Manufacturing

Statistics and Trends

• Trends and reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce include:
• Annual Survey of Manufacturers; Current Industrial Reports; Manufacturers Shipments, Inventories, and Orders; U.S. Economic Census, Manufacturing Geographic Series; and the U.S. Economic Census, Manufacturing Industry Series.
• In addition, Manufacturing.net provides manufacturing statistics, industry news and resources.
• Forbes Manufacturing - Contains current headlines in the industry, trends, and also financial information

Manufacturing Best Practices and Government Resources:

Best Manufacturing Practices - a source of information for best practices in manufacturing.

Trade Adjustment Centers a listing of programs which assist manufacturers severely impacted by international trade.

National Institute of Standards & Technology Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life. NIST carries out its mission in four cooperative programs:

• NIST Laboratories, conducting research that advances the nation's technology infrastructure and is needed by U.S. industry to continually improve products and services;
• Baldrige National Quality Program, which promotes performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service companies, educational institutions, and health care providers; conducts outreach programs and manages the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes performance excellence and quality achievement;
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network of local centers offering technical and business assistance to smaller manufacturers; and
• Advanced Technology Program, which accelerates the development of innovative technologies for broad national benefit by co-funding R&D partnerships with the private sector.

Technology Transfer Information Center Informational links prepared by the National Agricultural Library.

SBA SBIR/STTR innovation research and technology transfer information.

Thomas Register - directory of manufacturing firms. Good source for contract and prototype manufacturing.

Finding a Manufacturer an article about contract manufacturing information from Entrepreneur Magazine.

Manufacturing Information by Industry (Selected Industries):

• Manufacturing Job Shops business overview from missouribusiness.net.
• National Association of Manufacturers - Offers stats, skilled workforce center, and other industry information
• Plastics Industry Economic Statistics From the American Plastics Council.
• Plastics News - online trade magazine. Find industry trends, suppliers and companies here.
• Plastics Data Source Statistics on the industry from the Society of the Plastics Industry.