World News

Rebound Follows Tough 2012

The Manufacturing Alliance for Productivity and Innovation predicts 4.0-percent manufacturing growth in Latin America – good news after a down year for the region.
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As the Chinese renminbi rapidly becomes one of the world’s most important trading currencies, it represents creative business prospects. Ian Taylor (senior vice president and regional divisional director for North America, Western Union Business Solutions) considers opportunities.
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The best way to understand the current business climate is by mixing some metaphors, and that means mixing what you read in the newspaper business section with what you scan in the statistics section of the sports pages. Think of global economy in terms of a baseball season: Come late September, a team’s fortune will be decided by a late-season surge or a precipitous slide. The United States—once a perennial front runner—is getting buried in the standings by countries (teams, if you will) such as Mexico and Brazil, which were once “second division” also-rans. The US needs to make a managerial change – to bring in someone who can rethink development programs, and make a run to the post-season, and to avoid what happened in the United Kingdom and Germany. Those countries smoked a trick cigar that exploded in their face. SHL wasn’t laughing. It brushed away the ashes and offered a strategy.
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According to a recent KPMG survey, US mid-sized companies are increasing their focus on global expansion, to drive their growth and profits. Many anticipate increases in non-US revenues, facilities, and employment rosters during the next five years.
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Manufacturing in Brazil and Argentina is experiencing a slowdown, while Mexico’s manufacturers are in better shape. A new Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) report reveals why.
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The global industrials and chemicals sector has been one of the liveliest markets for mergers and acquisitions. We can expect another strong year of activity, according to a recently released report. But while acquirers’ M&A appetite remains healthy, they’re more closely monitoring their deal-making diet.
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Results from a recent survey confirm that a significant number of large manufacturers are considering reshoring from China to the United States. Among other factors, companies cite logistics and rising Chinese wages as reasons for reconsidering where they manufacture.
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Export Development Canada uncovers a trade-driven growth buried beneath a “new normal” storyline. It presents a forecast that indicates recovery.
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Brazil’s rapidly growing middle class and complex intellectual property infrastructure has created challenges and opportunities for international businesses, according to a recent report issued by Thomson Reuters. Because of the nation’s steady growth in patent and trademark activity, the company refers to Brazil as “the grown up BRIC.”
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New and revitalized infrastructure is critical to the world’s economic health. Global engineering and construction companies rapidly adapt to meet the demand, according to a recent KMPG survey. But they face substantial barriers – lack of government policies and leadership, and lack of investment (public and private), represent the biggest challenges.
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