Industrial Info - Navigating the Currents of Change

Strategic Shifts in U.S. Power Industry Drive Billions in Spending Decisions

Industrial Info Resources — 9 May 2012 07:01:01 GMT

The outlook for capital and maintenance spending in North America's Electric Power industry has been shifted dramatically over the last 12 months by legislative and regulatory decisions, operational issues and fuel prices, Brock Ramey, Industrial Info's manager of North American Power, said in an exclusive "Navigating the Currents of Change" webcast. Hear Ramey reflect on the dramatic changes that are driving billions of dollars of spending for U.S. generators.

Power Transmission Projects See Increased Spending and Growth in Coming Years

Industrial Info Resources — 26 Apr 2012 07:01:01 GMT

Industrial Info is currently tracking more than $50 billion in transmission projects in North America that are planned to begin construction within the next five years. In this week's "Navigating the Currents of Change" webcast, Brock Ramey, Industrial Info's manager for North American Power Industry Research, discusses some of the important issues facing the power transmission sector.

North America Remains Strongest Link in Global Pharma-Biotech Industry Chain

Industrial Info Resources — 12 Apr 2012 07:01:01 GMT

There is no arguing that the entire Pharma-Biotech Industry has undergone a massive reorganization that is still not complete. But reports of the industry's demise were premature to say the least. A recent analysis of North American projects found in the Pharmaceutical-Biotech Tracker - Online Database reveals 713 active capital and maintenance (MRO) projects, with a combined total investment value (TIV) of $14.5 billion, that are scheduled to begin construction in 2012. Join Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info's vice president for Pharmaceutical-Biotech Industry research, in this week's "Navigating the Currents of Change" webcast for an in-depth discussion on the industry that touches everyone's life.

Global Power Project Spending Rising and Shifting

Industrial Info Resources — 4 Apr 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Industrial Info's Power Industry research leaders Britt Burt and Shane Mullins focus on the large and ever-shifting power industry. Around the world, more than 3,500 grassroot Power projects valued at more than $1.3 trillion have been added to Industrial Info Resources' global power database over the last 12 months. These new projects reflect the dynamism of the $6.9 trillion global Power Industry: Renewable energy and environmental remediation projects in Europe, nuclear safety upgrades in the U.S., and a growing trend of power-generation islands being placed in industrial facilities in developing countries. Visit http://www.industrialinfo.com for more information.

Compliance Spending to Increase as Power Industry Gradually Obtains Regulatory Clarity from EPA

Industrial Info Resources — 20 Mar 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Electric generation utilities began 2012 with continued uncertainty about compliance standards for the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) issued by the EPA, although there was more clarity with the agency's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule.

U.S. Refinery Project Spending Seen Rising in 2012

Industrial Info Resources — 7 Mar 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Project spending in the U.S. Petroleum Refining business will increase about 4% this year, to about $18.34 billion, according to Chris Paschall, Industrial Info's vice president of research for the petroleum refining industry. In an exclusive "Navigating the Currents of Change" webcast, Paschall predicted refiner capital project spending will increase 1.6%, to $12.66 billion, in 2012. U.S. refiners have scheduled about $5.68 billion of maintenance spending this year, a 5.8% increase over last year's maintenance spending levels, he added.

North America Mining Sector Booms in 2012

Industrial Info Resources — 13 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Industrial Info Resources saw that 2011 was a turnaround year for the Mining sector in North America. Metals & Minerals project construction starts totaling $35 billion in 2011 more than doubled the amount of projects starting construction in 2010. Will the market increase or decrease in 2012? Join Joe Govreau, VP Research - Metals & Minerals Industry, in this video webcast discussing capital spending trends for North America.

Canadian Oil Sands Continues to Thrive Despite Keystone Setbacks

Industrial Info Resources — 26 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

Industrial Info Resources discusses President Obama's denial of TransCanada's application for the Keystone XL pipeline. We believe this is just a temporary setback to increase Canadian crude to the U.S. Ultimately there will be additional means of transporting crude from Canada down to U.S. refiners whether it is a modified TransCanada XL pipeline, proposals by Enbridge or others. Despite the delays in pipeline infrastructure, investment in developing the oil sands will continue to thrive for years.

The Marcellus Shale Could Potentially Shift the Entire North American Natural Gas Market

Industrial Info Resources — 19 Jan 2012 06:01:00 GMT

The proximity of the Marcellus shale to large population centers and lack of oil & gas infrastructure are expected to continue to drive construction spending in the region for many years to come. Being close to major consumers of natural gas in nearby metropolitan areas could potentially shift the entire North American natural gas market. Natural gas is traditional transported from the south to the Northeast but as the Marcellus continues to be developed the Northeast will become less reliant on gas piped in from the south and be more self sufficient.

Power Industry Ends 'Roller Coaster' Year, Looks to Increase Project Spending in 2012

Industrial Info Resources — 7 Dec 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The North American Power industry had a "roller-coaster" year in 2011, driven by an "onslaught" of new regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, D.C), according to Brock Ramey, Industrial Info's manager of North American Power. But the industry's project spending rose in 2011 to about $76 billion, and further gains are expected in 2012 and beyond as big-ticket items like the Vogtle and Summer nuclear expansion projects are scheduled to begin construction.

Power Show Focuses on Latin America's Need for More Electricity

Industrial Info Resources — 9 Nov 2011 06:01:00 GMT

A September 2011 massive blackout that briefly interrupted production at Chile's copper mines and plunged a majority of Chile's population into darkness demonstrated the fragile state of the Chilean electric system. And the need for investment in the Power sector extends well beyond Chile, as strong demand for Metals & Minerals and the rise of consumer economies have stretched generators and transmission systems across Latin America. Kallman Worldwide will hold an international energy exhibition and conference next May in Santiago, Chile, to spur greater investment in all aspects of Latin America's electric business. Tom Kallman, president and chief executive at Kallman Worldwide, was interviewed by phone from Santiago after he secured support for the trade show from Chile's energy minister.

Sizing North American Power Market Now Faster and Easier with New Industrial Info Online Analysis

Industrial Info Resources — 27 Oct 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Sales, marketing and strategic planning professionals who operate in the North American Power Industry now have access to a unique new online product, Industrial Info Resources' North American Combustion Turbine Generator Market Share Analysis, that can accelerate go-to-market planning for equipment manufacturers and service providers. Shane Mullins, IIR's Vice President of Product Development, Gordon Gorrie, IIR's Vice President of Energy Product Development, and Shaheen Chohan, IIR's Vice President of Global Analytics, discuss how this new tool was developed and how it will save users time and effort in preparing marketing and sales forecasts.

Industrial Manufacturers: 2011 was Very Good, 2012 Should Be Even Better

Industrial Info Resources — 12 Oct 2011 06:01:00 GMT

North American industrial manufacturers dramatically increased their project spending in 2011, and the industry's outlook for 2012 is even brighter, according to David Pickering, Industrial Info's vice president of research for the Industrial Manufacturing Industry. Driven by healthy increases in spending on auto manufacturing and rail projects, the industry is on track to double its spending on capital and maintenance projects this year compared to 2010 spending. Looking forward, one x-factor for 2012 spending is whether U.S. consumers will continue to buy electric and hybrid vehicles now that gasoline prices have dipped back under $3 per gallon in some markets.

Inexpensive Feedstocks, Rising Demand Lift Outlook for Project Spending in Chemical Processing Industry

Industrial Info Resources — 7 Sep 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The North American Chemical Processing Industry (CPI) has maintained its momentum through the first eight months of 2011, and there are positive signs that 2012 will begin on a positive note, according to Trey Hamblet, IIR's Vice President of Research for the Chemical Processing Industry. Low feedstock costs and high operating rates are two factors driving the positive outlook for the industry. Other encouraging signs include lower project cancellations and deferrals compared to 2010 and a high proportion of spending going to plant additions and expansions.

Coal-Gen 2011: EPA and Regulatory Effects on the Power Industry

Industrial Info Resources — 15 Aug 2011 06:01:00 GMT

With the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) finalization of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, and the utility boiler MACT (maximum available control technology) rule being finalized in November 2011, electric generation utilities are facing some tough strategic decisions. Over the next 24 months, utilities will have to make decisions about issues ranging from plant closures to environmental retrofits...

Can Clean and Green Hydro Power Maintain its Share of U.S. Electricity Mix?

Industrial Info Resources — 13 Jul 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Hydropower accounts for about 7% of U.S. electricity, but this clean and green resource may be hard pressed to maintain its share of the electricity mix given the lengthy environmental permitting process facing grassroot projects as well as existing projects that seek to expand or be relicensed. Brock Ramey, IIR's research manager for North American power, discusses trends and opportunities in the hydro sector in this exclusive "Navigating the Currents of Change" interview.

Project Spending Rising for North American Oil & Gas Production, Petroleum Terminals

Industrial Info Resources — 1 Jun 2011 06:01:00 GMT

A prolonged period of high crude oil prices has pushed up scheduled project spending for North American Oil & Gas Production as well as crude oil Terminals, according to Jesus Davis, IIR's VP of research for the Storage, Transmission and Production Industries. Even controversies over hydrofracturing have not dimmed industry enthusiasm for drilling for gas in shale formations -- providing there are deposits of natural gas liquids (NGLs) or crude oil there as well. But in this exclusive interview, Davis points out that low prices for natural gas have held back spending for new natural-gas storage capacity, even though it is badly needed.

As European Nuclear Power Stalls, Renewable Projects Accelerate

Industrial Info Resources — 25 May 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The March 11 accident at Japan's Fukushimi Daiichi nuclear plant temporarily stalled European nuclear power development and could result in closing some operating units there. Nuclear's stall has led to an acceleration of renewable power development in Europe, particularly biomass and offshore windfarms. Hear Industrial Info Europe President Nicola Lynch discuss these and other ways that Japan's nuclear accident transformed Europe's power market.

EPA Draft Rules, Low Gas Prices Slow New U.S. Power Development

Industrial Info Resources — 20 Apr 2011 06:01:00 GMT

In the second "Navigating the Currents of Change" interview, Brock Ramey, IIR's research manager for the North American Power industry, assesses the outlook for U.S. transmission project spending, the current state of development for North American coal, renewable, and nuclear generation, and the impact that the Japanese nuclear crisis has had on the development of new generation resources.

U.S. Refinery Margins and Project Spending Rise as World Oil Prices Reflect Mideast Uncertainties

Industrial Info Resources — 18 Apr 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The effect of a crude-oil export cutoff from Libya, and the potential for political turmoil to affect oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Nigeria, were some of the strategic topics explored in an exclusive "Navigating the Currents of Change" interview. Experts also discussed the growing vibrancy of the U.S. refinery industry, rising retail gasoline prices, and this year's expectation that U.S. refiners will increase their capital and maintenance project spending.

Regulatory Clarity Still Elusivae for Utilities, Despite Recent Flurry of EPA Draft Rules

Industrial Info Resources — 13 Apr 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The recent flurry of draft regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, D.C.) has created a lot of frustration, but little clarity, for the Power Industry, according to Brock Ramey, IIR's manager of research for the North American Power Industry. "On the utility boiler MACT rule, it appears that the EPA has not really done its homework. We expect that the EPA will have to go back to the drawing board on that proposed rule," he said in an exclusive "Navigating the Currents of Change" interview.

An Exclusive Interview with Professor Hironobu Unesaki, Professor of Nuclear Engineering Science at Kyoto University

Industrial Info Resources — 28 Mar 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The events surrounding problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are distressing and confusing for people both inside and outside of Japan. Industrial Info spoke with Professor Hironobu Unesaki, a professor of nuclear engineering science and the director of the Office of Nuclear Material Management at Kyoto University. In this exclusive interview, Professor Unesaki helps clarify the events taking place at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, which is owned and operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TEPCO).

Pharma Diagnosis for 2011: Increased Project Spending but Decreased Staff

Industrial Info Resources — 16 Mar 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology industry is busy closing plants, trimming staffs, capturing efficiencies from recent mergers -- and building new facilities! As insurance companies' reimbursement policies exert more and more control over the Pharma & Biotech industry, the industry is looking at a barbell-shaped future: low-cost generic drugs, at the one end, and high-cost "biologicals," on the other. There is no longer any "middle" between the two extremes. Annette Kreuger, IIR's vice president of research for the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry, explains why this future could be profitable for companies that supply equipment and services to this industry.

Europe's Dynamic Low-Carbon Power Future Continues Moving Forward

Industrial Info Resources — 9 Mar 2011 06:01:00 GMT

In today's increasingly competitive, globalized economy, the price of a missed opportunity has never been higher. IIR Analytics provides customers with a range of customized research services and online reports and analysis to help businesses make better-quality fact-based decisions. Shaheen Chohan and the IIR Analytics team are helping clients identify attractive market opportunities and to better size, assess and define the viability of these markets based on data-driven insights.

IIR Analytics Helps Companies More Effectively Target Attractive Markets and Industries

Industrial Info Resources — 2 Mar 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Europe's Power Sector Still Going Green

Industrial Info Resources — 23 Feb 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Renewable power development continues to be strong as 2011 begins: According to Nicola Lynch, IIR Europe's managing director, there are $292 billion of active renewable power projects planned or under way across the Continent. The nations of the European Union are making sustained progress toward their goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020. Windpower is the leading segment in the sector, but she said equipment and service providers have numerous business opportunities in solar, hydro, and biomass.

Improved Margins, Higher Demand Signal Higher Project Spending by Refining Industry in 2011

Industrial Info Resources — 16 Feb 2011 06:01:00 GMT

North American Petroleum Refiners have experienced several months of increased demand and improved margins, which should translate into increased project spending by the industry in 2011, according to Chris Paschall, Industrial Info's vice president of research for the petroleum refining industry. Industrial Info is tracking about $22 billion of refinery capital and maintenance projects that are scheduled to kick off this year, signifying good business opportunities for suppliers of industrial equipment and services.

IIR's Researchers in Japan Track Asian Economic Growth First-Hand

Industrial Info Resources — 9 Feb 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Asian economies are scheduled to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on energy projects over the next five years. To help our customers compete for that business, Gordon Murray and a team of industry research specialists working out of IIR's Japan office are discovering, confirming and reporting those energy projects. Join Gordon Murray along with the host of Navigating the Currents of Change to learn more about the growing opportunities in this region of the world.

Forest Products Industry Spending in 2011 Geared to Energy Investments

Industrial Info Resources — 2 Feb 2011 06:01:00 GMT

The outlook for the North American Pulp, Paper & Wood Industry for 2011 reads much like the forecasts of recent years and contains many of the same elements that have led to a continuous flat-line trend in capital spending. Demand for most products remains fragile, pricing structures are weak, and spiraling operating costs, particularly toward raw materials and energy, continue to weaken profitability. As a result, the spending forecast for many companies will continue to decline...

Project Spending in 2011 Expected to Surge for U.S. Transport Companies, Semiconductor Manufacturers

Industrial Info Resources — 12 Jan 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Transportation Systems companies and semiconductor manufacturers are scheduled to dramatically increase project spending in 2011, according to David Pickering, Industrial Info's vice president of research for Industrial Manufacturing. And the Big Four U.S. automakers--GM, Ford, Toyota and Chrysler--are poised to continue their recoveries, backed by new models that have drawn raves from auto magazines. But will consumers feel enough confidence in the economic recovery to sign on the dotted line?

Packaged Food Makers, Beef & Poultry Processors Expect Good Year in 2011

Industrial Info Resources — 4 Jan 2011 06:01:00 GMT

Consumers spent more time and money at grocery stores than they did in restaurants in 2010. Family-style restaurants were hurt by that spending shift, but packaged food companies benefitted. What's the outlook for project spending by those segments in 2011? Randy Godet, IIR's vice president for research for the Food & Beverage industry, discusses that as well as poultry exports to the Russian Federation and why companies that make alcoholic beverages and snacks do well in recessions.

Power Industry - 'Dash to Gas' and 'Run to Renewables'

Industrial Info Resources — 22 Dec 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Two trends that shaped the Power industry in 2010, the "dash to gas" and the "rush to renewables", will continue in 2011 as the U.S. continues to slowly emerge from the recession. Shane Mullins, IIR's vice president for product development, also discusses how the nuclear renaissance will fare in 2011, prospects for coal-fired power, and the multibillion-dollar after-market for equipment and services for the wind power industry.

Alternative Fuels Market Stands Still as Emerging Second-Generation Plants Still Waiting to Emerge

Industrial Info Resources — 10 Nov 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Not a single ethanol or biodiesel plant has received funding to begin construction in 2009-10 because of a stingy credit market, lenders keeping funds unavailable, and the Department of Energy not releasing loan guarantees. And considering that in the U.S., there are more than 1 billion gallons of ethanol and 599 million gallons of biodiesel sitting idle, who would want to build in this time of tight margins and market uncertainty?

Coal & Mining Trends for 2011

Industrial Info Resources — 2 Nov 2010 06:01:00 GMT

The U.S. coal industry has had a difficult two years, with reduced domestic demand and increased fuel-switching to natural gas by electric generators. But a recent increase in domestic usage and a strong overseas demand for metallurgical coal are two reasons for optimism in 2011. However welcome, that optimism must be tempered by the EPA's expected draft rule on mercury emissions and its recently proposed draft Clean Air Interstate Rule, both of which are expected to significant impact coal mining companies. Joe Govreau VP of Metals & Minerals is interviewed for this edition of Navigating the Current of Change webcast. Join Mr. Govreau for an overview of some of the capital spending trends impacting the industry going into 2011.

Industrial Info Uncovers New Business Opportunities for Companies by Expanding and Improving Market Intelligence Around the World

Industrial Info Resources — 6 Jan 2010 06:01:00 GMT

A Special Navigating the Currents of Change featuring Ed Lewis, Chairman & CEO of Industrial Info Resources. "We hear a lot of talk today about how bad the market is, but there is still a tremendous amount of project spending being done around the world, if you know where to look," Ed Lewis, chairman and chief executive of Industrial Info said in an interview at the company’s Sugar Land, Texas, headquarters. "The dynamism of the market means our market intelligence has to be more dynamic, more robust, and more personal, all of which helps clients focus their firepower and uncover new business opportunities." Listen to the IIR "Navigating the Currents of Change" podcast with IIR’s Ed Lewis as he discusses the business changes and improvements implemented in 2009 that have already benefited clients as they focus on 2010 and beyond for new opportunities in the industrial market.