Factory orders showed solid gain before coronavirus reached U.S.
The Commerce Department said Wednesday durable goods orders rose 1.2% last month, rebounding from January when orders had shown a tiny 0.1% gain.
Manufacturing
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Automakers preparing to produce ventilators, respirators
General Motors—which hopes to make ventilators in Kokomo—and Ford Motor Co. are among automakers that are throwing their design and production prowess behind two other manufacturers’ efforts to build more ventilators and respirators for health care workers and first responders.
Indiana unemployment dipped to 3.1% in January
In a snapshot of the state’s workforce from January, private employment grew in the transportation, hospitality, education and health sectors while declining in manufacturing.
Companies are seeking to reduce their environmental impacts and increase sustainability
Increasingly, as the planet warms, pressure is building from environmentalists, investors, consumers and the general public for corporate America to do something about it.
Tom Easterday: Subaru’s zero-landfill effort is example of what’s possible
In addition to helping eliminate risks to your operations, being a good environmental steward has many other benefits to businesses large and small. Having a successful environmental stewardship program can boost employee morale, enhance a company’s brand image, promote creativity and innovation among employees, increase community awareness of environmental stewardship and generate cost savings.
Artificial sweetener might make users fatter, sicker, new study says
The study looked at the common artificial sweetener used in Splenda, which is owned and made by Carmel-based Heartland Food Products Group.
Anxiety grips companies around globe as virus spreads
Since breaking out of China, the coronavirus has had a chilling effect on companies related to manufacturing, travel and tourism, which then hampers other industries and weakens consumer confidence.
Calumet Specialty Products CEO set to leave company
Calumet CEO Tim Go, who has spearheaded turnaround efforts at the Indianapolis-based oil refiner and maker of specialty petroleum products, will leave his post at the end of May.
Former SerVaas Laboratories employee sentenced in $772K fraud case
The long-term employee was sentenced to 27 months in prison after she admitted to stealing from the Indianapolis-based company, which makes the famous Bar Keepers Friend line of cleaning products.
U.S. orders for durable goods slipped 0.2% in January
Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods were pulled down by decreased demand for cars, auto parts and military aircraft, but the category that tracks business investment rose significantly.
Best Chocolate in Town acquired, closes Mass Ave store
Longtime local candy company The Best Chocolate in Town has been acquired by Indianapolis-based Newfangled Confections, which is known for it popular signature Frittle candy.
China suspends more penalties on U.S. goods after trade truce
Goods affected by the latest reduction include industrial components and medical and factory equipment.
Allison Transmission’s 4Q performance beats analyst expectations
Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. on Wednesday reported lower fourth quarter revenue and earnings than a year ago, but the results beat Wall Street predictions.
Automakers in China gradually reopen after virus shutdown
Local officials have orders from the ruling Communist Party to get businesses functioning again while still enforcing anti-disease curbs that have shut down much of the world’s second-largest economy.
GM scrambles to shield U.S. plants from virus disruption
A United Auto Workers union member said the threat of parts shortages at GM facilities is growing, but the automaker doesn’t expect to have to pause production at plants in Indiana, Michigan and Texas, according to spokesman.
Real estate pros bullish on Diamond Chain site
The planned closing of the 102-year-old factory in the southwestern corner of downtown likely will throw into play a nearly 18-acre site that real estate experts say would be attractive for myriad uses.
Hoosier manufacturers prepping for NAFTA 2.0
The new agreement isn’t vastly different from NAFTA, observers say, but does contain new provisions automakers will be paying attention to—even if the impact of these provisions isn’t yet entirely clear.
Hamilton County key to hemp supply chain
Hemp-processing companies are investing millions of dollars into refineries across Hamilton County to close a gap in the state’s CBD supply chain.
Candy firm sues Jelly Belly over look-alike packaging
A Carmel-based company is suing the Jelly Belly Candy Co. because it says the jelly bean maker’s packaging is too similar to its own and could cause customer confusion.
Startup’s solution to back pain gaining traction with auto industry
Comfort Motion Global has five patents on a software-based system that uses algorithms to make periodic micro adjustments to automobile seats.