Historical trends, contemporary patterns in the futures markets and expert opinions can all provide support for energy buyers' most challenging decisions.
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Despite the housing slowdown in the U.S., the trend to make bathrooms larger and more luxurious is benefiting the ceramic tile and sanitaryware markets. However, dinnerware and pottery manufacturers continue to face pricing pressures and steep competition from low-cost producers.
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Fast computers, which allow machines to perform complex tasks, have become a commodity. Additionally, advances in sensor technology allow measuring parameters that were not possible a few years ago. This increased capability has heightened the demand for automated components, driving their prices down. As a result, an increasing number of companies are able to take advantage of all the benefits automation has to offer.
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What trends are emerging in decorative finishes, and what factors are driving those trends? To answer those questions, CI talked with several leading suppliers of colors, glazes, precious metals and other decorating technologies.
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The past two years have been challenging for many dinnerware manufacturers, as the weak global economy has made consumers reluctant to travel and spend.
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Material advances can help increase the performance and lower the cost of solid oxide fuel cells.
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More than 250 European managers from the chemical, construction and base material industries reveal how they address higher costs, inflation, and collapsing margins.
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The year 2002 held many surprises for the ceramic tile industry. According to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and Customs Department, factory shipments plus imports totaled 2.63 billion square feet in 2002 - an increase of 15.7% over 2001.
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After an extremely difficult year in 2001, many manufacturers serving the high-tech markets saw sales fall an additional 5-15% in 2002 as a result of continued weakness in the electronics sector, particularly in corporate information technology, semiconductors and telecommunications.
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Interviews with several clay and mineral suppliers provide a behind-the-scenes look at pricing pressures, recent innovations and manufacturing trends in the ceramic industry.
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I guess I’m just not that competitive-minded in general, but it seems like all of that jockeying for position would be exhausting.
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According to “Consumers, Brands and Climate Change 2008,” consumers are motivated to address climate change issues, and they believe that doing so will help the economy.
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