HARRISBURG, PA—Americans say they love U.S.-made goods. They are less enthusiastic, however, about paying a premium for them. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found 70 percent of Americans think it is “very important” or “somewhat important” to buy U.S.-made products. Despite that sentiment, 37 percent said they would refuse to pay more for U.S.-made goods vs. imports. Twenty six percent said they would only pay up to 5 percent more to buy American, and 21 percent capped the premium at 10 percent.
DAGENHAM, UK—Ford Motor Co.’s engine assembly plant here is a surprising haven for 50 species of birds, protected voles, and a rare ladybug. Employees from the plant help to maintain and improve the habitat surround the factory by keeping waterways clear, restocking fish supplies, and planting more than 10,500 trees over the past 20 years.
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—A practice designed to boost production at Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner factories in North Charleston, SC, and Everett, WA, has been so successful that it’s spreading to the aerospace giant’s other divisions. Called “champion times,” the practice measures the amount of time it takes Boeing workers to complete tasks at each stage of a Dreamliner’s assembly. The lowest total after all of the hours worked have been tallied is considered a champion time.
PORTLAND, TN—Automotive supplier U.S. Tsubaki Automotive will spend approximately $35.8 million over the next five years to expand its assembly plant here. The project is expected to create 70 new jobs.
CHICAGO—Ford Motor Co. has agreed to pay up to $10.1 million to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment at its Chicago assembly plant in Hegewisch and its Chicago stamping plant in Chicago Heights.
EAST LANSING, MI—Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new adhesive that will enable manufacturers to join multiple materials. The adhesive adapts to different surface properties, works at different material temperatures, and allows bonded parts to be separated for recycling.
WASHINGTON--A slump in motor vehicle production pushed down U.S. factory output unexpectedly in July, the Federal Reserve said last week. According to the Fed, automobile production fell 3.6 percent in July, the fourth decline in the last five months.
SEOUL--Representatives from South Korea and the United States will sit down at the negotiating table this week here to discuss possible amendments to the free trade agreement between the two countries.
BAODING, CHINA--Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Co. said on Monday that it was interested in buying the Jeep brand. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Italian-controlled company that owns Jeep, said it had not heard from Great Wall, however, suggesting that considerable ground would have to be covered before a deal could be reached.
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