MAPI – Manufacturers Alliance Economic News and Reports

Issues in the Brief

Trends From Year 1 of Conflict Minerals Reporting
In a recent webinar, two Deloitte CPAs provided a comprehensive review of manufacturers’ reporting practices and expectations for year two’s disclosure requirements. Watch the full recording for the extensive Q&A covering executives’ top conflict minerals concerns—including smelter lists, penalties and IPSAs.

Video: Why U.S. Manufacturing Is Still Important
Check out our video illustrating parts of our revamped Facts About Modern Manufacturing to learn how other sectors rely on manufacturing, such as manufactured products (steel, cement, equipment, etc.) being used in construction.

U.S. Needs a More Competitive Corporate Tax System
A white paper from the MAPI Foundation and NAM notes that the U.S. corporate tax system is a drag on manufacturers’ global competitiveness. The paper looks at tax rates in developed countries and finds that the United States is at a disadvantage.

Footloose and Fossil Fuel–Free
Investment in renewable energy is growing and countries are taking strides to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels. American manufacturing is rising to the challenge and developing products as diverse as solar electric systems, wind power solutions and fuel cells.

Oil: What’s Up? What’s Down?
The WTI spot price of crude oil has bounced between $43 and $56 per barrel since the beginning of 2015. As prices of petroleum products have fallen, consumers have clearly benefited, as has the overall economy. On the negative side, falling prices have reduced the demand for manufactured products used in oil and natural gas development.

A Murky Outlook for U.S. Manufacturing
While total industrial production, consisting of manufacturing, mining, and utilities, contracted by a sharp 0.6 percent in March, all of the decline was a result of a 5.9 percent contraction in utility output and a 0.7 percent decline in mining production.

Economic Update

U.S. Industrial Outlook: Strong Dollar Offsets Low Energy Prices
Through 2016, manufacturing is forecast to grow faster than the overall economy. Growth drivers include the construction supply chain, transportation equipment infrastructure and medical care expansion.

Manufacturing Activity March 2015
Jobs are the bright spot in recent manufacturing data, which overall suggest a weak first quarter for the sector. Growth momentum is being held back by the strong dollar, slower growth in key economies and the fall in the price of oil.

European Manufacturing Recovery Stalls but Overall Conditions Improve Slightly
Aside from energy, manufacturing in Europe is subdued. Industrial production in the Eurozone is forecast to rise 1.3% in 2015 and 2% in 2016; the region should shift into a more investment-driven growth phase later this year.

MAPI Foundation Business Outlook April 2015
The Composite Business Outlook Index declined in April, falling from 66 in January to 64.1 The index remains well above 50, the dividing line between expansion and contraction, and thus points to continued expansion over the next three to six months.