ThomasNet News is live on location at the Atlantic Design and Manufacturing show in Philadelphia, Pa. The event combines seven events in one, and features 1,000 additional suppliers of materials, equipment, systems, and services used in product design and development. Read more

The U.S. water infrastructure breaks once each minute and about 540,000 times each year. The entire network is comprised of about 1.8 million miles of water distribution lines. Because of the age of the infrastructure, however, it leaks about six billion gallons of fresh water per day, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Read more

The U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA), popularly known as Obamacare, includes greater support for employers who offer wellness and prevention programs to employees. However, some critics argue that such programs do not improve employee health or reduce health care costs. Read more

There’s no question whether manufacturers should establish rules governing if and how employees may use social media. Of course they should. The bigger issue is understanding what is and is not legal to regulate, and what kinds of restrictions are good for business. Read more

Early-stage entrepreneurship is at its highest level in more than a decade. More interestingly, Americans believe there are good opportunities for starting manufacturing businesses. Read more

Plus:
Industrial Output Rises in Europe
Survey: CEOs Slightly More Optimistic About Hiring, Sales
More Small Businesses are Exporting
Jobless Claims Reach Lowest Levels in Five Years Read more

Midway through 2013, little progress has been made in Washington to address the nation’s immediate economic challenges. What looked like a promising year in January is looking less so six months later.  Read more