Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

ANALYSIS - U.S. manufacturers continue innovating amid slump

Mon Jul 6, 2009 10:11am IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

By James B. Kelleher

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturers have taken a beating in the current downturn. Outside of housing and finance, it is hard to think of an industry that has suffered more.

Every measure of the sector's health is flashing red -- from profits and output to plant utilization and employment.

Word from individual manufacturers suggests spending on research and development is falling, too -- though probably not as dramatically as other vital signs.

That's a good thing. Only once during the four most recent recessions -- in 2002 -- has industry-funded R&D fallen faster than industry output, according to figures from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

here

"When companies are having a tough time, they cut back on everything, including R&D," said David Huether, chief economist at the National Association of Manufacturers. "But normally the pullback isn't nearly as big as the drop in production."   Continued...

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks, as finance minister Alistair Darling listens at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in St. Andrews, Scotland. REUTERS/POOL New
UK joins G20 push for world levy on banks

Britain threw its weight behind proposals to impose a global levy on banks to fund future bailouts and called on the G20 to work toward a $100 billion deal to meet the cost of climate change.  Full Article | Full Coverage 

Photo

special coverage

Photo
Central Banks Cautious

Reuters tracks the policies of the world's top central banks as the debate over global economic recovery rages on.  Full Coverage 

Market Update

  • IndiaIndia
  • USUS
  • UKUK
  • Asia
  • Most Actives

column

Nipun Mehta
Nipun Mehta, SG Private Banking
India - planning the road to recovery

There needs to be an acceptable balance created between education & healthcare and infrastructure spend.  Full Article 

SHOWCASE

Robot Asimo

Snapshots of Honda Motor's humanoid robot Asimo  Slideshow 

 
Marketing Strategy
Marketing Strategy

Companies are now using direct marketing methods to sell their products.  Full Article 

 
Out of Woods?
Out of the Woods?

Analysis - CIT's bankruptcy exit fraught with uncertainty  Full Article 

 
Exit Plans
Exit Plans

Factbox - Stimulus exit plans for Asia-Pacific's big 5 economies  Full Article