I think it s very important that we as a country maintain a strong manufacturing base because it has an impact on America s standard of living. We re not going to be a great nation by building walls around the country and protecting the 5 percent (of the world population) that lives here, said Owens, speaking as part of ISU s sesquicentennial celebration. Bush used a Cat manufacturing plant in East Peoria as the backdrop for his call to boost free trade and promote tax cuts. We re going to...

The agency estimates that more than one million barrels of oil would be saved if 30% of the trucks and trailers sold industry-wide in 2007 were SmartWay tractor-trailer combinations. The required components will be specially identified in Volvos truck ordering system so carriers participating in the SmartWay program can ensure their new trucks qualify for EPAs public designation. Our new family of US 07 engines delivers excellent fuel economy, with very low emissions. Volvos sophisticated...

NAB chief economist Alan Oster said the main message from the March survey is that business conditions in the first quarter of 2007 have remained at robust levels. NAB said the overall business conditions index - a composite of trading conditions, profitability and employment across the non-farm business sector - slipped a seasonally adjusted index point to 17 in March following a single point expansion in February. Oster noted that the cyclically sensitive sectors reported both stronger...

And, even for some of our smaller suppliers, if it effects their cost to the point they raise their prices, and if it then made them uncompetitive, we would select suppliers from someplace else and it would affect their ability to do business in our state," said Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens during an appearance at Illinois State University. The fact of the matter is 85 percent of businesses in Illinois are exempt from this gross receipts tax," said Blagojevich during the visit. And, even for...

Midwest expanded at a stronger-than-expected pace in March, easing worries about the economy. construction spending rose in February, confounding expectations for a decline. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. consumer sentiment fell in March to its lowest in six months. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Treasury prices...

QUARTERLY MUTUAL FUNDS AND STOCKS REPORT Area firms notch big gains But analysts caution not to expect such lofty increases for the rest of the year By William Sluis Tribune staff reporter Published April 9, 2007 For investors who relish the notion of a flat Earth, the stock market in the first quarter was the place to be. QUARTERLY MUTUAL FUNDS AND STOCKS REPORT Area firms notch big gains But analysts caution not to expect such lofty increases for the rest of the year By William Sluis...