Manufacturing expanded in July at the fastest pace in more than two years, sparked by surges in orders and production that signal companies are growing more optimistic about the U.S. economy's prospects.

Saudia Airlines Cargo Co. is launching OK-2-KSA, an online tool designed to help shippers obtain approvals for the importation of five types of goods by air into Saudi Arabia.

Infor has added two companies, CFO Solutions LLC and Inavista Solutions, to its partner network.

Tim Weiner, global risk manager of commodities and metals at MillerCoors LLC, smells a rat in his supply chain. He believes bank holding companies, through their control and ownership of stores of aluminum, are inflating the metal's prices.

More and more companies are choosing to invest in green building practices, enjoying quick returns on investments that pay off in profit and public opinion. And the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Certification Program is allowing companies to make their newer, greener policies official.

Over the next three years, manufacturers increasingly plan to use service as a competitive differentiator and aim to grow business through product service innovation and value-added services for existing products, according to Business Strategy: Modernizing the Service Chain with Smart Technology, a report from IDC Manufacturing Insights.

As the global economic landscape evolves and shifts, companies seek out new sourcing locations and growth opportunities in worldwide markets. Global expansion brings about new supply chain challenges and complexity that can vary by market and country. In North America, companies are looking for closer sourcing locations, greater efficiency, and opportunities to grow their export business. Latin America, due to its proximity, emerging market growth, and attractive free-trade agreements (FTA), as well as preferential agreements with the U.S. has made it a desirable trade region.