Made in America: Commerce Department’s budget focuses on expanded U.S. manufacturing centers

Editor’s note: Each Sunday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Made In America,” a round-up of state and global manufacturing news.

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COMMERCE DEPARTMENT’S BUDGET FOCUSES ON EXPANDED U.S. MANUFACTURING CENTERS
One of the major focuses of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s $9.7 billion fiscal 2017 budget request includes expansion of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Government-wide, the budget includes discretionary funding for five new institutes, including $42 million to launch two new Commerce-led institutes and continue the operations of Commerce’s first institute slated for launch later in FY 2016.

The spending plan also includes a mandatory spending proposal of $1.9 billion to complete the remaining 27 institutes and create a national network of 45 manufacturing institutes over the next ten years that will position the U.S. as a global leader in advanced manufacturing technology.

CATERPILLAR TO BEGIN TRADE IN CUBA THROUGH PUERTO RICAN DEALER
Caterpillar Inc. recently selected Rimco, a privately owned Puerto Rico-based company, to be the Cat dealer for Cuba. Currently, Rimco serves as the Cat dealer for Puerto Rico and the Eastern Caribbean. Upon easing of trade restrictions, customers in Cuba will be able to purchase Cat products through Rimco in accordance with U.S. and Cuba regulations.

President Obama announced in December 2014 that the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Cuba. Caterpillar, an advocate for change in policy toward Cuba for nearly two decades, said it will continue its work with the Administration and Congress to end the embargo. While steps remain until relations are fully normalized, including lifting the embargo, Rimco and Caterpillar will continue preparations to best serve the Cuban marketplace with construction and mining equipment, power systems, marine and industrial engines.

OIL INDUSTRY LEADS IN WORK STOPPAGES IN 2015
In 2015, there were 12 major work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one shift, one more than in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Major work stoppages beginning in 2015 idled 47,000 workers, higher than the 34,000 workers of 2014. In 2015, there were 740,000 days idle from major work stoppages in effect, also higher than 2014 with 200,000 days idle.

Private industry organizations accounted for more than 92% of the total days idle, consisting of 684,000 days of idleness. In 2015, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, and educational services industries accounted for approximately 89% of all days idle for major work stoppages in 2015. The largest major work stoppage in terms of days idle was between Royal Dutch Shell Oil and other refineries, and the United Steelworkers Union with up to 6,600 workers at its February 2015 peak.