Independent contractor rules are currently proposed to change – again. Just about two (2) years ago, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) tried to update its classification regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Those rules have made it simpler and more attractive for employers to use independent contractors. The Rules were scheduled to…
Category: News
Inflation Reduction Act – Good for US Manufacturing?
THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT – The US Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act on August 7, 2022, The Act has been claimed to be designed to reduce living costs for American families while fighting inflation and reducing the deficit. It will expand affordable healthcare coverage, cap the price of insulin, and lower energy costs. The Act…
Property Insurance Rates Expected to Rise After Ian & Nicole
Brown & Brown, 5th largest insurance broker in the world, recently issued their Quarter 1, 2023, Market Trends, Commercial Insurance and Risk Management. The Market Trends discussed several lines of coverage, including property, casualty, cyber risk, executive liability, multinational, surety, and aviation. We believe that their forecasts on property insurance coverage could have a considerable…
2023 Manufacturing Industry Outlook – Poised for GROWTH
Despite anticipated challenges like supply headwinds, labor shortages, and an uncertain economic environment, the Deloitte believes that manufacturing is poised for growth in 2023! According to the annual Manufacturing Outlook produced by Deloitte, “The acceleration gained in 2022 is expected to continue into 2023, though headwinds of supply challenges, labor shortages, and an uncertain economic…
LICENSE REQUIRED – Semiconductor Chips, Technology, and Circuits
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced a series of new export regulations aimed at curtailing China’s access to certain advanced semiconductor chips and technology, integrated circuits, and advanced computing technology. Exporters in virtually any industry that export to China may be affected, thus reinforcing the importance of know-your-customer diligence for transactions with China. According…
CHECK YOUR DEVICES – before holiday online shopping
The holiday shopping season is here, and while millions of Americans will be looking for the best deals the internet has to offer, cyber criminals will be hard at work looking to target online shoppers. The holiday shopping season is a prime opportunity for bad actors to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers through fake websites, malicious links,…
Shhhhh… it’s a Secret
Atlassian recently released their “State of Teams” report for 2022. In the report, they revealed several secrets to building a legendary team. One critical piece needed to assure that your team(s) are the highest performing teams that are driving success is COHESION. Here is a list of concrete behaviors that can help you build cohesion…
Hello Pumpkins!
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), many states in the nation fuel Americans’ seasonal pumpkin obsession; however, six (6) states are responsible for nearly half of all pumpkin production. The six include: Illinois, California, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia. The last few years, Illinois has been leading the pack. Cumulatively, Illinois and the…
SEE YOURSELF IN CYBER — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise…
Quiet Quitting – Not New & Not a Top Concern
Quiet Quitting is a phrase that describes doing the bare minimum at work. Quiet quitting started making headlines in August after Zaid Khan, a 24-year-old engineer, posted a TikTok video. The video said that quiet quitting was “not about ghosting work or deliberately performing poorly enough to be fired” but “leaving the office after eight…
Scottish Manufacturer of Fiber to Build First US Facility in North Carolina
The Emtelle Group, a manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, plans to establish its first U.S. operations in Fletcher, North Carolina. The Emtelle Group, based in Hawick, Scotland, is a leading maker of pre-connectorized blown fiber, cabling, and ducted solutions. They will operate within a 300,000-square-foot North Carolina facility to improve their position in the U.S. market,…
5 Industrial Guinness World Records
Some people aspire to make a name for themselves by breaking a few records in their lifetime. Let’s explore a few of the most awe-inspiring world records set by companies and people in industry. 1. Most Fuel-efficient Truck The most fuel-efficient 40-ton truck in the world is made by Mercedez Benz. It gets around 15…
Manufacturers have a REAL IMPACT
For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, there is a total impact of $2.68 to the overall economy. Including indirect and induced impacts, for every $1,00 spent in manufacturing, there is a total impact of $2,68 to the overall US economy. This figure represents one of the largest sectoral multipliers in the economy. In the private…
NCMA Automation
Manufacturing companies, small and large, across the country have realized that the chronic workforce shortage is not going away, ever. So what are these companies doing to attract the next generation of manufacturing employees, improve operational efficiencies and Increase competitiveness? Automation! The automation companies in the State of Florida that we work with are all…
Dog Days of Summer
The “Dog Days” of summer are from July 3 to August 11 each year. They’re usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season. We often hear about the “Dog Days” of summer, but few know where the expression originated. The phrase was first coined by the Romans, who noticed the hottest days of…
Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
Employer costs for employee compensation for civilian workers averaged $40.90 per hour worked in March 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported June 16, 2022. Wages and salaries cost employers $28.16 and accounted for 68.8 percent of total compensation, while benefits cost $12.74 and accounted for the remaining 31.2 percent. Total compensation costs for…