News

August 18, 2016

With IIoT and web technology software, the ability for organizations to install, configure and control manufacturing applications from a centralized location is finally a reality.

As manufacturers continue incorporating IoT into their businesses, they are realizing business value by integrating data from enterprise functions – such as product design, supply chain and customer management – with plant-floor production.

July 20, 2016

In June 2016, energy prices increased by 5.1%, and the prices of non-energy commodities rose by 2.1%. Food prices picked up by 4.1%. Beverages increased by 2.8%. Raw materials went down by 0.7%, and fertilizers dropped by 2.2%. Metals and minerals went up by 0.3%, and precious metals rose by 1.2%.

July 19, 2016

Global car exports by country were valued at US$672.9 billion for 2015. Cars represent the world’s number two export product, trailing only crude oil. The $672.9 billion in total international car exports for 2015 represents a 5.5% improvement from 2011 but a -5.2% cutback compared to the $709.7 billion spent during 2014.

July 18, 2016

A little-known startup in China is gunning to be the first to sell bendable smartphones this year, seeking to upstage Samsung Electronics Co., which has started to dabble in flexible-screen technology.

June 17, 2016

When Henry Ford introduced the assembly line, manufacturing took a major leap forward. Productivity advanced in ways never before possible. It took 50 years for the next breakthrough to hit the factory floor, when Unimate came on line at GM. We’re seeing another breakthrough now as robots evolve to be more than simply machines that can lift heavy objects and perform repetitive tasks over and over and over again. 

June 16, 2016

In May 2016, energy prices increased by 10.8%, and the prices of non-energy commodities rose by 1.5%. Food prices picked up by 4.6%. Beverages increased by 1.3%. Raw materials went up by 0.6%, and fertilizers dropped by 0.7%. Metals and minerals declined by 3.3%, and precious metals rose by 1.9%.

June 15, 2016

 

Oil is the world’s number 1 export product. Amounting to 4.8% of the global value of all export products, crude oil shipments totaled US$786.3 billion for 2015.

That figure represents a -50.3% drop in value since 2011 and a -44.4% decline from 2014 to 2015.