Florida Manufacturer’s Meet

National Association of Manufacturers

Yesterday I had the pleasure to speak to the annual meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF), meeting in Orlando. While it was nice to fly down to a warm, sunny destination like that, this blogger was there for about 6 hours and then came back to the office. That's a commute my grandparents wouldn't believe if they were still around, and it's been made possible by rising ecnomic growth in this country and the advanced technology manufactured products such as today's airplanes that make such travel easy and relatively affordable. Some of the parts on the plane I flew were probably even made in Florida.

Full Article: http://blog.nam.org/archives/2006/12/florida_manufac.php

NAM calls on House to pass OCS Bill

Kat Snodgrass and Keith McCoy,
National Association of Manufacturers

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) urged the U.S. House of Representatives today to complete much-needed legislation expanding access to domestic energy supply in portions of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).   

Full Article: http://www.nam.org/s_nam/doc1.asp?CID=14&DID=237963

U.S Manufacturers Getting Desperate for Skilled People

Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA today

Michael Bunner has done everything he can think of to hire workers.He's increased pay, offered training and recently, hired a man straight out of prison.

Full Article: Here

Eagle Roofing Products To Complete New Manufacturing Plant

Eagle Roofing Products Florida LLC

Orlando, FL - Eagle Roofing Products Florida LLC (“Eagle”), a subsidiary of Burlingame Industries, has announced that it will soon complete construction of its new Sumterville, Fla. concrete roof tile manufacturing facility in central Florida. The new plant will support the continued strong demand for concrete tile roofs in the Southeast and nationwide, according to Eagle

Full Article:  Here

US Manufacturers to open 129 plants in 1st quarter of ‘07

Industrial Info Resources

2006 was a good year for the United States manufacturing industry, not only in capital and maintenance project activity, but also in terms of the number of new plants that opened their doors during the year. As we near the end of the year, 300 plants will have become operational representing more than 46,600 new jobs in the U.S. A sneak peak ahead at the first quarter of 2007 shows that the manufacturing industry is currently expecting an additional 129 plants to become operational during that quarter alone, 43 percent of 2006’s year-end totals. This also represents an additional 25,000 new jobs within the industry. At this pace, the manufacturing industry will come close to eclipsing 2006’s totals by mid-year and nearly double them by the end of 2007.

Full Article: Here

Nurturing an industry

Ferdie de Vega, Tallahassee.com

In the shadow of the higher-profile work forces in government and education in the Tallahassee area, another industry - manufacturing - has steadily grown during the past few years.

Full Article: Here

U.S Energy Reports 200% increase in weekly manufacturing

Yahoo Business

US Energy Initiatives Corporation (OTC BB:USEI.OB - News) ("USEI") ("US Energy" or the "Company"), an ISO9001 Certified manufacturer of a patent dual-fuel diesel to natural gas technology, today announced the Company's subsidiary Automated Engineering Corporation (AEC) has shown a 200% increase in average weekly shipments. AEC is an ISO9001 Certified electronic manufacturing company acquired by USEI during June 2006 to support the Company's dual-fuel diesel to natural gas technology.

 Full Article: http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/061212/0194216.html

County OKs leases for two businesses relocating to Immokalee

bonitanew.com

Collier County commissioners today approved long-term leases for two companies planning to locate at the Florida Tradeport.
The companies are C-Tech Manufacturing Florida LLC and Salazar Machine & Steel Inc. Together the companies would create more than 200 jobs in Immokalee.

Full Article:  Here

MDC to house workforce Florida financial services center

South Florida Business Journal

Workforce Florida is to launch a statewide initiative aimed at improving the quality and availability of basic skills training for entry-level financial services workers and advanced training for experienced employees at Miami Dade College.

Full Article:  Here

USF, UF, and UCF to Establish Centers of Excellence

Inside Florida’s High Tech Corridor (December Issue)

The Florida Board of Governors awarded grants to the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF), and the University of Florida (UF) to establish Centers of Excellence in emerging technology sectors. The Corridor’s three universities were among six recipients to share $30 million in funding.

Full Article:  http://www.flbog.org

UF dedicates biotechnology facility in Alachua’s Progress Corporate Park

Inside Florida’s High Tech Corridor (December Issue)

The University of Florida has dedicated a new 46,000-square-foot facility that will be the home of the Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology’s (CERHB).

Full Article: http://news.ufl.edu/2006/11/22/biologix

Managing Automation Announces call for entries for expanded progressive manufacturing awards

Market Wire

Managing Automation, a Thomas Publishing Company, LLC, publication, announced today that it is accepting nominations for its third annual Progressive Manufacturing awards program, which has been significantly expanded to reflect the extensive push by the manufacturing industry to improved its competitiveness and capitalize on growth opportunities.

Full Article: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=194709

Commercial Casework triples space in new location

Business Journal of Jacksonville

A manufacturer of commercial-grade laminated cabinetry has acquired a new facility for its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations. Commercial Casework Inc. paid $3.5 million for a 122,000-square-foot building on Youngerman Circle in Orange Park that used to be the Maidenform building.
Full Article: Here

It’s a long road to Citrus county

SP Times

The sprawling 5,000-acre site north of Crystal River where Progress Energy's nuclear plant and four coal-fired plants sit is familiar territory for Dixie Hollins.

Full Article Here

Machines Spark interest in manufacturing

Bradenton Herald

As part of a program to raise interest in manufacturing, 22 Lakewood Ranch High students recently visited New England Machinery to expand their knowledge of a local industry.

Full Article:  Here

Florida Manufacturers Get Ready for the future

National Association of Manufacturers

When I spoke to the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) a few weeks ago, I met some executives from SAMA--the Sarasota Manatee Area Manufacturers Association. Like MAF and other associations in Florida, they are gearing up to make sure the Sunshine State has the kind of workforce that will attract new investment and help keep current manufacturers in the state.

Full Article: http://blog.nam.org/archives/2006/12/wow_this_was_a.php

For a Lean Mean Machine

Orlando Sentinel

A breakfast seminar emphasizing "lean" manufacturing is set for Jan. 17 at Lake-Sumter Community College. Attendees will learn techniques to gain a competitive edge as well as how to open new markets and improve profits.

Full Article:  Here

New jobs in the pipeline

Floridatoday.com

The Coastal Mechanical Services metal-piping empire continues to manufacture new jobs.  The Melbourne-based ductwork contractor has ballooned since its 1986 inception from "a tiny little sheet metal shop" to the largest firm of its kind in Florida, Chief Financial Officer Kim Brown said. The corporation employs 194 workers in Melbourne and 324 workers across the state.

Full Article:  Here

50 Middle-school manufacturing sites to open in 2007

Manufacturing.net

More middle-school students in the U.S. will learn more about careers in math, science and technology when the Science, Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Academies expands from five sites, which started as a pilot program in 2006, to 50 sites in 2007.

Full Article: http://manufacturing.net/article/CA6403102.html

Brandon takes center stage for manufacturing program

Jane Meinhardt, Tampa Bay Biz Journal

Much of the focus of Tampa Bay area manufacturers in 2006 was on programs designed to provide qualified, educated employees. This year, Workforce Florida provided a $500,000 grant to a consortium of community colleges for the establishment of the Employ Florida Banner Center for Manufacturing. Based at Hillsborough Community College's Brandon campus, the center's goal is to create curricula focused on preparing students and employees for the new national certification in manufacturing.

Full Article:  Here