- by Chris Dyer
- April 10 2019
- services & miscellaneous
Visualizing the Future of Architecture & Engineering
As virtual reality (VR) continues to improve, firms in the engineering and architectural services industries are finding novel uses for the technology in their day-to-day operations. From client communication and model presentations to cooperative design work, the list of applications continues to grow. How will the widespread use of VR impact the industries going forward?
- by Owen Stuart
- April 10 2019
- Metals & Minerals
- Trade
The Aluminum Industry is Looking Shiny, For Now
The aluminum industry is looking up. Historically low aluminum prices have finally risen due to the effect of the US government’s tariffs on imported primary aluminum. However, the future of the industry may not be quite so bright if the tariffs are repealed.
- by Leon Mengri
- February 22 2019
- cleaning supplies
- environment
- green cleaning
- services & miscellaneous
Cleaning Companies Increasingly Offer Environmentally Friendly Options
Organizations and households are increasingly paying attention to the types of cleaning chemicals they use due to concerns about toxicity and environmental impact. Contract cleaning firms are sensitive to client concerns about cleaning chemicals, because they have to compete strongly to win contracts in a fragmented industry with many participants.
- by Owen Stuart
- February 22 2019
- automotive
- Metals & Minerals
Four Reasons the CAFE Rollback is Meaningless
The July 2018 rollback of the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards has roused debate, but any change that occurs is likely to be minimal at best.
- by Owen Stuart
- February 22 2019
- Industrials
- Metals & Minerals
Advent of Additive (3D) Manufacturing Adds to Machine Tool Shops’ Capabilities
Roy Amara once said, “We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run”. In the machine tool market, additive manufacturing promises to be revolutionary, enabling the production of parts that would be nigh-impossible to create with conventional machine tools. How is additive manufacturing going to impact the types of parts and profitability of machine shops in the future?
- by Chris Dyer
- February 22 2019
- data
- services & miscellaneous
- technology
The New Data Privacy Landscape
Data breaches have regularly been in the news over the past few years. From the Equifax breach to the Marriott breach – and seemingly every company in-between – it is abundantly clear that data security will grow increasingly complex and critical in the future. Maintaining data security and privacy requires diligent, proactive measures to be taken not only by data handlers, but also by legislators and consumers.
- by Chris Dyer
- January 29 2019
- services & miscellaneous
- storage
No Vacancy: Developers Finding Novel Ways to Satisfy Self-Storage Demand
Self-storage facilities are on the rise, particularly in the western United States. Service providers are finding creative ways to pinpoint optimal locations for climate-controlled units and an increasing number are turning vacant commercial properties – the blight of the e-commerce boom – into conveniently-located self-storage spaces.
- by Owen Stuart
- January 28 2019
- Packaging
- sustainability
Sustainable Packaging’s Winners & Losers
Corporate America is changing its ways as consumers demand sustainable packaging. For example, McDonald’s expects to use 100% renewable, recycled, or Forest Stewardship Council Certified packaging by 2025, while PepsiCo intends to use 100% recyclable packaging. Here’s a look at which packaging materials are in position to see the biggest benefits – and the biggest losses – from the shift to sustainable packaging.
- by Leon Mengri
- January 25 2019
- services & miscellaneous
Update: Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers Continue to Outperform the Airline Industry
Ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) disrupted the US airline industry with a new business model – discounted fares in exchange for stripped-down service – and they continue to enjoy significant success. Global revenues for Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Travel Company, two of the three leading ULCCs in the country, grew at an average annual rate of 15% over the 2010-2017 period, roughly 3.6 times faster than the airline industry overall. Frontier Airlines is the other ULCC that participates in the US airline industry but is not publicly traded and does not publish financial data.
Alternative Products Make Inroads Into the Meat & Poultry Market
Suppliers of fresh, frozen, and processed meat and poultry are facing increased competition from producers of meat substitutes. Manufacturers of such products include Beyond Meat, Kellogg Company’s MorningStar Farms, and Impossible Foods. As these companies continue to improve the taste and texture (e.g., ability to sizzle on a grill) of plant-based patties and other meat substitutes, more individuals are experimenting with these products. The increased availability of meat substitutes on restaurant menus and grocery store shelves is also spurring sales.