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Manufacturing

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Trade deficit dropped from April to May

The United States imported less and increased exports in May, which resulted in a 3.8 percent drop in the trade deficit.  

The U.S. Commerce Department reported this morning that the trade deficit fell slightly, …
By BPC Staff | Jul 11, 2012
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Deere’s big leap

Many Central Iowa residents assume that Deere & Co. builds tractors at its John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny.

Actually, the manufacturing facility is much more specialized. The 455-acre campus serves as a hub …
By JOE GARDYASZ | Jul 5, 2012
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Manufacturing, auto sales up

After falling in March and April, new orders for manufactured goods increased 0.7 percent in May, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Shipments of goods also increased 0.5 percent in May. …
By BPC Staff | Jul 3, 2012
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ABI announces local board members

Dennis Murdock, CEO at Central Iowa Power Cooperative in Des Moines, is the new chairman of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.  (ABI) board of directors. Other board members from Central Iowa are Frederick …
By BPC Staff | Jul 2, 2012
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Manufacturing in the doldrums

The U.S. manufacturing sector grew in June at its most sluggish rate in 18 months, as the pace of output, hiring and new orders all slowed, according to an an industry survey that was released …
By BPC Staff | Jul 2, 2012
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Manufacturing activity slumped in May

Manufacturing activity in a five-state region that includes Iowa dropped 1 percent in May, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, after rising 2.5 percent in April.

The Chicago Fed measures hours worked in …
By BPC Staff | Jun 27, 2012
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Car repairs in Iowa some of the cheapest

Drivers in Iowa had the nation’s fourth-lowest car repair costs on average in 2011, according to a report released by CarMD Corp.

Iowans paid about $289.91 on average for car repairs, or $177.32 for parts …
By BPC Staff | Jun 21, 2012
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Construction begins on new Toro facility in Ankeny

Ryan Companies US Inc. has started construction on a new facility for Toro Co. in Ankeny.

The 450,000-square-foot distribution center will employ about 20 people. Ryan Companies will build and own the building and lease …
By BPC Staff | Jun 19, 2012
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Sauer-Danfoss announces cash dividend

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. announced yesterday it will reinstate quarterly cash dividend payments.

The Ames-based engineering and design company suspended payments in 2009 during the recession, according to a release.

The board of directors also approved a …
By BPC Staff | Jun 7, 2012
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Productivity declines in the first quarter

Productivity cooled in the United States in the first quarter of 2012, signaling that companies may hire workers at a slower rate with labor costs continuing to rise. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that …
By BPC Staff | Jun 6, 2012