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+16 +1
Smartphone Maker HTC Explores Strategic Options
HTC Corp., the beleaguered manufacturer that once ranked among the world’s top smartphone makers, is exploring options that could range from separating its virtual-reality business to a full sale of the company, according to people familiar with the matter. The Taiwanese firm is working with an adviser as it considers bringing in a strategic investor, selling its Vive virtual reality headset business or spinning off the unit, the people said.
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+13 +1
US factory activity surges last month to highest since 2004
U.S. factory activity rose to the highest level in 13 years last month as hurricanes disrupted supplies but drove up demand for manufactured goods. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said its September manufacturing index rose to 60.8 from 58.8 in August, the highest reading since May 2004. Anything above 50 signals that manufacturers are growing, and the ISM survey shows they’ve been on a 13-month winning streak.
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+15 +1
Some Famously Efficient Japanese Manufacturers Are Now Lying to Compete
Japanese manufacturers were once held in awe for their mastery of flexible manufacturing and a continuous improvement mantra that revolutionized business practices the world over. Even now, for example, Fanuc remains the preeminent maker of sophisticated robots, sought by manufacturers from China to the U.S. But an increasing number of companies in China, South Korea, and elsewhere have found success emulating—and often besting—Japan’s long-established enterprises, forcing them to scramble.
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+12 +1
Japan logs longest phase of growth in 16 years
Gross domestic product of the world's third-largest economy has grown in yet another quarter, making it the longest period of economic expansion in more than 16 years. But private consumption is losing steam.
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+13 +1
The Deaths That Come When an Industry's Left to Regulate Itself
The Consumer Product Safety Commission tried for 16 years to make portable electric generators less dangerous. Then a Trump-selected official took charge of the agency.
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+13 +1
Inside One of America’s Last Pencil Factories
A photographer captures a colorful world of craft and complexity.
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+7 +1
Why Made in China 2025 is at the centre of US trade tensions
Policy documents don't usually attract this much attention, but China's hi-tech manufacturing plan could have a dramatic effect on global trade. Made in China 2025 is a 10-year industrial development plan, but businesses and governments around the world are concerned it will have a dramatic effect on global trade. Chinese state media has even accused the United States of trying to provoke a trade war in order to undermine the policy. Ambitious, long-term policy documents don't always attract this much attention, so let's have a look at why this one is different.
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+1 +1
Meeting CGMP Standards in Warehouses
Out of all the standards and measurements warehouses should meet, CGMP is one of the newest—and potentially most perplexing for managers.
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+8 +1
Donald Trump’s new tariffs are disastrous for synthesizer manufacturers
It’s easy to overlook Donald Trump’s new tariffs amidst the caterwauling din that is our 24-hour news cycle, but Harley Davidson isn’t the only business to be impacted by the president’s tax battles. Moog Music, the company behind the iconic Moog synthesizer, may also have to take its business overseas, resulting in massive layoffs. Moog sent out an e-mail to customers this warning customers that an impending 25% import tax on Chinese circuit boards and associated components will “immediately and drastically increase the cost of building our instruments...
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+17 +1
Analysts say we are headed for a flash memory price crash
Why it matters: If analysts are correct, we could be seeing very significant price drops in SSD and perhaps even DRAM it 2019. The industry is currently facing a very large surplus of NAND flash memory. They say to expect a price correction over the next several quarters.
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+16 +1
US manufacturing at highest level in more than 14 years
The latest reading on America’s manufacturing activity has provided yet another piece of evidence that the U.S. economy is firing on all cylinders. In August, economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector hit its highest level since May 2004, according to the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). The ISM’s August manufacturing index was 61.3, above the 57.7 economists were expecting, and also above July’s 58.1 reading.
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+16 +1
45 Out of 50 Electronics Companies Illegally Void Warranties After Independent Repair, Sting Operation Finds
When you buy a game console, smartphone, dryer, vacuum cleaner, or any number of other complicated electronics, there’s usually a sticker or a piece of paperwork telling you that trying to repair the device yourself will void your warranty. That’s illegal under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Companies offering a warranty on their goods aren’t allowed to void that warranty if the user attempts to repair it themself, but that doesn’t stop the company from scaring customers into thinking it’s true.
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+25 +1
It's Repair Day: No One Should Be Punished for "Contempt of Business Model"
Repair is one of the secret keys to a better life. Repairs keep our gadgets in use longer (saving our pocketbooks) and divert e-waste from landfills or toxic recycling processes (saving our planet). Repair is an engine of community prosperity: when you get your phone screen fixed at your corner repair shop, your money goes to a locally owned small business (my daughter and the phone screen guy's daughter go to the same school and he always tut-tuts over the state of my chipped and dented phone at parent-teacher nights).
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+11 +1
Sustainable clothing startup For Days raises $2.8M for its closed-loop manufacturing process
For Days, a clothing startup that wants to reduce the enormous amount of textile waste created annually, announced today that it has raised $2.8 million in seed funding. The round was led by Rosecliff Ventures joined by Collaborative Fund, with participation from Congruent Ventures, Third Prime Capital, Closed Loop Ventures, Bleu Capital, Gramercy Fund, and Ride Ventures. For Days makes its clothing with a closed-loop manufacturing and recycling process...
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+19 +1
Apple confirms some iPad Pros ship slightly bent, but says it’s normal
Apple’s newest iPad Pro might have a small bend out of the box.
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+15 +1
Apple's Dan Riccio Says 2018 iPad Pro 'Meets or Exceeds' Quality Standards of Design and Precision, More Info to Come
Earlier this week, Apple told The Verge that some 2018 iPad Pro models are shipping with a slight bend in the aluminum chassis, which is a side effect of the manufacturing process that is not expected to worsen over time or negatively impact the iPad's performance. Many MacRumors readers were concerned about Apple's position that a noticeable bend is not a manufacturing issue, prompting MacRumors reader Craig to send an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook to express his concerns.
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+16 +1
Why is Pollution from U.S. Manufacturing Declining?
In the 1960s, there were worries that U.S. economic growth would lead to increasingly dangerous levels of pollution, and that by the year 2000, air pollution would make cities like Los Angeles and New York uninhabitable. Instead, U.S. air quality has improved dramatically since then. Between 1990 and 2008, emissions of the most common air pollutants from U.S. manufacturing fell by about two-thirds, even as real output from U.S. manufacturing grew substantially (see Figure 1).
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+18 +1
How 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing
New techniques and abilities are putting 3D printing on the map for many manufacturers. It is reshaping a whole new method of product creation.
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+21 +1
Want to fix your tractor? Tough luck, say some manufacturers
Australian proponents of the 'right to repair' movement say the environment, consumers and small business are suffering without regulation. An Australian environmental charity has celebrated Clean Up Australia Day weekend by opening a new facility to help members of the public repair electronics. The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre is a Sydney-based not-for-profit, which provides facilities and guidance for people to fix, rather than discard, goods.
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+14 +1
California Becomes 20th State to Introduce Right to Repair This Year
Right to Repair is knocking on Silicon Valley’s door again. California just introduced Right to Repair legislation, making it the 20th state to propose legislation in 2019 and the second year in a row Right to Repair has been considered in California. Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) introduced Assembly Bill 1163 to revitalize California’s repair economy.
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