|
Trade Wars
Manufacturers Need to Prepare for Increased Immigration Enforcement
The government’s crackdown on immigration labor isn’t just a concern for the hospitality and agriculture industries. Manufacturing plants have been targeted by ICE as well. If manufacturers haven't started getting ready for possibly Immigration Customs Enforcements visits yet, they need to prepare. “Those $30 billion in enforcement [dollars] are going to be spent. Among the spending, approvals were 10,000 ICE agents to be able to deal with ICE audits and ICE raids,” said Jorge Lopez, chair of the Immigration and Global Mobility Practice Group at Littler.
“Right now, [we’re in] a bit of a lull because the budget just got approved, but funding is getting allocated. I think that by the end of the third quarter, if not the first part of the fourth quarter of this year, we’re going to start seeing more activity,” He added. Lopez discussed the scope of the increased enforcement actions, what manufacters should be doing to prepare for possible immigration site visits or raids and how to be compliant without opening up operations to more risk and scrutiny.
Read more/Watch the video at IndustryWeek
Striking Machinists At Boeing Defense Approve Their Own Proposed Contract – Strike Continues
Striking workers at Boeing Defense voted 90% to approve a four-year contract proposal from union leadership that management has already refused to consider, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced Friday. IAM leadership said Boeing can end the 46-day-long strike today by accepting the offer. “Our members have spoken loudly - we are ready to return to work once Boeing accepts this agreement,” IAM District 837 President Tom Boelling said in a statement. “It’s up to the company to get our members back to what they do best: building world-class aircraft for our nation’s defense.”
“It’s unfortunate that union leadership led its members to vote on something that isn’t real," Boeing Defense Vice President Dan Gillian said in a statement. He defended Boeing's previous offer, which included a 20% general wage increase and more vacation time. He has previously said Boeing will not consider any terms that significantly increase the cost beyond that offer. Union officials said they drafted the proposal because the company has not been willing to resume talks since the roughly 3,200 members of IAM District 837 voted 57% to reject Boeing's last offer on September 12.
Read more at Reuters
FAA Issues Fines for 737 MAX Program Safety – Violations Occurred Prior to On-Site Monitoring
In what may signal a change in the Federal Aviation Administration’s on-site monitoring of Boeing’s 737 MAX production program, the agency issued fines in the total amount of $3,139,319 against the company for safety violations between September 2023 and February 2024. FAA emphasized that it applied “its maximum statutory civil penalty authority consistent with law.” Earlier this month FAA chief Bryan Bedford said the agency has not yet decided if or when to end its oversight of the production process.
In addition to the on-site monitoring, FAA has capped Boeing’s 737 MAX production rate. That is a growing concern for the aircraft manufacturer, which is hopeful of increasing its production rate to address its order backlog and improve its revenue forecast. FAA has maintained that the production rate will remain unchanged, while acknowledging improvements in Boeing’s safety protocols. The stated timeframe for the violations covers the period leading up to the delivery of a 737 MAX-9 aircraft to Alaska Air, on October 31, 2023; the jet’s entry into service in November 2023; and the midair failure of the sidedoor plug aboard the aircraft on January 5, 2024.
Read more at American Machinist
The Promise and Hurdles of the New Weight-Loss Pills
An intriguing new option is coming for weight-loss drugs: a pill that you take once a day to shed pounds, rather than the weekly injections that have powered the anti-obesity revolution up to now. The rationale: Some people don’t like needles and view pills as more convenient. And pills will be easier and less expensive for drugmakers to manufacture compared with more complex injectables. That might make them cheaper than the popular Wegovy and Zepbound shots.
These new pills could have trade-offs versus the shots. You might not lose as much weight, studies have shown. And the pills might cause gut-related side effects such as nausea in more patients compared with the injectables. Doctors and analysts say the pills might be more suitable for people who need to lose a more-modest amount of weight, while people with severe obesity may need to stick with the injectables. Even with their limitations, the market for GLP-1 weight-loss pills could be big. They could eventually make up about 25% of the total market, estimates David Risinger, an analyst at Leerink Partners, which focuses on healthcare investment banking. “They still have the potential to generate mega-blockbuster sales because consumer demand for oral obesity pills will be tremendous,” Risinger said.
Read more at The WSJ
Delta Orders 20 Airbus A350-1000s To Modernize Fleet
Delta Air Lines has ordered 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to modernize its fleet, replace aging Boeing 767s and enhance passenger experience. The A350-1000 offers significant fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and operating costs, and will support Delta's long-haul international routes. The decision to choose Airbus over Boeing's 777X was influenced by ongoing delays with the latter and Delta's strategy to streamline operations with a primarily Airbus fleet. With the goal of increasing fuel efficiency and improving the in-flight experience, Delta expanded its fleet by ordering 20 new Airbus A350-1000 widebodies in 2024.
By the end of the decade, the carrier plans to have over 60 A350s in its fleet, with 28 A350-900s and 36 A350-1000s. The largest and most powerful aircraft in Delta's fleet, the A350-1000 will provide first-rate seats, top-notch amenities, and more cargo capacity. The aircraft will mainly be used in international hubs and long-haul markets to support Delta's global expansion. Along with 15% more premium seats than the retiring aircraft, the new aircraft will feature premium amenities, including Main Cabin, Delta One Suites, and Delta Premium Select. Delta Studio also offers over 1,000 hours of complimentary inflight entertainment, fast WiFi, and upscale food and drink selections.
Read more at Simpleflying
South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy In Talks To Buy US Shipyard
South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is in talks with multiple companies about buying a U.S. shipyard, a senior company executive said, seeking to tap into President Donald Trump's push to revive America's ailing shipbuilding industry. The world's largest shipbuilder based on orders is targeting 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in annual revenue by 2035 from building warships for the U.S. Navy, said Woo-maan Jeong, head of planning and management for HD Hyundai's (329180.KS), opens new tab naval and special ship unit, in an interview at its Ulsan headquarters.
U.S. shipyards, which had the world's highest production capacity during World War Two, had a global market share of just 0.04% in 2024, according to U.N. Trade and Development data. China and South Korea are now responsible for 83% of global commercial shipbuilding, the data also shows. Shipbuilders still operating in the U.S. include Philly Shipyard, bought in 2024 by Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, and a full-service shipyard, run by General Dynamics on the West Coast. Huntington Ingalls Industries is also building, opens new tab ships as a large supplier for U.S. Navy.
Read more at Reuters
iPhone 17 Goes On Sale Globally As Apple Faces China Rivals And AI Doubts
The iPhone 17 hit store shelves worldwide on Friday, drawing lines from Beijing to London. But beyond the launch buzz, Apple is under pressure to prove itself, grappling with questions over its artificial intelligence plans, as well as increasing competition. Products on display for the first time include the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, as well as new Apple Watch and AirPods models.
While they were available for preorders in the U.S. from Sept. 12, the global launch holds particular significance as Apple takes on growing competition in overseas markets. One of those markets is China, where customers waited for hours — and even overnight — to get their hands on the new iPhone. After years of leadership in the region, the iPhone-maker now only holds 10% of the Chinese smartphone market, trailing local players like Oppo, Huawei, Xiaomi and others, according to data from Omdia.
Read more at CNBC
Rivian Breaks Ground on $5 Billion Manufacturing Plant in Georgia
Rivian will held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for its $5 billion manufacturing facility in Georgia. Company executives were be joined by Governor Brian Kemp, state and local officials, and community leaders at the 2,000-acre site in southern Morgan and Walton counties. The facility, first announced in late 2021, represents the single-largest economic development investment in Georgia’s history and is expected to create 7,500 jobs once fully operational.
Originally slated to open in 2024, the project will now be developed in two phases, with vehicles expected to begin rolling off assembly lines in 2028. Once complete, the plant will be capable of producing up to 400,000 vehicles annually. Rivian leaders have described the Georgia plant as a critical step in broadening the company’s consumer base, particularly by introducing EVs at lower price points. The project also underscores Georgia’s rise as a national leader in EV and battery sector growth, fueled by Governor Kemp’s focus on innovation and electric mobility.
Read more at Assembly Magazine
|
