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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Electric Car Maker Reopens Plant In Downtrodden Elkhart
January 6, 2010 3:44 am | News | CommentsELKHART, Ind. (AP) — An electric car maker plans to open a factory in a northern Indiana plant that once made parts for recreational vehicles. State and local officials joined executives from Think North America for an official announcement Tuesday. The plant in Elkhart will be Think North America's first in the U.
U.S. Automakers Hopeful After Worst Year In Decades
January 6, 2010 3:38 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Automakers in the U.S. ended their worst year in almost three decades with hints of a recovery in December. Many, especially those selling small or inexpensive vehicles, reported improvements last month and expressed hope for a mildly better 2010. It was a positive finish to one of the toughest years on record for the industry, with U.
Coal Miners Afflicted By Mysterious Razor Blades
January 6, 2010 3:33 am | News | CommentsGILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — The Campbell County Sheriff's Office is investigating a series of incidents involving razor blades at the North Antelope-Rochelle coal mine in Campbell County. Officials say someone put a razor blade in a pair of gloves used for working with high-voltage equipment in October.
Senator Bingaman: Cap-and-Trade Unlikely This Year
January 6, 2010 3:27 am | by Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said Tuesday that it's unclear whether Congress will be able to pass cap and trade legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions this year. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said there's no consensus on what form a cap-and-trade system would take, but strong desire exists in both the Senate and House to pass other energy-related bills that would curb pollution blamed for global warming.
GM Sales Decline 30 Percent In 2009
January 6, 2010 3:25 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — General Motors said Tuesday its 2009 sales fell 30 percent and December sales fell 5.7 percent. BY THE NUMBERS: Sales fell to 207,538 vehicles in December from 220,030 a year earlier. For all of 2009, sales fell to 2.1 million vehicles from about 3 million. THE DIVISIONS: In December, car sales fell 9 percent to 79,417 from 87,506 while light truck sales fell 3 percent to 128,121 from 132,524.
Three Arrested In $100,000 Scrap Metal Theft From GM
January 6, 2010 3:23 am | News | CommentsFLINT, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say three people suspected of stealing metal from an idled General Motors Corp. plant in Flint have been arrested. Police said two men and one woman were arrested about 11:30 p.m. Sunday at the Buick City complex about 55 miles northwest of Detroit and are being held at the Genesee County Jail.
Sheet Cutters Of All Sizes
January 5, 2010 9:25 am | Product Releases | CommentsTRUMPF (Farmington, CT) will showcase a number of new products at the AHR Expo in Orlando, Fl. between January 25-27. The TruTool series of tools includes the S 130, developed specifically for thin-sheet users, measuring only 10”x15” and weighing in at 3 pounds with its battery.
Get Organized, Stay Lean And Productive
January 5, 2010 9:24 am | Product Releases | CommentsAkro-Mils (Akron, OH) has expanded its Super-Size AkroBins line with 24” length bins in two new sizes: 24”L x 11”W x 7”H and 24”L x 18.25”W x 12”H. The AkroBins feature optional width and length dividers that allow for even more effective parts separation and versatility in organization.
Save Money With Industrial Fans
January 5, 2010 9:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsRite-Hite (Milwaukee, WI) offers a range of HVLS (high-volume, low-speed) fans that help push air throughout your entire facility. According to the company, these fans can save as much as 30 percent on winter heating bills by destratifying the air. Check out the video for more information: To find out more about the HVLS fans, go to www.
Remote Control Boom Crane
January 5, 2010 9:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsAir Technical Industries (ATI, Mentor, OH) announces the Reversible Boom Crane operation with wireless remote or pendant control that offers safety and flexibility in lifting, handling, and transporting heavy loads in most narrow passageways. The unit can be remotely controlled for all functions, including propulsion, speed acceleration or deceleration, steering, mast rotation, and more.
Can 2010 Be Prosperous Without Manufacturing?
January 5, 2010 8:35 am | by Mark C. Tomlinson, executive director and general manager, Society of Manufacturing Engineers | Articles | CommentsAs January rolls around each year, we tend to make resolutions with every intention on keeping them. By February, however, most have faded away. But if we want manufacturing to emerge from what some call a “Depression,” and support the nation’s economic recovery, then we need to go beyond the annual New Year’s resolutions, and set a number of things into action.
Transforming Your Safety Culture With Lean Management
January 5, 2010 8:06 am | by Amanda Earing, News Editor, Manufacturing.Net | Articles | CommentsMany businesses that attempt to use lean techniques in their business often find employees reluctant to embrace changes. However, author Robert Hafey of “Lean Safety, Transforming Your Safety Culture with Lean Management” says a lean safety program can not only improve your company’s safety record, but also help workers accept lean in your company.
Japanese Auto Sales Hit 38-Year Low
January 5, 2010 3:55 am | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Auto sales in Japan declined to their lowest in 38 years, slumping 9 percent to 2.9 million vehicles for 2009, an industry group said Tuesday. Auto sales have been hammered by the economic slowdown as consumers tightened their pursestrings, despite tax breaks and cash-for-clunkers incentives introduced by the government.
FDA Seeks Closure Of N.J. Factory For Infected Cheese
January 5, 2010 3:51 am | News | CommentsPASSAIC, N.J. (AP) — Federal food safety officials want to shut down a New Jersey-based cheese producer, alleging the company has failed to correct unsanitary conditions and that recent inspections turned up cheeses contaminated with Listeria. The FDA filed a complaint Monday in U.S. District Court in Newark seeking a permanent injunction to stop production at Quesos Mi Pueblito in Passaic.
Chinese Factories Shut Down To Curb Power Use
January 5, 2010 3:47 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Some Chinese factories were ordered Tuesday to shut down to ensure sufficient power to heat homes as demand surged amid record-setting winter cold, a utility company said. No outages were reported, but coal supplies were running low at power plants in central China, said Liu Xinfang, a spokesman for State Grid Corp.


