The April 2013 explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas has led to questions about the regulation of agricultural fertilizer.  This report discusses policy issues relating to fertilizer regulation that Congress might deal with, including the inadequacies of industry self-reporting, long intervals between inspections, and public access to critical information.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the Chinese motor vehicle industry which, in 2009, became the larger producer of motor vehicles in the world.  Also describes the trade disputes between China and the U.S. relating to market access for vehicles and parts.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reports on U.S. economic growth for 2012 when 19 of 22 industry groups contributed to a 2.2% increase in real GDP.  From the Bureau of Economic Analysis

How Africa can make a great leap forward via industrialization built on rich natural resources.  From the Economic Commission for Africa

Discusses the thesis that U.S. companies are sending a larger proportion of their high-value work abroad and that physical production activities account for a diminishing share of the final value of manufactured products.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Labor productivity rose in 63% of detailed manufacturing industries in 2011, down from 78% in 2010.  Provides details to the 4-digit NAICS code level.  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Real GDP increased in 242 of the nation’s 366 metropolitan areas in 2011 led by growth in professional/business services, durable goods manufacturing, and trade. From the Bureau of Economic Analysis

This report is designed to inform the debate over the health of U.S. manufacturing through a series of charts and tables that depict the position of the U.S. relative to other countries according to various metrics.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Examines the market for unmanned aircraft or drones, the potential for growth, but the obstacles presented by export control regimes.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes what restructuring has occurred at General Motors, compares old GM with new GM, and totes up the U.S. government’s current financial situation (down $7.5 billion from its investment in GM but hopeful of regaining more if the company continues to be profitable).  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Press release on 16 question survey about management practices at more than 30,000 American manufacturing plants.  Provides links to survey.  From the Census Bureau

Analyzes differences in management practices and their relationship to variation in performance.   Based on  a survey of management practices in over 30,000 plants across the U.S. , the first-ever large-scale management survey conducted by the Census Bureau.   From the Census Bureau

In comparison with 33 countries covered, U.S. manufacturing hourly compensation costs in 2011 ranked in the middle at $35.53.  Countries with higher compensation costs were Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, and the countries of northern and western Europe.  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Examines the complexity of wind turbine manufacturing, the waning government support for such manufacturing in Europe, and forms which federal government support for the wind turbine industry could take in the U.S.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reports that manufacturing productivity increased in 2011 in 15 of 19 countries covered  Tables cover output per hour and unit labor costs for each country.  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Reports that real GDP  increased by 1.8 % in 2011, after increasing by 2.4% in 2010.  12 of 22 industry groups contributed to the slowdown.  From the Bureau of Economic Analysis

Latest annual report on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the U.S. and China.  Also covers  arms proliferation, transfer of manufacturing  and research and development activity from the U.S. to China, the effect of the Chinese economy on world energy markets, human rights and other issues.  From the Commission

Discusses the increase in availability of natural gas, primarily from shale gas production, and the opportunities and problems that such abundance represents.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Analyzes the relative importance of various factors, such as spinoff firms or benefits from proximity to firms in the same industry, which explain the clustering of U.S. car manufacturers in the period up to 1970.  From the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Discusses the current state of the U.S. textile industry and the implications for that industry of the establishment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reports that multifactor productivity increased in 73 of 86 four-digit NAICS manufacturing industries in the U.S. in 2010.  Also provides historical trends from 1987.  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Describes current federal tax preferences that offer significant benefits for small and large manufacturing firms and legislative proposals to enhance such preferences or create new ones.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses ways in which the U.S. could benefit from opportunities in areas such as biomanufacturing, robotics, smart sensors, cloud-based computing, and nanotechnology.  From the National Academy of Engineering

Examines the opportunities for growth in Great Britain through advanced manufacturing and related new business models.  From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Provides statistics on the levels and sectors of employment related to foreign trade in the European Union.  From Eurostat

Discusses the regionalization of the motor vehicle global market and how customer preferences and vehicle regulations contribute to this diversity.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the reasons for the decline of employment in the manufacturing sector, the role of manufacturing plays in the Hampton Roads region, and the outlook for manufacturing in the local region for the future.  From the Hampton Roads Plan District Commission

Describes the proposed funding and structure for a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation and what preliminary steps have been taken.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reports that productivity in the manufacturing sector increased at an annual rate of 7.5% in 2010, the largest annual ncrease in the series which began in 1987.  From the Bureu of Labor Statistics

Discusses the hopes of reviving employment by encouraging the revival of manufacturing, but points out the diminished employment prospects, especially for workers with limited educational credentials,  in contemporary manufacturing.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists