Another landmark is about to be reached in the ongoing fuel crisis. At $3.95/gallon as of May 12, the city of San Francisco looks like it will become the first in the country to record an average gasoline price over $4/gallon for regular unleaded. Of course, this is nothing new to truckers, farmers and other users of diesel fuel who have been paying well over $4/gallon for months now.    

And worse, prices can only be expected to continue their upward climb as the season of high demand gets into full swing in the coming months.     Read the rest of this entry »

According to a recent survey, the economy has become the most important issue facing our country – surpassing the Iraq war, staggering gas prices and health care. With that in mind, it seems that the timing of the 2008 income tax rebate checks couldn’t be better.

The checks, up to $600 for qualifying individuals and $1,200 for couples (and more for couples with children), began arriving the week of April 28 and will continue throughout the summer months. The stimulus plan also contains incentives for businesses to invest in new plants and equipment. Read the rest of this entry »

A recent study sponsored by The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers found that 75 percent of Americans favor a government program that would provide any qualified U.S. resident with two free years of post-high school education or training.

The survey contended that one of the reasons the US emerged as a world economic super power following World War 1 was the implementation of compulsory secondary education. As the world’s economy has developed, the study says, so too has the need to increase the skill sets of today’s young adults beyond just secondary education.    Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to the skilled trades, the saying “the children are the future” is more than just a cliché.  As baby boomers retire in the coming years, and with anticipated demand for even more skilled workers than we have today, this country will be left with a severe gap in the construction industry workforce. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) states that the construction industry will need to add 1.2 million new jobs by the year 2012.      

Because the construction industry creates the infrastructure that we depend on for even our most basic needs, our quality of life is at stake.  Just imagine that if the construction industry does not attract and recruit all the workforce needed – who will build, repair and maintain our, roads, highways, bridges, sewer and water systems?  Read the rest of this entry »

Common wisdom tells us that the economy is in poor shape and that the construction industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors. You would never know it, however, judging by the attendance and general mood at the 2008 CONEXPO/CON-AGG trade show in Las Vegas this week. Read the rest of this entry »

There hasn’t been much good news lately on the state of the economy, and the welding industry has been no different.

Many economists are predicting the current economic slowdown will last up to two years or more, and a recent poll by Fortune magazine found that 75 percent of Americans believe the country is headed for a recession or is in one now.    Read the rest of this entry »

In few industries does the old saying “It’s a man’s world” apply more than in welding. Women have made great strides in establishing themselves as competent workers in industries traditionally dominated by men. However, women continue to be severely underrepresented in the welding world. Why is this? Read the rest of this entry »

    Marty Rice, a welding instructor at the High School Career Center in Texas, wrote an excellent column this month on why he became a welder and why he stayed in the trade. You can read the article here.

    Rice writes about terrible hours, unbearable temperatures, fatal on-the-job injuries and a host of other unpleasant circumstances that can go along with being a welder.

    But he also talks about good, sometimes excellent, pay, being able to travel all over the world, the great camaraderie and other rewards that can also be experienced as a welder. Read the rest of this entry »

By now, we’re all aware that as the baby boomer generation retires and fewer young people enter the industrial trades, there will be a critical shortage of qualified welders.

By most estimates, the shortage will begin hitting full stride around 2010 and 2011. As disheartening as this might be for the economy and U.S. manufacturing, times have never looked better for skilled welders. Read the rest of this entry »

The season of shopping, cooking, eating and caroling is now past, and we hope your holidays were filled with joy and merriment. Right on its heels, however, comes a new season — the season of resolutions.

Some people make resolutions to lose weight or to quit smoking. Some may set goals to run a marathon in under three hours or climb Mount Everest. But we’re not interested in those people.

We’re interested in you — the people who resolve to finally finish that shelving project in the garage or make a new trailer for your snowmobiles.  Or maybe this is the year you vow to finally lay down that perfect aluminum TIG bead.

So, what is your new year’s welding resolution? Is it a project you’ve been dreaming about for months or years? Maybe it’s to learn a new welding process or hone your skills. Whatever it is, please share your welding resolutions for the upcoming year.

We at Miller wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.