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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Vinyl Is Not Dead
February 25, 2010 3:42 am | Articles | CommentsOnce again, we dive into the world of vinyl manufacturing, this time at Stoughton Printing & RTI, based out of California, as they press copies of Weezer’s (Red) Album . Who knew that vinyl manufacturing could be as pleasing to the eyes as vinyl itself is to the ears? Weezer Vinyl Manufacturing from Roberto Lepe on Vimeo .
From Legos To Audis
February 25, 2010 3:35 am | Articles | CommentsAudi's plant in Brussels was recently charged with the responsibility of building their new A1 vehicle, no meager task considering the €285 million ($384 million) the automaker has invested in the facility. So, how do Audi's workers prepare for the new class of car? Why, they start small, of course.
How Safe Is Your Toyota? Pretty Darn Safe
February 25, 2010 3:31 am | Articles | CommentsSeems like everyone in America is clamoring to put Toyota out to pasture in light of their recent recalls. CNN digs through NHTSA records to find out not only how many complaints all automakers have recieved of unintended acceleration, but also how Toyota and it's competitors rank in overall safety complains.
Recalls Won't Derail Toyota's New Texas Plant
February 24, 2010 3:55 am | News | CommentsTEMPLE, Texas (AP) — Toyota's troubles will not keep a vehicle processing plant planned for Temple from being built. City and company officials say the project has been put on hold but that Toyota still intends to build the plantdespite its ongoing recall of more than 6 million vehicles.
Boeing To Reduce C-17 Production, Cut Jobs
February 24, 2010 3:52 am | News | CommentsLONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Boeing says it will reduce production of its C-17 military cargo planes by a third at its Long Beach plant. The Chicago-based company said Tuesday it does not know exactly how many jobs will be lost. The plant employs about 5,000 people, and produces 15 aircraft per year.
Pratt Lays Off Workers In Retaliation For Outsourcing Block
February 24, 2010 3:39 am | by Stephen Singer, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney delivered a blow to its unionized work force Tuesday, announcing it will lay off 163 employees and appeal a judge's decision blocking it from moving 1,000 jobs out of Connecticut. Just hours after announcing the planned layoffs at its Cheshire and East Hartford facilities, company president David Hess said Pratt & Whitney strongly disagreed with the federal court's ruling earlier this month and planned to file an appeal.
Jury Finds DuPont Liable For 2004 Leak
February 24, 2010 3:36 am | News | CommentsCOVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A federal jury has found DuPont liable for a chemical leak that sickened and injured three people in northeastern Kentucky. The Daily Independent in Ashland reports that the jury awarded damages totaling just over $9,000 to Arthellia Bates, Phillip Justice and Janet Senters in the second trial stemming from the October 2004 leak at the company's Wurtland plant.
OSHA Clears GE Transportation In Crane Death
February 24, 2010 3:31 am | News | CommentsERIE, Pa. (AP) — The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cleared GE Transportation of any wrongdoing in the death of a crane operator at the company's Erie plant last month. Theresa Naim, OSHA's area director, says the company's equipment, workplace safety, training and emergency response were all fine.
Oshkosh Corp. Gets $640 Million Army Contract
February 24, 2010 3:25 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Oshkosh Corp. said Tuesday the U.S. Army has paid it $640 million for all-terrain vehicles designed for the harsh mountains of Afghanistan. The Oshkosh, Wis., vehicle maker said the payment will help the company deliver 1,460 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles. The vehicles use an independent suspension system to navigate unimproved roads.
Easy Wire Stripping
February 23, 2010 7:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsWeidmuller (Richmond, VA) introduces the fourth generation Stripax and Stripax 16 tools for cutting and stripping flexible and solid conductors with PVC insulation, multi-conductors, and thin ribbon cables. The fourth generation Stripax incorporates numerous design changes and ergonomic practical improvements.
Fire Detection, Infrared-Style
February 23, 2010 7:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Multi-Spectrum Infrared (MSIR) FL4000H Flame Detector from General Monitors (Lake Forest, CA) now features a new housing for easy installation that simplifies wiring. The new MSIR sensor incorporates neural network technology (NNT) to provide reliable flame monitoring with immunity to false alarms.
Give It A Break
February 23, 2010 7:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsHilti (Tulsa, OK) has announced its most powerful breaker, the TE 1500-AVR, which combines impact energy with low vibration. The TE 1500-AVR is offers 22 foot/lbs of impact energy generated by a 1,800-watt motor that offers up to 1,950 blows per minute to efficiently break up floors, slabs, or foundations.
The Good Kind Of Oil Eating
February 23, 2010 7:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Oil Eater 45-gallon water-based parts cleaner from Kafko (Skokie, IL) features a thermostat pre-set to deliver a cleaning temperature of 110°F, which enhances cleaning effectiveness and minimizes liquid waste. 1,000W heaters shorten the heat-up time. The unit is made from heavy-duty high-density polyethylene plastic and industrial-grade pumps with Viton seals.
Cummins Settles Pollution Spat For $2.1 Million
February 23, 2010 4:09 am | News | CommentsCOLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — The Justice Department says diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. has agreed to pay a $2.1 million penalty and recall 405 heavy-duty engines for alleged Clean Air Act violations. Federal court documents filed Monday allege that Columbus, Ind.-based Cummins shipped 570,000 engines without pollution control equipment to vehicle manufacturers between 1998 and 2006.
Laid-Off Kansas Workers Get $7.5m Aid Grant
February 23, 2010 3:57 am | News | CommentsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — More than 1,100 laid-off workers in south-central Kansas may soon be getting some added help from a $7.5 million grant funded by federal stimulus money. The grant was announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Labor. It's aimed at workers laid off from jobs in aviation, construction, health care, manufacturing and retail.
