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The article presents an update on the economic performance of the U.S. as of April 1955. A Federal Reserve Board report revealed growth in industrial production in 1955 compared to the previous year. Economists raise concern over the way Americans were incurring debt and indications of financial recklessness are identified including increases in outstanding consumer credit, surrenders of life insurance policies and non-farm real estate mortgage foreclosures.

The article discusses the performance of the electronics industry in America as measured by yardsticks of profitability and growth for the years 1967-1971. Topics examined include the mix of disastrous, fair, and record-breaking output across different areas of the business, the competition from foreign manufacturers, and spending on electrical products in the consumer and industrial sectors. Also discussed is the price war in the semiconductor industry.

The article looks at economic productivity in the U.S. as of 1971 with particular focus given to comments by Patrick Haggerty, chairman of electronics manufacturer Texas Instruments. Productivity in education, government services, and private industry is discussed. Topics addressed include inflation, economic growth, and the productivity-consciousness of the U.S. government.

An interview with senior economist Edward F. Denison is presented. When asked about the reason for European industrial workers being paid less than American ones, he refers to the lower productivity of the former compared to the one of the latter. Denison believes that the number of U.S. workers receiving education is bigger than this in Europe. He also comments on Italy's development in the field of education.

The article reports on the record progress of businesses in the Pacific Coast and the American Bankers Association's 1926 annual convention in Los Angeles. Topics discussed include the successful effort of bankers to help the communities prosper since the last conference in 1921, the 130 percent increase in the registration of automobiles that indicates a progressive economy and comparison of industrial productivity in Portland, Seattle and Spokane.

The article discusses the benefits of proper illumination in factories. The author says correct and adequate artificial illumination in factories merits careful consideration from plant managers. The indirect benefits are reduction in accidents, promotion of greater safety and better morale among workers and thereby minimum labor turnover, and protection of employee health. The greater ability to see with proper illumination leads to decreases in spoilage and thus increases in production.

The article asserts that the American motor car is the most variously distributed and most widely known American product in 1926. The author says it is used in almost every part of the world, even in those parts whose remoteness has been beyond the reach of American movies. It is stated that more than 300,000 American motor cars were shipped abroad the previous year, and that it is predicted that in a few years, 25 percent of car production will be sold abroad.

The article discusses why the Maryland Casualty Co. relocated its business to the Baltimore suburbs in 1924. According to company president F. Highland Burns, the transfer was necessitated by the overcrowded conditions of the present home office building and to provide unlimited extension of the office for future growth. Burns added that a comfortable surroundings could also result in better productivity among his employees.

The article discusses developments related to the manufacturing industries in the U.S. as of November 25, 1922. Topics discussed include the improvement in efficiency in the manufacturing sector, various ways that manufacturers have tried to improve the efficiency of workers and factors limiting the profitability of retailers' operations. Also highlighted are the implications of unionization of labor for retailers' business and the expected emphasis on efficiency of corporate buyers.

The article discusses developments in the U.S. chemical industry, particularly in the plastics segment, as of mid-May 1954. According to the Society of the Plastics Industry, output is expected to increase by another 5% to 3,150,000,000 pounds in 1954. It cites John Wesley Hyatt as the producer of the first commercial plastic in the country. Among the firms in the sector are Allied Chemical & Dye, Monsanto and Union Carbide & Carbon.

The article discusses the strong performance of the aircraft industry in the U.S. as of January 1942. It mentions that the popularity of the industry causes experts to train the public to accept aircraft as they accept bicycle and automobile. According to the author, the improvement also expands the production of aircraft for defense purposes.

The article offers new briefs on U.S. business in 1940. The leveling-off process in industrial production continues and business activity remains high above the previous year's performance. Veteran stock market observers predict a possible rise as businesses have greater optimism for 1940. Business opportunities in Latin-American markets are ready for U.S. manufacturers.

The article explores how U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is demanding immediate further extension of Federal controls over every fundamental function of both production and distribution. It mentions about sweeping constitutional amendment vesting vast new powers in the Federal Government. It also mentions about concern of Roosevelt over delicately balanced diplomatic situation in Europe.

The article focuses on competitive economic system with the right to existence depends upon the ability of industry to serve the public interest and employed in the operations of industry and information on Dodge automobile by Chrysler Corp. It mentions technological progress means greater productivity for the wage earner and higher wage scales. It also mentions building industry passed through five years of steadily deepening depression.

The article reports on the growing demand for automatic machine tools in the U.S. It discusses the impact of the growing demand on company stocks and the benefits provided by the tools to businesses in terms of productivity. It profiles several companies that specialize in making labor-saving machinery, such as chemicals and gas company Air Reduction Co., Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. and the Burroughs Adding Machine Co. Factors behind the increased demand are also discussed.

The article discusses the desirability of investing in companies that are both increasing their work forces and becoming more productive. Amid an economic downturn many firms have achieved earnings growth through layoffs and other cost-cutting efforts. Howard Schilit of consultant Financial Shenanigans Detection Group warns that firms with rising productivity per employee but a headcount that isn't increasing may not feel confident about their business prospects. An accompanying chart gives data on several companies that are boosting productivity and payrolls including medical-equipment maker Hologic and Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

Discusses the people in business that go unnoticed and their contributions. Statement that the people responsible for any productivity gains are those who adapt technology, refashion production techniques, and packaging designs; Discussion of the companies these people work for; How individually none of them are integral but their collaborative efforts make a difference.

The article focuses on the difference of the Intergovernmental Council of Copper Exporting Countries (CIPEC) from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), with emphasis on the difficulty experienced by CIPEC in raising copper prices in 1974. Topics discussed include the highlights of a meeting held by CIPEC in June 1974 in Zambia, the reasons why CIPEC failed to raise the prices of copper where OPEC and Jamaica succeed and the expected rise in the production of copper.

The article discusses the business performance of Paccar Inc., a manufacturer of Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy-duty trucks. Topics covered include Paccar's involvement in the production of other vehicles, such as freight cars and rubber-tired vehicles for open-pit and underground mining, the firm's return on equity, how the company caters to independent owner-operators and other customers, and the views of Paccar President Charles Pigott on the truck market.

The article provides details about the "Operation Bootstrap" economic development program implemented in Puerto Rico as of May 15, 1974. Special attention is paid to economic advisor Robert R. Nathan's opinion on the program. Other topics addressed include Puerto Rico's business tax exemptions, industrial productivity, and political environment, described by the author as "highly stable."

Reports on the transportation industry as part of the Annual Report on American Industry. Railroads; Trucking and shipping; Air freight; Mergers. INSET: Southern comfort (discusses Norfolk Southern railroad....

The article features news stories that are published in past issues of "Forbes" magazine from September 1, 1927 to September 1, 1977 which include the impact of President Calvin Coolidge's decision not to run for another term, volume of activity in the mutual fund sector and start of increase in industrial productivity. Also mentioned are the release of the magazine's third Arabic edition and failure of major steel companies to pay dividends.

The article reports on development in the chemical industry in 1986 in the U.S. After the industry endured overcapacity during the 1970s due to over production, it again gained momentum after it adopted restructuring in 1986. Moreover, the weakening dollar is also fueling the robust activity in the industry which has already reached 81% productivity and overall earnings has increased by 1.1%. INSET: Most improved (p. 93).

The article comments on the market share of the manufacturing industry in the U.S. The market share of the industry declined from 30 percent to 20 percent. Services have risen from 60 to 68 percent of the dollar economy. Industrial production has increased by around 14 percent but the capacity figures have stayed at the 80 to 82 percent range.

The article presents information about Owens-Illinois Inc., a manufacturer of glass bottles. Owens-Illinois hasn't phased out of glass container manufacturing, hasn't milked its eight-decade-old business as a cash cow. On the contrary, the company has done a heroic job of modernizing its glass business, investing $600 million over the last five years to completely realign production and increase output. Today it stands head and shoulders above its competitors, with productivity 33% above the industry average.

The article focuses on the future of steel minimills in the United States. The article reports on Minimills melt scrap metal in electric furnaces to produce their products, typically commodity items like bars, rods and wire. The minimills thus avoided the larger capital costs of mills that start with ore. A survey of ministeel companies by Paine Webber showed average losses of $4 a ton pretax in 1983, compared with a profit of $44 a ton in 1974. That is a better showing than the $88-a-ton 1983 loss for big steel. But were it not for Nucor, whose consistent profitability sets it apart, the results for ministeel would have been much worse.

The article presents news related to business enterprises in the United States. New York ranks highest by far in a study of 38 cities in eight Western European nations, Australia and the U.S. Retail space in New York is very expensive. The U.S. is now second only to Iran in pistachio nuts, and production is still climbing, but the tax collectors are not making it any easier. Pistachio acreage sprouted from 600 in 1968 to 47,000 in 1985, two-thirds of it producing, and nearly 2,000 acres are being added annually.

The article focuses on the effect of industrial productivity on the U.S. economy. Many Democrats tend to think the U.S. economy is still caught in the productivity slump that overtook the whole industrial world in the early Seventies. The whole structure of what brought down the growth rate in the Seventies is being, if not eliminated, at least ameliorated. The recession of 1981-1982 was the turning point, decimating the inflation rate, squeezing out a lot of excess capacity, strengthening the U.S. dollar and making foreign goods more competitive. Unemployment is still sky-high at 7% to 7.5%, and so is inflation at 4%, at least compared with what the U.S. used to consider normal. All too often improving productivity means eliminating labor, just as the use of low-cost imports does.

The article discusses the improvement of office productivity as a way to counterbalance low industrial productivity as of October 1983. Topics include an economic model by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researcher Charles Jonscher showing that new technological applications help increase office productivity, information creation and processing as an important economic sector, and the effect of increasing computer literacy on office output.

The article presents an interview with economist Lawrence Olson conducted as of April 1983. Topics include Olson's expectations for labor supply in the U.S., U.S. unemployment rates, and the need for changes in the U.S. economy. Other topics include the implications of the increase in industrial productivity for the overall employment in the U.S.

The article discusses developments in the global robotics industry as of mid-March 1983. It focuses on the rise of Japanese robot production to catch up with the leading U.S. companies. Among the top U.S. manufacturer are Cincinnati Milacron and Westinghouse subsidiary Unimation. The Japanese makers include Hitachi and Mitsubishi. The opinions of Advanced Robotics Corp.'s Paul Allegretto and Daiwa Securities America's Paul Aron on the developments are also cited.

A letter to the editor is presented about the efforts by unions in the labor sector to improve productivity in the January 17, 1983 issue.

The article looks at U.S. machine toolmaker Cincinnati Milacron as of August 1982. Topics include the company's business performance, the use of robots in manufacturing and its impact on industrial productivity and labor costs, and the Milacron's investments in research and development in the field of robotics. Other topics include U.S. metal frames manufacturer Dahlstrom Manufacturing Co. and its utilization of robots for arc welding. Comments from Milacron chairman James Geier are included. INSET: Good news.

The article focuses on the business of the U.S. induction motors and arc-welding equipment manufacturer Lincoln Electric Co. as of July 1982. Topics include the company's productivity gains, financial statements, and competition in the sector. Also reviewed are the motivation of its workers and their fringe benefits.

The article reports that the strong U.S. dollar contributed to the increase of wages, decrease of productivity and a 34 billion dollar foreign trade revenue loss in 1982. Topics discussed include the complaint of Europeans on the increase of interest rates, proposal for the Federal Reserve to focus on keeping the inflation rate down and the possibility of a recession due to an imbalance in export and import trade.

The article looks at inflation and recession in several major trading countries. Topics discussed include the Socialist government of French President Francois Mitterrand is committed to extending social problems with industrial production down by 7 percent and inflation at 4 percent, 5.7 percent inflation rate in Germany and Japan's belief that boosting economic activity and bringing down unit costs is the way to beat inflation.

The author examines the investment climate and media coverage of the financial sector in the U.S. in 1981. According to the author, there has been an increasing number of stories in the media about the U.S. shift toward conservatism since the election of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The author notes that the new financial buzzwords in the U.S. in 1981 are reindustrialization and productivity.

The article reports on the profits growth posted by SKF, a manufacturer of specialty steels, high-speed drills and other cutting tools and ball-bearings, in 1980 despite the high wages and low productivity in Sweden. Figures provided indicate the company's margins from its ball-bearing business and its total returns on sales. The rationalization approach of SKF to production is discussed. An outlook on the future of the Swedish industry and Sweden's codetermination practice is presented.

The article discusses several business trends in the U.S. as of February 1981. It mentions the expression of wealth in units in Texas, the outplacement counseling provided by Allied Chemical to its middle managers who got pink slips in spring and the interest of state governments in real estate transfer tax amid taxpayer revolts. Also noted are topics on the nonacceptance of the Susan B. Anthony dollar, production increase in the ice cream industry and the driving safety records in the country.

The article looks at the Republic of Ireland as of August 1980 with a focus on the efforts of Ireland's Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to improve economic conditions in the country. Topics include U.S. investments in Ireland, the tax benefits enjoyed by foreign companies on the island, and Ireland's workforce. Other topics include labor unions and industrial relations in Ireland, and the country's industrial productivity.

Presents a summary of 1,280 companies and their performance in 1996 for the 49th Annual report on American industry. Median performance; Average return on equity; Indications; Information about calculating results; Profitability; Growth rates; Time period; Definitions.

Examines the Forbes Index as of September 25, 1995. The increase in the wages and salaries for American workers since the start of 1995; Industrial production index; New unemployment claims; New housing starts; Retail sales; Manufacturers' new orders and inventories; Personal income; Consumer installment credit; Other key rates.

The article discusses a work model developed by Stanford University computer scientists Terry Winograd and Fernando Flores to maintain the productivity of employees in industries dominated by information technology. Topics covered include the commitment of individuals to complete their transactions, creation of a loop to prevent duplication and conversion of the model into a computer software by a company founded in 1983 called Action Technologies.

Presents an interview with Czech Republic Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus. Statistics on industrial production in Eastern and Central Europe; Views on foreign investors and criticism of the media; Discussion on why Czech Republic will not return to communism.

The article presents information on Jacksonville, Florida-based Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. The stocks of the company are down over 40% since early 1993. The company is having trouble controlling its costs. Winn-Dixie, which runs about 1,160 stores in 13 states from North Carolina to Texas, has lots to praise. Sales have been expanding, thanks to new stores, better buying practices and an improved product mix at its bigger stores. The most recent quarter was disappointing because pay raises granted in January weren't compensated for by enhanced productivity.

The article focuses on the reasons for the relentless shedding of jobs by the companies listed in the Forbes 500, between 1980 and 1993. Since the recovery officially began, in March 1991, big American corporations have announced the elimination of nearly 1.8 million more jobs. Each of the companies listed in the chart has announced plans to reduce its payroll by at least 10,000 workers. The big businesses mostly compete internationally, which means that they must constantly improve productivity.

The article looks at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based PPG Industries Inc. and ponders whether chief executive officer Jerry Dempsey can expand the company's revenue base. With likely sales of $6 billion in 1993, PPG is America's biggest glass producer. It makes windshields for cars and airplanes, windows for homes and commercial buildings. It's also the world's leading supplier of auto and industrial paints, and a major player in house and building coatings. PPG's big customers--autos and building--are down, but its gross margins are up, thanks to cost ting and productivity gains. The stock market seems to think Dempsey has a shot at making these numbers. Aside from the automotive and housing markets, this means more expansion abroad and strengthening PPG's position in furniture and industrial finishes. Some PPG watchers speculate Dempsey may try to spur growth by making a major acquisition, adding another leg to the company.

The article presents information on junk bond funds. These funds invest in below-investment grade corporate debt. Junk bonds, dependent on corporate cash flows and general economic cycles, tend to behave as much like stocks as bonds. Since most junk matures in seven to ten years, the variation in total return among these funds comes not from different maturities but from different levels of credit risk. Some like Fidelity Capital & Income, feast on defaulted bonds. Others, like Vanguard Fixed Income-High Yield, prefer better-quality junk.

The article looks at discussions around the notion that despite investments, computers haven’t made a significant contribution to worker productivity in the U.S., known as the productivity paradox, as of 1993. The author offers a potential explanation based on the example of electric power and its introduction in industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He further suggests that the falling prices of computers will eventually offset costs and productivity will grow.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "When Quotas Replace Merit, Everybody Suffer," in the February 15, 1993 issue, topic about rewarding employees without requiring performance in return and the moral and productivity damage incurred by implementation of allotment and timetables.