Good Kansas City manufacturing news

Here it is, from AOL online news last evening:

Bullish on Hogs: High Gas Prices Drive Harley-Davidson Sales Way Up

"It's a good time to be a Hog: On Wednesday, Harley-Davidson (HOG) announced a stunning second-quarter jump in income, making the legendary Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer a rare bright spot in a gray economy.

Between April and June 2011, Harley brought in $190.6 million in net income; a year later, its net had jumped 30%, to $247.3 million. But while the company's growing income was a boon for investors -- the year-over-year growth translated to an extra 26 cent dividend on every share -- its changing fortunes also highlight some major, and lasting, political and economic shifts that may have long-lasting effects for the motorcycle market."

So, the bad news?

Gasoline costs too much.

The good news? And there's lots of it--

People are trying to save. They're trying every way they know how to use and burn less gas.

That's good for the air we breathe.

It's good for putting less pollution in our atmosphere and air.

It's good for manufacturing in America. (At least so far).

It's good for exports for the nation, hopefully, potentially.

It's good for jobs.

It's good for the middle class in the country.

It's great for Kansas City.

Link: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/08/02/harley-davidson-sales-rise-high-gas-prices/

Milwaukee loss? Kansas City win?

I see in the Associated Press news just now that there are rumors Harley Davidson may be leaving Milwaukee: Harley-Davidson warned employees in April that it will move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations elsewhere if it cannot cut millions of dollars at the factories that build the bikes known as "Milwaukee Iron." It could just be an attempt to wrest yet more tax cuts from the local populace: Harley chief executive Keith Wandell said the company will make its decision on whether to move in the next two months. Harley executives are already scouting out other states, though Wandell will not say which ones. The company, he said, would also be open to incentives to keep the 1,630 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin. I have to think there would be at least an outside chance Harley could move that production here. I mean, it's within possibility, at least. They would have seen how the State of Missouri just handed over $150 million in tax "incentives" (read: cuts) for the Ford Motor Company. They no doubt figure we'd gladly do the same. Who knows if any of this is true? But, as I said, it's certainly within the realm of possibility. Keep cool, y'all, and think positive thoughts. Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100804/ap_on_bi_ge/us_harley_milwaukee_breakup