VIBCO Inc. - Providence Business News

CO-BOT CONVERSATION: Mike Rielly, head of public relations at igus Bearings Inc. in East Providence, discusses one of the robots that the company produces, which are known as collaborative robots, or co-bots, along with other automation technology that it sells to manufacturers. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

ROBOTS RISING? Manufacturers mull employing tech as it gets smarter, cheaper

Cover Story 07/19/2024

Enter igus Bearings Inc.’s newly opened facility in East Providence, and you’ll be met with the sounds of whirring and clangs typical of a...

SHARING  THE LOAD: igus Bearings Inc. spokesman Mike Rielly, with one of the company’s collaborative robots, or co-bots, that it produces.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Robots will eliminate jobs but create new ones too

Editorial and Op-Ed 07/19/2024

Unions are understandably worried about job losses that will come as manufacturers turn to technology to curb costs and improve production and efficiency. There’s no...

EMPLOYEES STOCK the warehouse of Warwick-based health care equipment distributor CME Corp. The John H. Chafee Center for International Business' annual World Trade Day on Wednesday will focus on supply chain resiliency and being prepared for the next crisis that may cause disruptions within supply chains both locally and globally. / COURTESY CME CORP.

38th World Trade Day to focus on supply chain resiliency, improved...

Business Services 05/21/2024

SMITHFIELD – When the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world four years ago, local businesses had to grapple with many complex changes and challenges, including...

Business leaders express guarded optimism at economic outlook breakfast

Economy 04/30/2024

WARWICK – Rhode Island business leaders and financial experts remain guarded on the region’s short-term economic prospects, agreeing Tuesday during the annual Economic Outlook...

SILVER LINING: Eduardo Naya, director of marketing for Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, says there’s a silver lining to more older workers entering the workforce, which ensures their knowledge that used to be underutilized in retirement –  or relocated to Florida – stays in Rhode Island. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

READY AND ABLE: Older workers filling R.I. employment gaps

Cover Story 03/29/2024

After 35 years in insurance marketing, the last 20 with Rhode Island-based Amica Mutual Insurance Co. managing multimillion-dollar campaigns, Eduardo Naya tried to retire. It...

Report: R.I. leaders should tailor Investment Tax Credit to manufacturing

Editor's Choice 10/30/2023

PROVIDENCE – A new state report on Rhode Island’s Investment Tax Credit shows that between 2019 and 2021 the program did not break even...

OPEN SPACE:  Meliza Urquhart, community manager at Paragon Mill in Providence, shows one of the new units offered at “workforce” rates for people who earn between 80% and 120% of the area’s median income. Demand in that slice of the housing market is far beyond the supply.  PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

MAKING ROOM In the MIDDLE: R.I. struggles to create workforce housing,...

Cover Story 04/28/2023

For nursing assistant Johnbray Brown, moving into a workforce-rate unit in the renovated Paragon Mill in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood was a hard-won victory spanning...

NO TIME TO WASTE: VIBCO Inc. CEO and President Karl Wadensten isn’t waiting for state leaders to solve Rhode Island’s workforce housing shortage. He’s looking to build so-called “tiny homes” on the campus of his Richmond business that can be rented to workers. COURTESY KARL WADENSTEN

Businesses can play key role in boosting workforce housing

Editorial and Op-Ed 04/28/2023

Could so-called “tiny homes” help solve Rhode Island’s affordable housing shortage? One business owner, VIBCO Inc. CEO and President Karl Wadensten, thinks so. He’s...

PAWTUCKET OFFICIALS gave decided to delay issuing $27 million in public bonds planned to help finance the Tidewater Landing project. / COURTESY FORTUITOUS PARTNERS

Opinions differ how funding delay impacts soccer stadium project

Economic Activity 03/24/2023

PAWTUCKET – With a timeout called on the central part of the funding for the Tidewater Landing project, supporters and detractors of the 10,500-seat...