Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Butterball Earns Safety Award

Our local Butterball plant was recently recognized with an award of merit for worker safety from the American Meat Institute.  The award was presented earlier this month during the AMI's Conference on Worker Safety, Health, Human Resources and the Environment.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Post Foods Gives Back BIG!

Post Foods in Jonesboro recently handed out $30,000 in grant money to seven area organizations.  Rick Esquivel, donation coordinator at Post Foods in Jonesboro, said that he believes it's important to support the community where he and his fellow employees work and live.  Read more - click here, then scroll to the bottom of the Jonesboro Sun online and select B1, then B4.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Get the Word Out: Manufacturing Jobs Can Pay Big Bucks!

Manufacturing jobs are out there, and they can be lucrative.  The trick is to get the word out and update the image of the traditional industrial environment in order to attract the upcoming workforce to manufacturing.  High-tech, automation, "cool" jobs and careers - all could be used to describe today's opportunities in manufacturing.  Click here for article.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Retailers & Manufacturers See Increase in Orders

An increase in orders from retailers for this spring season as compared to last year is a result of higher consumer demand.  Some say this may be an indication that a stronger retail and economic recovery is underway.  Click here for more.

Colson Caster Rolls Out Print and Online Product Catalogs

Press release from Jonesboro manufacturer:  "Colson Caster Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer of standard and custom application caster and wheel products, has announced the availability of its newly redesigned and most complete product catalog to-date.  The Colson 2012 Catalog has been updated to not only reflect additions to Colson's growing product offerings but also incorporate suggested changes from customers, such as expanded product specifications and photography."  For more information about this press release visit http://www.colsoncaster.com/ or contact Laura Bean by phone at 870.910.2329 or by e-mail at lbean@colsoncaster.com.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Productivity Lower, May Lead to Increased Hiring

Reports indicate there was a slow down in productivity at the end of 2011, with productivity at about half the pace that it was during the July-September quarter.  Lower productivity may suggest that companies have squeezed as much out of their existing workforce as they can, which then may lead to an increase in hiring in order to meet higher demand.  Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Survey Indicates Optimism

The findings of a recent survey of two dozen leading private, corporate and academic economists include predictions for a decline in the unemployment rate to 8 percent by year end, and a 2.5 percent growth in the economy for the year (up from 1.7 percent in 2011).  Manufacturers have been hiring more consistently than other employers, and in order to keep up with demand must continue to do so, according to the chief economist at the National Association of Manufacturers.  Click here for entire article.