Manufacturing

Report: 20.2 Million Jobs Lost in April

Private-sector employment lost 20.2 million positions between April and May, according to the ADP National Employment Report, making it the biggest drop in its history. "Job losses of this scale are unprecedented," said Ahu Yildirmaz, co-head of the ADP Research… more

About 17% at Triumph Foods’ St. Joe Plant COVID-19 Positive

About 17 percent of the 2,700-strong workforce at Triumph Foods pork plant in St. Joseph have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those that tested positive, about 90 percent of the workers were asymptomatic, said Triumph CEO Mark Campbell.  "Those with… more

Garmin Quarter Strong in Face of COVID-19

Garmin was a rare bright spot in public-company earnings during its first quarter despite an economy challenged by COVID-19. The Olathe-based GPS-device maker saw earnings per share rise 25 percent quarter over quarter, while revenues were up 17 percent year… more

Seaboard Reports $103M Loss

Merriam-based Seaboard Corp. reported a $103 million loss during its most recent quarter, a big drop from the same year-ago period, when the company earned $57 million. Net sales did rise, hitting about $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion last year.… more

Stueve Siegel Files Insurance Suit for Lenexa Firm

Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP has filed a class action lawsuit against The Cincinnati Insurance Company that alleges a breach of contract stemming from its refusal to pay property insurance claims related to COVID-19. The law firm is representing Lenexa-based Promotional… more

KC Fed Manufacturing Survey Hits Record Low

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's month manufacturing survey examining the region had its lowest reading in its history since launching in 1994. “Regional factory activity continued to decline in April, with our composite index falling to the lowest… more

Conagra Plant in Marshall Shutting Down

A Conagra plant in Marhsall, Mo., is shutting down after about 20 employees there tested positive for COVID-19. The plant, which reportedly was already practicing social distancing and making sanitation efforts, is set to reopen on April 27. The company… more

Smithfield Foods Closing Martin City Plant

Smithfield Foods is indefinitely closing its Martin City plant, which employs about 400 workers. The move follows the closure of a Sioux Falls, S.D. plant, which is considered one of the biggest COVID-19 hotspots in the United States, where hundreds… more

KC’s Industrial Vacancy Stays Low

The industrial commercial real estate sector was still on track during the first quarter, according to a recent CBRE report.  Vacancy rates were at 4.6 percent, the same as they were during the previous quarter, says the commercial real estate… more

Singer Owner Partners With KC Sewing Non-Profit

SVP Worldwide, the owner of Singer, Viking and other sewing-machine brands, has partnered with Rightfully Sewn, a Kansas City-based non-profit that provides seamstress training. SVP donated 30 sewing machines to the organization, which has made a switch from fashion apparel… more