Something Good is Happening in Manufacturing

November 30, 2011

Graphicast just closed the books on the incredible month of November 2011. Our shipments were among the five best months in the last 10 years, and our bookings exceeded our previous best month by over 35%! Our backlog is at its highest level in five years and we’re running 7 days per week. We’re planning a plant expansion, and we can’t get equipment in fast enough as far as we’re concerned.

We’re hearing similar stories from other companies in the state. Although unemployment remains high and the overall economy is slowing growing, there is a major expansion underway in some parallel economy that’s not showing up in the normal data. One explanation is that the manufacturing economy is driven by global economics, not national economics. As there are parts of the world nicely expanding, those of us in manufacturing are expanding as well. I wonder what things would be like if the US economy really took off?

What Would Small Manufacturers Occupy?

November 7, 2011

We have the Tea Partiers occupying Congress (or at least a part of it) to protest intrusive government. We also have the 99 Percenters occupying Wall Street to protest an intrusive banking and financial services industry.  Although some of us in manufacturing may sympathize with these other protest movements, if we formed a coalition unique to small manufacturing, what would we protest? Government regulations? Government gridlock? Ineffective public education? Predatory banking? Labor unions? Red tape at all levels of government? Globalization? Is there one issue we could all rally around that would help us, or are we too regionalized and diverse to have a common gripe? I certainly don’t have the answer, but you may. Let’s hear from you.

All Packed Up And Ready To Go…!

November 2, 2011

Graphicast will be at the Design 2 Part show in Marlborough Massachusetts November 2 & 3.  The show is at the Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough MA 01752

Please stop by and say hello.  We would enjoy seeing you to discuss our process or any project requirements you have.

This is our last show of 2011 and is right in our backyard, giving us the opportunity to get the real pulse of what is happening in New England.