In November, U.S. manufacturing contraction worsened with an index drop to 48.1, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline, while UK manufacturing also saw a decrease, with job losses accelerating to the fastest rate in seven years. Meanwhile, German manufacturing orders unexpectedly fell by 0.4%, suggesting an ongoing downturn in Europe's largest economy. The document also discusses advancements in manufacturing technology, emphasizing the importance of robotics, additive manufacturing, and IoT investments.

1. WEEK 49 IN MANUFACTURING
NEWS

2. US manufacturing contraction worsens in November; UK factories are laying off
workers at fastest rate for seven years; German manufacturing downturn drags
into final quarter; 2020: Future of manufacturing technology.

3. The Institute for Supply Management said in its monthly survey the index measuring
domestic factory activity fell to 48.1 last month from 48.3 in October amid weakness in new
orders and exports.
It was the fourth consecutive month of contraction for the US manufacturing sector, though
it remains in a stronger position than in September when the index was at its worst level in a
decade. Economists expected it to hit 49.2 last month, according to a Thomson Reuters poll.
A reading below 50 indicates contraction.
Source: Financial Times.
US manufacturing contraction worsens in
November

4. The monthly UK manufacturing snapshot from IHS Markit/Cips shows the headline purchasing
managers’ index (PMI) slipped to 48.9 in November from 49.6 in October. It has been stuck for
seven months below the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction.
Employment in the sector fell for the eighth month in a row and the pace of job losses was the
steepest since September 2012 as manufacturers sought to reduce their costs.
New orders fell for the seventh consecutive month, reflecting tougher conditions in the UK and
overseas. The drop in new export orders was among the steepest of the past seven years.
Source: The Guardian.
UK factories are laying off workers at
fastest rate for seven years

5. German industrial orders fell unexpectedly in October as demand at home and from outside
the euro zone weakened, suggesting a manufacturing downturn will continue to hold back
growth in Europe’s largest economy in the final quarter.
Contracts for German-made goods were down 0.4% from the previous month, the Statistics
Office said on Thursday. That undershot a Reuters consensus forecast for a 0.3% rise.
Source: Euronews.
German manufacturing downturn drags
into final quarter

6. 2020: Future of manufacturing technology
Which technologies warrant the often-significant resource investments required to navigate
the ongoing digital transformation and embrace what Industry 4.0 promises.
• Advancing robotics and automation
• Embracing additive manufacturing and 3D printing
• Working with wearables
• Recognizing growing need for 5G
• Continued IoT investments
Source: IndustryWeek.

8. https://manufacturing-software-blog.mrpeasy.com/week-49-in-
manufacturing-news/
https://www.mrpeasy.com/