Content about Manufacturing

May 2, 2013

Kimberly-Clark has completed the migration of its North American Vendor Managed Inventory program to the Datalliance VMI platform, on which it will manage its consumer brands for 15 retail partners.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Kimberly-Clark has completed the migration of its North American Vendor Managed Inventory program to the Datalliance VMI platform, on which it will manage its consumer brands for 15 retail partners.

May 1, 2013

During the Spectrum Brands second-quarter earnings call, the Madison, Wis.-based company showed interest in bringing back some offshore production.

During the Spectrum Brands second-quarter earnings call, the Madison, Wis.-based company showed interest in bringing back some offshore production. 
 
Responding to a question about the rising costs of wages and freight for overseas small appliance manufacturing, Spectrum Brands CEO David Lumley said: “We are looking at that.”
 
He added that a first opportunity might be for North America manufacturing — Mexico or the Caribbean.

April 25, 2013

New Britain, Conn.-based Stanley Black & Decker saw revenues grow, largely as the result of acquisitions.

New Britain, Conn.-based Stanley Black & Decker saw revenues grow, largely as the result of acquisitions.
 
The company reported first-quarter revenues of $2.49 billion, an increase of 3% over the prior-year period. Volume and currency each declined approximately 1%, while acquisitions added 4% to that total. 
 
Net earnings declined to $81.1 million for the quarter, compared with $121.8 million in the same quarter last year. 
 

April 17, 2013

Unilever United States and Canada has achieved 100% zero waste to landfill in all 26 of its manufacturing and non-manufacturing headquarter facilities. Other countries in which Unilever has achieved this milestone include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Japan.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever United States and Canada has achieved 100% zero waste to landfill in all 26 of its manufacturing and non-manufacturing headquarter facilities. Other countries in which Unilever has achieved this milestone include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Japan.

March 21, 2013

Allow me to be the group historian for a minute. Does anyone remember, in 1984, the "Crafted with Pride in the U.S.A." advertising campaign, spearheaded by the late Roger Milliken, and funded by a consortium of fiber, chemical and textile companies? This was supposed to have instilled enough patriotism in the consumer to buy goods made in America at a furious enough rate to keep manufacturing here on our soil.

Allow me to be the group historian for a minute. Does anyone remember, in 1984, the "Crafted with Pride in the U.S.A." advertising campaign, spearheaded by the late Roger Milliken, and funded by a consortium of fiber, chemical and textile companies?  This was supposed to have instilled enough patriotism in the consumer to buy goods made in America at a furious enough rate to keep manufacturing here on our soil. 

March 18, 2013

Easton-Bell Sports, a designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn brands, has announced the following key executive appointments and promotions at Easton Sports:

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Easton-Bell Sports, a designer, developer and marketer of innovative sports equipment and accessories under the Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn brands, has announced the following key executive appointments and promotions at Easton Sports:

March 11, 2013

Publix on Friday named four new officer positions effective April 1.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Friday named four new officer positions effective April 1. The new officer positions are in corporate purchasing and manufacturing, the grocer reported. 

“I am very proud that we continue to have talented associates who are ready to assume higher leadership roles in our organization,” stated Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our ability to promote from within is one of the ways we are able to perpetuate our Publix culture.”

February 28, 2013

Stanley Black & Decker said it completed its acquisition of Infastech, a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty engineered fastening technologies.

Stanley Black & Decker said it completed its acquisition of Infastech, a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty engineered fastening technologies.

Stanley paid $850 million in cash for the Hong Kong-based company. The transaction was originally announced on July 2, 2012. 

Infastech’s annual revenues are about $580 million. 

February 7, 2013

Alco reported that total sales, excluding fuel, increased 26% to $34.8 million for the fiscal five-week period ended Feb. 3, compared with $27.6 million during the four-week period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 21.4% from a year earlier.

ABILENE, Kan — Alco reported that total sales, excluding fuel, increased 26% to $34.8 million for the fiscal five-week period ended Feb. 3, compared with $27.6 million during the four-week period of the prior year. On a same-store basis, excluding fuel, sales increased 21.4% from a year earlier. 

February 5, 2013

Third party logistic provider Kenco was chosen by Haier America to manage the appliance brand’s U.S. distribution.

Third party logistic provider Kenco was chosen by Haier America to manage the appliance brand’s U.S. distribution.

February 1, 2013

Leading private label supplier Perrigo has acquired pet health company Velcera for $160 million.

Leading private label supplier Perrigo has acquired pet health company Velcera for $160 million.

The deal follows last fall’s acquisition of Sergeants and signals Perrigo’s intent to accelerate growth in areas beyond its traditional businesses of consumer health care, nutrition products and prescriptions. Velcera is a pet health company best known for is PetArmor brand of flea and tick products that are widely available at retailers nationwide, much to the chagrin of veterinarians. PetArmor’s had sales of $60 million last year.

January 21, 2013

JustFab, a leading fashion-subscription e-commerce site and lifestyle fashion brand, has acquired children's fashion brand and personalized e-commerce service, FabKids.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — JustFab, a leading fashion-subscription e-commerce site and lifestyle fashion brand, has acquired children's fashion brand and personalized e-commerce service, FabKids.

JustFab is headed by president and creative director Kimora Lee Simmons. FabKids was launched by ShopStyle founder and serial entrepreneur, Andy Moss, and mom and actress Christina Applegate, in August 2012.

January 21, 2013

The board of directors of Stanley Black & Decker has announced that CEO John Lundgren has been elected to serve in the additional capacity as chairman of the board, effective March 13, following the expiration of Nolan Archibald’s term as executive chairman of the board.

The board of directors of Stanley Black & Decker has announced that CEO John Lundgren has been elected to serve in the additional capacity as chairman of the board, effective March 13, following the expiration of Nolan Archibald’s term as executive chairman of the board.

Archibald’s employment agreement with the company expires on March 12, at which time he will retire as executive chairman of the board and as an executive of the company.

January 18, 2013

TTi Floor care, manufacturing of Hoover and Dirt Devil floor care products, is investing in American innovation.

TTi Floor care, manufacturing of Hoover and Dirt Devil floor care products, is investing in American innovation.

The Glenwillow, Ohio-based company said it would hire more than 200 new electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, technicians and industrial designers nationwide over the next three years. The increased investment in engineering, innovation and design is part of the company’s strategy to stay at the forefront of its industry.

January 15, 2013

Walmart announced its plans to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and hire 100,000 honorably discharged veterans in the next five years.

NEW YORK — Walmart announced its plans to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and hire 100,000 honorably discharged veterans in the next five years.

Speaking at the National Retail Federation's annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to work full-time make that transition.

December 3, 2012

Lowe’s will be adding the LG electronics brand to an already powerful portfolio of appliance brands that includes Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Samsung, KitchenAid, Maytag, Electroluc, GE and Bosch.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s will be adding the LG electronics brand to an already powerful portfolio of appliance brands that includes Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Samsung, KitchenAid, Maytag, Electroluc, GE and Bosch.

November 27, 2012

Crosman Corporation, an international designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of products for the shooting sports, has named Lenn Phegley as its VP of manufacturing.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Crosman Corporation, an international designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of products for the shooting sports, has named Lenn Phegley as its VP of manufacturing. Phegley replaces Dan Schultz, who retired after 39 years of service.  

In his new position, Phegley will oversee all manufacturing operations, as well as the company’s environmental, health and safety, manufacturing engineering, design engineering and quality assurance functions.

November 27, 2012

Crosman Corporation, an international designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of products for the shooting sports, has named Lenn Phegley as its VP of manufacturing.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Crosman Corporation, an international designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of products for the shooting sports, has named Lenn Phegley as its VP of manufacturing. Phegley replaces Dan Schultz, who retired after 39 years of service.  

In his new position, Phegley will oversee all manufacturing operations, as well as the company’s environmental, health and safety, manufacturing engineering, design engineering and quality assurance functions.

September 27, 2012

Corporate governance is a familiar topic, especially to Walmart and its suppliers, but the concept of supply chain governance is less well understood.

Corporate governance is a familiar topic, especially to Walmart and its suppliers, but the concept of supply chain governance is less well understood.

A global leader in the space, MetricStream, aims to change that. In a nutshell, the frim explains that supply chain governance is about helping organizations streamline and manage their supplier quality and performance while also identifying, mitigating and managing supplier risks for key procurement and manufacturing process.

September 18, 2012

A study released by BDO USA found that retailers are generally confident that year-end sales will top last year’s.

Chicago -- A study released on Tuesday by BDO USA found that retailers are generally confident that year-end sales will top last year’s. According to the sixth-annual BDO Retail Compass Survey of CFOs, which examined the opinions of 100 leading retail CFOs nationwide, retailers are expecting a 4.5% increase in total 2012 sales.

August 3, 2012

Panasonic has expanded its growing portfolio of beauty products with the launch of three new products: a heated eyelash curler, precision body shaver and facial hair trimmer.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Panasonic has expanded its growing portfolio of beauty products with the launch of three new products: a heated eyelash curler, precision body shaver and facial hair trimmer.

The newest products join Panasonic's current beauty product portfolio, which includes facial steamers, pore cleansers and bikini trimmers.

July 9, 2012

Hilco Trading has named Gary Epstein as chief marketing officer for the company.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Hilco Trading has named Gary Epstein as chief marketing officer for the company. Epstein will be responsible for Hilco’s overall marketing strategy and execution, branding, market research, etc. across all of the operating companies. Epstein will be taking over the role from Rick Kaye, who has held the position for more than 10 years and will remain with the organization as an EVP until January 2013.

March 22, 2012

RadioShack has made an agreement with Malaysian retail group Berjaya Retail Berhad that will expand RadioShack's global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack has made an agreement with Malaysian retail group Berjaya Retail Berhad that will expand RadioShack's global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries.

Under the long-term agreement, Berjaya Retail (Cayman) Limited as franchise developer is expected to open at least 1,000 franchise locations across the Association of Southeast Asia Nations within the first 10 years. Its subsidiary in Malaysia, Berjaya RS Sdn. Bhd., expects to open its first RadioShack locations later this year in Kuala Lumpur.

February 23, 2012

RadioShack Corp. said Thursday that it has named William "Bill" Nebes III as senior VP, overseeing the company's operations in Mexico.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack Corp. said Thursday that it has named William "Bill" Nebes III as senior VP, overseeing the company's operations in Mexico.

Nebes will report to Jim Gooch, president and CEO.

Nebes has served as VP Mexico operations for RadioShack since February 2009, shortly after RadioShack acquired full ownership of the Mexico business in December 2008.

February 21, 2012

RadioShack reported a fourth-quarter sales increase, thanks to the rollout of Target Mobile centers, but profits were down.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack reported a fourth-quarter sales increase, thanks to the rollout of Target Mobile centers, but profits were down.

Total net sales and operating revenues from continuing operations for the 2011 fourth quarter increased 5.9% to $1.39 billion, compared with $1.31 billion for the 2010 fourth quarter. Net income for the 2011 fourth quarter was $11.9 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $57 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010.