John Sprovieri

Bothered by lingering economic uncertainty, assemblers are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward capital equipment investment next year.

A European medical device manufacturer uses a laser welding system from Leister Process Technologies to assemble a new infusion pump.

In October, three class-action lawsuits were filed against several major automotive suppliers, alleging the companies engaged in a “massive, decade-long conspiracy to unlawfully fix and artificially raise the price” of wire harnesses. As shocking and disappointing as the allegations are, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Small investments in protective covers and tools can spare assemblers the cost of repairing accidental damage to finished goods.

The Assembly Top 50 devoted $110.6 billion to capital expenditures in 2010. That’s 9 percent more than they spent in 2009, but it’s 21 percent less than they spent in 2008. Only 15 of the Top 50 spent more on property, plants and equipment in 2010 than they spent in 2008.

After a dismal 2009, our Top 50 manufacturers are back in the black.

The Assembly Top 50 helped to lead the U.S. economy out of recession, but the picture was not entirely rosy.

Although Memphis ranks third in the United States in violent crime and second in property crime, the federal government is seemingly more worried about the wood Gibson guitars uses in its products.

The FDA should develop a new regulatory framework to replace the 510(k) clearance process for moderate-risk medical devices, advises a report issued July 29 by the Institute of Medicine.