WASHINGTON—Congress has voted to restore funding to the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.

MCLEAN, VA—Sales of machine tools in the United States totaled $198.19 million in December 2002.

CHAPEL HILL, NC–Managers can raise profit margins by implementing Six Sigma initiatives to cut costs, according to a report by consulting firm Best Practices LLC.

ITHICA, NY—At one time, most manufacturing jobs that left the United States for China were concentrated in relatively low-skill, low-wage jobs in light manufacturing industries, such as apparel and textiles.

ROYAL OAK, MI—Integral Solutions Inc. has merged with ASI DataMyte Inc. (Plymouth, MN).

LONG BEACH, CA—The Boeing Co.’s operations have won two quality awards from the California Council for Excellence.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA—The emerging calibration services industry will continue to experience growth from 2003 through 2007.

CLEVELAND–One-third of manufacturers in the metal-forming industry expected economic activity to increase during the first quarter of 2003.

LITTLE FALLS, NJ–Engineers can learn how to combine the concepts of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma at a conference to be held May 8 to 9 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

MIAMI—More than 150 top-level executives gathered for two full days in Miami for the 4th Annual Six Sigma Summit, January 21 to 22.