industrial production rises 0.4% with boost from auto sector
Production of motor vehicles and parts rose 5.3% in November, the biggest monthly increase since a 31% surge in July.
Indiana plant ramps up work on coolers for COVID-19 vaccines
Arizona-based Foam Fabricators has increased staffing by 20% at its New Albany plant to keep up with demand for the coolers that will be used for the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
Longtime Carmel-based Allegion executive shifting to new role
Allegion executive Tim Eckersley, who has led the company’s Americas division since 2013, will shift to lead the company’s operations in other parts of the world.
U.S. trade policies likely to soften after Biden becomes president
The incoming administration is widely expected to embrace a more multinational approach to U.S. trade policy, moving away from the “America first” strategy embraced by President Trump.
Memory Bank: Building drums in Indianapolis in 1910
Leedy Manufacturing Co. in 1910 built a three-story building at the corner of Palmer Street and Barth Avenue, later expanding it to more than 51,000 square feet, to build drums.
COVID demand spurs wipe-maker to further expand huge Mooresville operation
Orangeburg, New York-based Nice-Pak said it will add 90 more jobs than originally planned and increase the size of a new facility to 1.2 million square feet. The $165 million project is slated to open in 2022.
Cummins investing in hydrogen power, although path to profitability uncertain
The Columbus-based manufacturer is bullish on hydrogen’s possibilities to power everything from buses, trains and trucks to industrial equipment.