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KBC launches hoseconnections

E-newsletter for the hose and accessories market is sponsored by NAHAD—The Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution and published by industry experts at Keough Business Communications

Keough Business Communications published the first issue of hoseconnections, an e-newsletter targeting manufacturers, distributors, and end users of industrial hose and accessories, October 1.

hoseconnections includes news, features, technical articles, and in-depth interviews with leaders in the hose and accessories industry. The debut issue features a Q&A with Jeff Crane, president and CEO of hose distributor Lewis-Goetz Co., along with stories on manufacturer-distributor relationships, NAHAD’s hose assembly guidelines, and more. Click here to see the debut issue: http://www.keoughbusinesscommunications.com/newsletters/hoseconnections/issue1/index.html

Keough Business Communications is a full-service marketing and communications firm serving business-to-business customers and specializing in distribution and manufacturing. Led by former Industrial Distribution magazine editor Jack Keough and managing editor Victoria Fraza Kickham, KBC combines industry knowledge with communications expertise to help distributors, manufacturers, trade associations, buying groups and others connect with their trading partners. For more information, go to www.keoughbusinesscommunications.com.

PR Contact:
Victoria Fraza Kickham
vkickham@keoughbusinesscommunications.com
617-875-5956

Few would choose manufacturing as a career

Trying to get young people into the manufacturing sector appears to be a daunting task, according to the results of a new study. In fact, fewer than a third of Americans would choose manufacturing if they were starting their careers now, according to an article by Reuters News Service that finds pessimism about the long-term direction of U.S. industry.

The article, detailing the results of a survey conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, finds that technology and energy are the most popular career fields, followed by healthcare and communications. Manufacturing ranked sixth, behind financial services and ahead of retail, which was the least attractive sector, according to the poll of about 1,000 Americans. A year ago, in the midst of a recession and a massive financial sector bailout, those polled preferred manufacturing to finance as a career choice.

The survey found 30 percent of Americans would encourage their child to pursue a job in manufacturing, the same proportion who said so a year ago. That is even though large majorities say a strong industrial base should be a national priority with additional investment, and consider manufacturing an important contributor to Americans' standard of living and to national security. Most respondents also said they consider manufacturing a high-tech profession that requires a well-educated, skilled workforce. They just do not believe its outlook is strong enough to cultivate a career. Those expecting the manufacturing sector to weaken over the long term outnumber by five to one those who expect it to strengthen.

Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute tie that pessimism to concerns about government trade and business policy, tax rates, and environmental regulation, which—they argue—place U.S. industry at a global disadvantage.

"The public seems to be getting over its negative view of manufacturing as being dirty and dangerous work for unskilled laborers," said Emily DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute. "What the public needs now is stability and certainty from policymakers. Without that, the public cannot commit itself to a manufacturing renaissance in the United States."

We want to know what you think. Is manufacturing still a viable career path in the United States? What should the government be doing to encourage careers in manufacturing? Please send your responses to Victoria Kickham at vkickham@keoughbusinesscommunications.com or Jack Keough at keoughbiz@gmail.com.