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Tin Gains to Highest Level Since Lehman Failure in 2008...
Posted on 7/27/2010
Toyota Settles Patent Dispute with Hybrid Technology Maker Paice...
Posted on 7/20/2010
China Is Number 1... at Consuming Energy...
Posted on 7/20/2010
GM Seeks $5B Credit Line for Slowdown, to Repay Debt...
Posted on 7/7/2010
Unemployment Report Indicates Sluggish Economic Recovery...
Posted on 7/7/2010

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Tin Gains to Highest Level Since Lehman Failure in 2008
Tin, the best performing industrial metal this year, climbed to the highest level since the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in September 2008 as shrinking inventories signaled steady demand.
China Is Number 1... at Consuming Energy
BEIJING (AFP) – China on Tuesday rejected an assessment from the International Energy Agency that it had surpassed the United States to become the world's top energy consumer, calling the data "unreliable". The Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal cited a top IEA official as saying the Asian giant had taken over the top spot in 2009, earlier than expected.
Toyota Settles Patent Dispute with Hybrid Technology Maker Paice
NEW YORK (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it has settled a years-long dispute with a U.S. company that had claimed the Japanese automaker used its technology without permission in its hybrids. The deal ends a squabble that had briefly threatened to block the Prius from being sold in the U.S.
Unemployment Report Indicates Sluggish Economic Recovery
The loss of 125,000 jobs in June led broadcast network newscasts Friday evening, and gets significant and universally negative coverage on the wires and in this morning's newspapers. The CBS Evening News (7/2, lead story, 3:40, Pelley) called it "troubling news about jobs and the impact that's having on our economic recovery."
GM Seeks $5B Credit Line for Slowdown, to Repay Debt
General Motors is seeking a line of credit of at least $5 billion from banks to enable it to repay debt and prepare for another decline in U.S. auto sales, said a person familiar with the talks.
Copper on the Rebound as US Manufacturing Expands
Copper prices rose for the first time in three days after a report showed that U.S. manufacturing expanded for a ninth straight month, easing concern that the global economic recovery is faltering.
As Chinese Wages Rise, Automation Is Replacing Workers
New minimum wage laws, a looser yuan and worker strikes like those affecting Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. are raising costs at plants in China’s Pearl River Delta, leading to increased automation of assembly lines.
What's happening with Copper?
Latest trends in copper alloys -- the most often used metal for electronic connectors.
US Manufacturers at a global disadvantage due to increasing costs of taxes, health care, & pensions.
United State's economic future relies on manufacting. A new handbook by The Manufacturing Institute, MAPI, & the US Department of Commerce outlines the challenges faced by precision metal stampers and other manufacturers.
Copper Supply Shortage Seen Looming
A UK trade publication is reporting a copper supply shortage in 2010 and beyond. This will impact all products that use copper based components such as connectors and terminals. See Matt Vincent's Blog for details.
Die-Tech's CEO Featured on MANTEC Website
Mantec features Die-Tech in their Success Gallery
Die-Tech Wins Small Business Energy Grant
Die-Tech, a precision metal stamper, is the only recipient of a Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant in York County.
Time to Upgrade? Richard W. Dennis, President of Die-Tech, Inc., voices his opinions
When is it time to upgrade manufacturing equipment? Rich Dennis is interviewed for an article in Central Penn Business Journal
Die-Tech featured in the KeystoneEdge
Die-Tech hosts acting Environmental Protection Secretary John Hangar to annouce Pennsylvania's new grant program for small businesses.
PA State Energy Efficiency Grant Program Announced during media event at Die-Tech
Die-Tech hosted the announcement of a new grant program sponsored by the State of Pennsylvania
Die-Tech's Engineering Hotline gaining attention from the professionals in the metal forming industry
Tech Boosts Value of Trained Workers
Terminal Leadframes for the Automotive Industry
New product launch from Die-Tech
Metalforming Magazine Features Our Engineering Hotline
Read more about our hotline in the September issue of Metalforming
Precision Metal Stamping Manufacturer Trains and Retains Workforce
Die-Tech meets the challenge of a limited workforce by training employees internally, and externally with the assistance of MANTEC.
Hotline for Stamping Design Engineers Just a Phone Call Away
Die-Tech and the Manufacturing Extention Partnership
Die-Tech increases production efficiency with Lean training from MANTEC
A Spotlight on Success
Die-Tech Interviewed Concerning Websites for Manufacturers
Richard W. Dennis, President of Die-Tech, is interviewed concerning the importance of having a great website
Manufacturing Technology Internship Program

Tin Gains to Highest Level Since Lehman Failure in 2008

Tin, the best performing industrial metal this year, climbed to the highest level since the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in September 2008 as shrinking inventories signaled steady demand.

The metal for three-month delivery advanced as much as 2.1 percent to $19,800 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, and traded at $19,500 at 1 p.m. in Shanghai. That’s the highest intraday price since Sept. 3, 2008, before Lehman’s failure triggered a credit-market seizure and global recession.

LME inventories of the metal used in packaging, solder and cans have shrunk 43 percent this year to 15,370 tons, the lowest level since June 2009. A rally in equity markets, declines in the dollar and optimism that the economic recovery remains intact helped an index of London-traded metals to post the biggest weekly gain since February last week.

“The contractions in stockpiles underline improving demand against supply,” Ran Jun, an analyst at researcher Beijing Antaike Information Development Co., said today. Demand for tin products and electronics has recovered a lot from western countries this year, Ran said.

Exports of tin from Indonesia, the world’s largest producer, dropped 16 percent this year through May compared with the same period last year, Barclays Capital said on July 13. Outbound shipments fell 25.7 percent in June from a year ago, according to Indonesia’s trade ministry.

China Is Number 1... at Consuming Energy

BEIJING (AFP) – China on Tuesday rejected an assessment from the International Energy Agency that it had surpassed the United States to become the world's top energy consumer, calling the data "unreliable".

The Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal cited a top IEA official as saying the Asian giant had taken over the top spot in 2009, earlier than expected.

According to the IEA, China consumed 2.252 billion tons of oil equivalent of energy in 2009, from sources that included coal, nuclear power, natural gas and hydroelectric power -- about four percent more than the United States.

But an official with China's National Energy Administration told reporters the report was flawed.

Toyota Settles Patent Dispute with Hybrid Technology Maker Paice

NEW YORK (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it has settled a years-long dispute with a U.S. company that had claimed the Japanese automaker used its technology without permission in its hybrids. The deal ends a squabble that had briefly threatened to block the Prius from being sold in the U.S.

Toyota and Paice LLC said they have settled their patent dispute and agreed to have all lawsuits between them dismissed. The terms were confidential, the companies said. No financial details were disclosed.

"After six years of litigation, we are pleased to reach a settlement with Toyota," said Frances Keenan, chairman of the Paice board, in a statement.

Unemployment Report Indicates Sluggish Economic Recovery

The loss of 125,000 jobs in June led broadcast network newscasts Friday evening, and gets significant and universally negative coverage on the wires and in this morning's newspapers. The CBS Evening News (7/2, lead story, 3:40, Pelley) called it "troubling news about jobs and the impact that's having on our economic recovery."

Though the unemployment rate "actually dropped from 9.7 percent to 9.5 percent," that is "partly because the labor force shrank by more than 650,000 people and when people stop looking for work, the government drops them from its unemployment count." CBS (Mason) said the numbers "suggest that the recovery, which only a few months ago appeared to be picking up speed, now seems to be sputtering."

The AP (7/3, Aversa, Rugaber) reports the private sector "added just 83,000 jobs for the month. Looked at from that angle or almost any other, from a teetering housing market to falling factory orders, the recovery is limping along as it enters the year's second half. And that is when the benefits of most of the government's stimulus spending will begin to wear off."

The loss "reflected the end of 225,000 temporary jobs" with the US Census Bureau. AFP (7/3, Beatty) says the White House "has warned that unemployment will remain high for the rest of the year, while polls show it is a crucial issue with voters."

McClatchy (7/3, Hall) reports, "Friday's mixed jobs report from the Labor Department was the latest in a series of signs that the US economy remains locked in a frustrating cycle of crippled growth that's better than the recent recession but not strong enough to boost employment much."

The Financial Times (7/3, Politi, subscription required) added that one of the few positives that can be gleaned from the report is that the unemployment rate declined from 9.7% in May to 9.5% in June, the lowest level since July 2009. Still, this decline is a result of the job market shrinking, meaning that more Americans remain waiting for the recession to get better.

Bloomberg News (7/3, Homan, Matthews) reports economists were predicting a 9.8 percent unemployment rate.

GM Seeks $5B Credit Line for Slowdown, to Repay Debt

General Motors is seeking a line of credit of at least $5 billion from banks to enable it to repay debt and prepare for another decline in U.S. auto sales, said a person familiar with the talks.

GM had $23.3 billion of cash and about $14 billion of debt as of March 31, according to its first-quarter financial report. Although the automaker repaid the final $5.8 billion of government loans in April, the federal government still owns a 61% stake. A public stock offering, expected to begin later this year, would enable the government to sell at least some of its shares in GM.

GM's U.S. sales have risen 14% in the first half of this year from a year earlier. Its market share fell to 19.2% from 19.6%, despite shedding four brands -- Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn. In the first quarter, GM earned an $865-million profit.

The automaker is restructuring unprofitable European operations, but growing in China, Russia, India and Brazil, where most of the auto industry's growth is to occur in the next decade. GM sold more cars in China in the first half of 2010 (1.21 million) than in the U.S. (1.08 million).

It also has given stock valued at $6.66 million to 14 top managers, including $1.33 million worth to Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Seeking a new line of credit can prepare GM to operate without government assistance.

Copper on the Rebound as US Manufacturing Expands

Bloomberg

Copper prices rose for the first time in three days after a report showed that U.S. manufacturing expanded for a ninth straight month, easing concern that the global economic recovery is faltering.

The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago Inc. said today its business barometer in June stood at 59.1. Figures greater than 50 signal growth. Commodity and equity market rallied after the report. This quarter, the metal fell 17 percent, the first drop since the end of 2008.

“Copper will be incredibly volatile in the coming months,” Spencer Patton, the chief investment officer of Steel Vine Investments in Chicago, said in an e-mail. “Global growth will be self-sustaining, but slower.”

Copper futures for September delivery rose 2 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $2.9505 a pound on the Comex in New York.

Earlier, futures fell as much as 2 percent. A report today showed that U.S. private-sector employers added fewer jobs than forecast. China’s benchmark stock index fell to a 14-month low on mounting concern that the nation’s expansion is easing. China and the U.S. are the world’s top metal buyers.

In June, copper declined 5 percent. Futures are down 12 percent this year.

“Copper’s drop is indicative of a significant downshift coming in the back half of this year for industrial growth,” said James Dailey, who manages $145 million at TEAM Financial Asset Management LLC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The price may fall to as low as $2.30 a pound by the end of the year, Dailey said.

Copper for delivery in three months rose $21, or 0.3 percent, to $6,515 a metric ton ($2.96 a pound) on the London Metal Exchange.

Aluminum, zinc, lead and nickel also climbed on the LME. Tin dropped.

As Chinese Wages Rise, Automation Is Replacing Workers

Bloomberg News (6/21, Lee) reported, "New minimum wage laws, a looser yuan and worker strikes like those at Honda Motor Co. are raising costs at factories in China's Pearl River Delta, prompting companies to increase automation of assembly lines." Manufacturers such as "Foxconn Technology Group, Nissan Motor Co.'s Chinese venture and VTech Holdings Ltd. said they are investing in factory equipment to reduce their reliance on labor.

Wages in the region called the world's factory floor increased 17 percent in the past six months," data indicate. An official with INFACT Global Partners said, "Factories need to think seriously about how they produce more with less," and "need to begin to enhance their productivity so that they are in a position to remain competitive."

To read the complete article click here.

What's happening with Copper?

Copper prices have soared 90% in 2009! This has impact on almost any device that uses electricity since most electrical contacts, connectors, pins, and leadframes are made using copper alloys. But reports indicate that prices are on their way down for 2010...

US Manufacturers at a global disadvantage due to increasing costs of taxes, health care, & pensions.

Manufacturers, including precision metal stampers and their customers, continue to generate more economic activity per dollar of production than any other business sector in the United States. We also drive innovation by conducting nearly half of all research and development, creating the bulk of technology in our nation. However, we face rising costs for health care, pensions, corporate taxes, and raw materials that impact our competitiveness in a global, interconnected marketplace.

This new handbook also notes that we are not preparing our students and workers with the correct skills to help us compete globally and until we correct this we will continue to see our global market share erode.

Copper Supply Shortage Seen Looming

Read Matt Vincent's Blog -- Copper supply shortage seen looming: According to reporting in UK trade Publication Mining Weekly.com: A copper supply shorage is looming, but top tier copper resources that could fill the supply gap are not only hard to find, but would take time to turn to account. A deficit of 88,000 tons is likely in the short term with a 10 million ton shortage by the year 2020.

Die-Tech's CEO Featured on MANTEC Website

Mantec features Die-Tech, the precision metal stamping located in York Haven, PA, as one of their sucessful partnerships.

Die-Tech Wins Small Business Energy Grant

Governor Rendell announced the 53 companies that have qualified for grants under the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program that closed May 1, 2009. This program is the first under the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund signed into law by the Governor last July. It provides small businesses of 100 employees or less with the opportunity to receive a 25 percent reimbursement grant of up to $25,000 to implement qualified energy efficiency improvements.

Die-Tech is the only corporation in York County to qualify for a grant under this program. We will reduce our electricity consumption by replacing T-12 fluorescent tubes with high-efficiency LED tubes in existing fixtures throughout the building. The LED tubes use 56% less energy, have a life expectancy that is five times greater than that of a fluorescent tube, while providing the same quality and amount of illumination.

The LED tubes also allow the Die-Tech to keep existing fixtures, saving capital and reducing waste going to landfills. Die-Tech sees this as a win-win project and is pleased to participate in the Governor's Energy Efficiency Program.

Time to Upgrade? Richard W. Dennis, President of Die-Tech, Inc., voices his opinions

Richard W. Dennis, President of Die-Tech, Inc., a precision metal stamper Central PA is interviewed concerning replacement of manufacturing equipment. Die-Tech does customer, made-to-order, precision metal stampings for the automotive, medical devices, aerospace, military and other industries.

Die-Tech featured in the KeystoneEdge

Die-Tech, the precision metal stampings manufacturer in Central Pennsylvania was the host to the DEP's Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program announcement in January. During this media event the acting Environmental Protection Secretary, John Hagar spoke with the press and invited small business across the state to apply for the new grant. After the announcement, the attendees where invited to tour Die-Tech's facility to gain a better understanding of the metal stampings that are produced right here in Central PA and shipped around the world for use in automotive, consumer electronics, medical, aerospace, military, and alternative energy devices.
Die-Tech manufactures metal stampings that are characterized by their light-weight, complex forms, high-quality and precision, including connectors, jumpers, lead frame, terminal leadframe, hybrid edge clips, and compliant pins.

PA State Energy Efficiency Grant Program Announced during media event at Die-Tech

Die-Tech, a precision metal stamping manufacturer, hosted the DEP's announcement of a new Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency grant program on January 12th on their plant floor. Acting Environmental Protection Secretary John Hangar made the announcement for the new grant program before a host of guests and the Capital Region's news media. This program is designed to help small businesses in the state make the changes needed to conserve energy and improve their competitiveness in the global market.
Following the annoucement, Die-Tech personnel conducted guided tours of the metal stamping facility -- show casing their production of edge clips, connectors, nuclear filter media, and other precsion metal stampings made within the facility.

Die-Tech's Engineering Hotline gaining attention from the professionals in the metal forming industry

Die-Tech's new hotline, staffed by engineers for engineers, is featured in MetalForming Magazine. This hotline was implemented to assist those tasked with the responsibility of sourcing or designing metal components to be used in their own manufacturing processes. These metal components may include clips, connectors, pins, heat sinks, jumpers, or lead frame. In fact, any thing that needs to be stamped of light-weight metals for the movement of electricity from one component to another.

Tech Boosts Value of Trained Workers

When Richard Dennis, president of Die-Tech Inc. in York County, was warned of the "perfect labor storm" that threatens to erode the manufacturing workforce, he knew his company was already acting to ward off the inability to attract and keep skilled employees.

With both apprenticeship and mentoring programs in place for the past few years, Dennis mandates that all of his 52 employees receive regular training to maintain or improve the skills needed to keep his company competitive and productive.

He and other local manufacturers are beefing up their workforce to make it fit in the trend toward lean manufacturing, which demands an increased use of technology.

Die-Tech manufacturers metal stampings for high-technology applications in the automotive, medical, aerospace, military, consumer electronics, and tlelecommnications industries.

Terminal Leadframes for the Automotive Industry

Die-Tech announces a new product launch -- the Terminal Leadframe. A Terminal Leadframe is a custom designed, usually plastic over-molded, precision metal stamping that mates with an industry standard connector in automotive 'black-box' applications.

These custom metal stampings are more robust to meet the demands of under-the-hood automotive environments, yet have the precision required for the plastic injection molds used in the over-molding most applications require.

The concepts learned and developed for the Terminal Leadframe enable Die-Tech to fast-track the product to production. This time-to-market advantage is key to our customer's abilty to compete in today's marketplace.

Metalforming Magazine Features Our Engineering Hotline

Die-Tech's new stamping design hotline hit the September issue of Metalforming, the magazine of the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). The article explains the type of questions our engineers will expect to answer for those tasked with the design and use of precision metal stampings such as connectors, terminal leadframe, spreaders, small heat sinks, hybrid edge clips, SIPs, DIPs, ZIPs, and other metal stampings that allow electricity to move from one component or, area of a device, to another.

Precision Metal Stamping Manufacturer Trains and Retains Workforce

Read how Die-Tech is preparing for the future and for the skilled workforce crunch that everyone is predicting. This precision metal stamping manufacturer has developed several career enhancement value streams for training employees. This training is provided both internally by Die-Tech personnel, and externally in partnership with MANTEC.

Hotline for Stamping Design Engineers Just a Phone Call Away

Die-Tech, Inc., York Haven, PA, has introduced a stamping-design hotline as a resource for engineers and others manufacturing for the automotive, telecommunications, military, aerospace, industrial controls and other industries that use precision metal stampings. Call 1-888-89-STAMP for technical support, it is free and available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Die-Tech and the Manufacturing Extention Partnership

Our Lean corporate culture has enabled us to cut lead times, reduce inventory, reduce set up times, improve quality, and increase our flexibility. Our partnership with MANTEC provides us with cutting edge training on Lean techniques and principals.

A Spotlight on Success

How does a company transform itself to an innovative, outward-facing organization? For Die-Tech, Inc., the York Haven manufacturer of precision metal stampings, the first step was benchmarking. Rather than settle for the minimum required to maintain its quality and technical certifications, the company took a hard, critical look at the comparisons it was gathering.

"You're first fight is always with data," says company President Richard W. Dennis. "We were guilty of a mindset that what we were finding didn't apply to us because we were different. But benchmarking showed the chinks in our armor."

Next, Die-Tech engaged a consultant that recommended a more robust training and career/personal development menu for the company's more than 100 employees. That process began eight years ago. Today, the spirit of innovation permeates the company culture. Among its key elements:

Significant exporting
Regular customer interface
New product introductions
On- and off-site training

Yet another element in Die-Tech's outreach is Dennis' service on the MANTEC board of directors, where his enthusiasm for learning and growing has impressed John Lloyd.

"I'm continually amazed at how much he reaches out to take on new initiatives -- simultaneously in many cases," Lloyd says. "He's built an infrastructure that enables his people to absorb those changes."

Die-Tech Interviewed Concerning Websites for Manufacturers

Die-Tech, a precision metal stamper located in Central Pennsylvania, understands how powerful the web will become to manufacturers around the world.

Manufacturing Technology Internship Program

The Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania (TCCP), Ben Franklin Technology Partners, MANTEC, and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced the winner of an innovative internship program that matches regional manufacturers with the region's most qualified students.

The winners of the Manufacturing Technology Internship Progam are:

Die-Tech, Inc.
Videon Central, Inc.
Johnstown Speciality Castings, Inc.
Verefi Technologies
QorTek, Inc.
Intuitive Control Systems, Inc.

"The program is a great step forward for all of us working together to re-build manufacturing in Pennsylvania," said Tom Palisin, Pennsylvania's Manufacturing Ombudsman, who works within the Department of Community and Economic Development. "By expanding intership opportunities we are building a foundation of knowledgeable, enterprising individuals who will be poised to expand manufacturing in the Commonwealth."