For the third consecutive month, production output at America’s factories, mines, and utilities has risen in September more than analysts expected. However, analysts have warned that industrial output may slow significantly once federal stimulus money has all been spent and industrial companies must once again rely on their own capital.
September’s increase came largely from increased production of auto vehicles and parts, which was in part due to the government’s Cash for Clunkers program and its impact on the demand for new vehicles. Steel and other industrial sectors also posted increases while General Electric posted growth in its industrial businesses in …read more

Two massive Houston-based energy corporations will become one when Enterprise Products Partners LP completes its acquisition of Teppco Partners LP for the sum of $3.3 billion. These two pipeline operators, both owned by billionaire Dan Duncan, will form the largest energy partnership in the United States.
 
The move has proven to be mutually beneficial. Teppco owners will receive 1.24 units of Enterprise stock for their Teppco units, which comes out to 9.3 percent more value than Teppco stocks alone. Enterprise will see earnings rise by next year and will be able to save about $20 million in costs.
 
All together, the conglomerated …read more

According to the energy giant itself, Valero Energy Corp. is preparing to post a 50 cent per share loss in the second quarter of this year. This information comes from a report in which Valero also confirmed that it is mulling over an offer of 40 million shares of common stock.
 
Although the economic situation has hardly been friendly to anyone, Valero has been hit especially hard. Two of its most important refineries have seen extended downtime while the entire oil industry has been having trouble with lower sour crude discounts and smaller margins on diesel.
 
All in all, Valero is capable …read more

These days, everyone’s talking about going green. Before b5media’s business channel became Bizzia, I actually wrote the green business blog, and there was definitely no shortage of news and ideas about being more environmentally friendly. I also write for Green Options media, so I’m no stranger to sustainable concepts.
And I try to be a green consumer. I use reusable shopping bags. I buy organic and certified products. I changed to CFL light bulbs. But am I a green freelancer?
Sadly, the answer is often “no,” and I’m trying to change that!
As a freelancer, you’re really running a small business. You …read more

Not only are the stars aligned, but public opinion, politicians, and the National Association of Manufacturers are in agreement, that nuclear needs to considered again. Manufacturing Business Technology (MBT) writes that the logic is inescapable: it is a reliable source of power that will create thousands of high paying jobs. We’ve shied away from nuclear because of the poor examples of Russian plants without cooling towers. Top scientists have been befuddled by public disdain for nuclear because it IS safe.
Speak up and support nuclear energy. Make it your personal project and seek to understand how supporting it relates to the …read more

Jim Lee’s economic analysis in APICS’ on-line newsletter (subscribe at www.apics.org) covers several myths. The first two are pretty straight forward. Myth number 3 takes a bit more brain power:
Myth #3: The stagflation of the 1970s will not be repeated because economies today are more immune to the effects of rising energy prices.
Jim does a pretty good analysis of why we experienced stagflation in the ’70s and why we might again. Bottom line is that we are more energy efficient than ever while at the same time we have been increasing our use through behavior like buying large SUVs. He …read more

Jim Lee’s great perspectives on our supposed economic woes are mythologized in APICS’ on-line newsletter (subscribe at www.apics.org). Myth number 2 of 3 is:
Myth #2: With soaring food and energy prices, the official numbers on inflation (around 4 percent) are grossly misleading.
He reveals that food and energy are 6% of typical household budgets so don’t get too bent out of shape. Rather, look at your housing expenses since they are 40 percent of budgets and have stayed flat. This inflation illusion is hyped by the media and ourselves. This isn’t saying that we shouldn’t be concerned- just that the sky is …read more

Jim Lee’s economic analyses in the APICS on-line newsletter are a breath of fresh air. I’ve written about his thoughts before because he strips the discussion down to the facts of the matter. His latest demystifies today’s economy by attacking several myths. Here’s the first:
Myth #1: The consensus is that the world economy is in a recession and that U.S. government officials are either cooking the books or simply in a state of denial.
He explains that low consumer confidence is largely unfounded. Gross domestic product (GDP) indicates growth on par with same quarter last year. He suggests watching GDP, business …read more

Go and see a hilarious spoof website at http://flyderrie-air.com/. Many are posting on this in our business channel. I’m surprised at the sensitivity, or insensitivity, to fat people. This is NOT about fat people. IT IS about the ridiculous lengths that governments and corporations are going to satisfy the ideas of “green”, “global warming”, “sustainability” and other mind-numbing approaches to protecting “the planet”.
THIS IS FUNNY and right on point!
What do you think? Is protecting the planet getting out of hand? Do you think offenders should be taxed? Do you think “derrie-air” is funny?
Don’t miss a post! Subscribe via RSS or …read more

According to Manufacturing Business Technology (MBT) opposing energy plans are in process and one is preferred by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Let’s see which one you think NAM favors- is it number 1 or number 2?
1. “includes actions….such as exploring for oil on the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.”
2. “would impose onerous taxes, mandates, and regulations.”
Of course, number 1 is preferred by NAM. Many would say, “oh yeah, big business wants to rape the environment”. We need to grow up and figure out that it is big business that supplies the jobs …read more