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How new US tariffs will affect big business and consumers

Dr. Samantha Bietsch Civil & Government

We have heard a lot recently about the new U.S. tariffs on imported goods and services and how they will affect American business. While some in business favor the new tariffs, others do not. Some of these opinions are based on facts; others are not. Although improving the domestic economy sounds like a great idea, increasing tariffs on U.S. imports does not come without retaliation from other nations. Just as Americans buy foreign products, other nations buy American-made products and crops.

Building community, fostering creativity: A collaborative workspace for…

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Collaborative or co-working spaces provide a supportive environment where self-employed individuals can gather with other professionals and have access to the amenities of a commercial office setting. They have been a part of tech culture for some years now, but have not really caught on as yet with the A&D community. That may change with the launch of a new collaborative design studio for designers and architects, hosted by a Chicago design-build firm.

What to know about distributing your products in North America

Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

North America, and the United States in particular, is one of the largest markets for selling just about everything, particularly home furnishing products. And while the rewards can be great, the cost of entry is also great. The problem is directly related to the size of both the U.S. and Canada, as well as the diversity within each country in terms of regions and their buying needs. If you are a manufacturer considering entering the marketplace, there are a few considerations to know. Additionally, this article is going to focus on the modes of distribution in the design trade community.

Replacing NAFTA: A better 3-country pact ahead?

Seth Sandronsky Civil & Government

Canada and the U.S. have renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which took effect Jan. 1, 1994. President Trump, who called NAFTA "the worst trade deal ever," praised its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "Promise made, promise kept," the president said on Twitter, of his campaign pledge to renegotiate NAFTA to improve trade fairness for American businesses, consumers and workers. That stance resonated with voters, especially in Rust Belt states where blue-collar employment has plummeted.

Beyond prototyping: Scaling up to additive manufacturing for production

Charlie Wood Manufacturing

Most are well-acquainted with additive manufacturing (AM) — as a rapid prototyping tool, at least. And while many companies believe and perpetuate the myth that AM is only a prototyping tool, innovators in a range of markets (e.g., aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods and more) are already using AM for production-grade manufacturing when design, performance and cost factors align. This article will help organizations considering switching to additive manufacturing for a part or product.

The power of the pop-up: ‘Temporary use’ strategies in US cities

Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building Materials

The concept of "temporary" or "meanwhile use" goes back to long before the term slipped into the narrative of urban policy agendas. The first time an enterprising trader rolled a food truck into an empty square, they were practicing temporary urbanism. But today the "temporary use" movement is taking on a new light and even becoming a mainstream strategy. The approach fits with the new, more flexible approach to urban planning we are increasingly seeing currently. Approaches vary, but the philosophy is one that views empty lots not as an urban problem or eyesore, but instead as opportunities.

Homebuying softens as market idles

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Purchases of existing single-family homes remained flat in August as the gap between consumer demand and affordable inventory widened. New home sales rose for the first time since May, but figures for June and July were revised downward. With many would-be buyers unable or unwilling to purchase a home at current rates, pressure has been building to lower costs. And housing prices, while not yet receding, have begun to rise more slowly in some parts of the country, perhaps an indication that the market is hitting its peak.

Carolinas’ historic flooding from Florence makes strong case for…

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

Less than two weeks ago, Hurricane Florence came ashore, impacting the Carolinas and Virginia. Just when you thought the rain had ceased, the region is expecting more. This amount of rainfall is historic, coming in second among storms, with 17.5 inches of rainfall compared to Hurricane Harvey’s 25.6 inches in a 14,000-square-mile area. That’s 8 trillion gallons of rain for the Carolinas — with more on the way. Georgetown, South Carolina, for example, has been evacuated as the area is expected to flood due to multiple rivers converging.

Walmart warns about new trade policy with China

Seth Sandronsky Retail

When Walmart warns President Trump about his trade policy, does he listen? This is no academic question, as the president exercised his legal authority to hike U.S. tariffs of 10 percent on $200 billion of Chinese imports, climbing to 25 percent in January 2019. On Sept. 6, Sarah F. Thorn, senior director for global government affairs with Walmart — the U.S.' biggest private-sector employer — wrote to the United States Trade Representative in a letter, "The immediate impact will be to raise prices on consumers and tax American business and manufacturers."

How to keep your work environment safe

Lisa Mulcahy Facilities & Grounds

These easy, research-driven common-sense tips will nip many problems in the bud, keep you informed in case of emergencies, and create a much less hazardous daily environment.

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