| MAPI Research and Insight |
U.S. industrial outlook: Manufacturing production growth is disappointingly slow  | | Meckstroth (MAPI) |
Daniel J. Meckstroth, Ph.D., vice president and chief economist
We lower the forecast for this year and next because of the persistent shocks to manufacturing demand; we now see more downside than upside risks. Manufacturing production will decelerate rather than accelerate this year. Production increased 2% last year and we forecast growth of 1.1% in 2016, 2.4% in 2017 and 2.5% in 2018. Forecast
U.S. Supreme Court decision limits ERISA plans' subrogation rights  | | Miller (MAPI) |
Leslie D. Miller, deputy general counsel
In a decision that adopts the minority position of two courts of appeals out of a total of eight that have ruled on the issue, the Supreme Court held that ERISA health benefit plans may not seek reimbursement from third-party settlements plan participants receive when the participant has spent the funds on nontraceable items. While the case in question concerned a health benefit plan, the implications for other types of ERISA plans, including pension and disability plans, are unclear. Issues in Brief
Video: Manufacturing's multiplier Daniel J. Meckstroth, Ph.D., vice president and chief economist
Dan walks through the key findings of his recent report on manufacturing's share of the economy and multiplier. He notes that manufacturing is efficient in delivering value-added; it takes about 5.8 full-time equivalent manufacturing jobs to achieve $1 million in value-added, compared with 7.7 for both transportation and services and 16.9 for retail trade. YouTube |
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A look inside Microsoft's innovation "Garage"  | | (Microsoft) |
Microsoft runs a program called "Garage" -- originally housed in a garage-like space but now dispersed around the world -- where employees can access the tools they need to try out new ideas. Brainstorming and prototyping often filter through into Microsoft's other R&D pipelines, giving everyone a chance to contribute to the company's future, says manager Todd Rawlings. Knowledge@Wharton (3/4)
How to cope with communication overload About 200 billion emails were sent last year, with businesspeople responsible for an average of 122 per day. The digital overload is leading some employers to experiment with small behavioral tweaks, such as barring after-hours emails or letting employees skip meetings as needed. The Atlantic online (3/2) |
Manufacturing's contribution to US GDP often underestimated Manufacturing represents about one-third of the US gross domestic product when its full reach throughout the value chain is taken into consideration, according to Daniel J. Meckstroth, chief economist of the MAPI Foundation. Factory workers, for example, hold 9% of full-time jobs, but another 23% of the workforce is linked to manufacturing, making its actual footprint equal to about 32%. Official statistics have underestimated manufacturing's effect by pegging it at 11% of GDP. PlasticsToday.com (3/2) MAPI report finds Mexico is favored destination for reshoring Mexico is the more likely destination for manufacturers that are reshoring their Asian operations back to North America, according to a study by Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. Mexico "offers greater access to the US market, but allows companies to maintain advantageous operating cost structure," the report said. PlasticsNews.com (3/8) |
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The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, founded in 1933 and located in Arlington, VA, contributes to the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing by providing economic research, professional development and an independent, expert source of manufacturing information. www.mapi.net |
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