The figures may be much worse for some factories, including Fiat plants in Italy, analysts said.
Several big established "ideas factories", including 3M, Procter & Gamble and Rubbermaid, have had dry spells recently.
To many Americans who've worked in factories, including me, the hype feels misplaced and anachronistic.
Abundant water power fueled many mills and factories, including a rifle works.
That involved moving 18,000 families and 270 factories, including the hulking Jiang Nan Shipyard, which employs 10,000 workers.
Within seven months last year, two explosions at iPad factories, including in Chengdu, killed four people and injured 77.
Sony has closed redundant factories, including one in Japan where the company once made its popular Trinitron TVs.
The future of other Canadian auto factories, including Chrysler's vast minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, remains murky.
An Asics spokesperson says the company has sponsored child labour prevention training for all its Cambodian factories (including New Star).
Europe's largest car manufacturer employs more than 600,000 people at about 120 factories, including 270,000 in Germany.
The group has 16 factories, including its own abattoirs, making it the UK's second-biggest food manufacturer.
