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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Neb. CommScope Manufacturing Shut Down
March 31, 2010 8:17 am | News | CommentsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — CommScope Inc. has announced it will close its Omaha plant late next year, eliminating about 400 manufacturing jobs. The Omaha plant, operating as a Connectivity Solutions Manufacturing Inc. subsidiary, manufactures parts used in cable networks. CommScope said Wednesday those operations would be relocated to its other U.
Making A World Cup-Worthy Ball
March 31, 2010 6:56 am | Articles | CommentsEagerly waiting for the 2010 World Cup to start in June? If you're an American, that's not likely. I suppose we just don‘t understand fútbol as well as the rest of the world. Whether you prefer good ‘ol American football, or the more global version, you can still appreciate the extensive and precise manufacturing process that goes into making official game balls.
Jay Leno's 1909 Electric Car
March 31, 2010 6:55 am | Articles | CommentsThe automotive industry is all a-flutter with electric cars, but the technology is nothing new. Jay Leno is the proud owner of a 1909 Baker Electric, a fully-electric car that's was certainly ahead of the game. With a range of almost a hundred miles, the Baker could outlast even some of the modern offerings, albeit at a top speed of 22 miles per hour.
Under Pressure, Kraft Slashes Salt
March 31, 2010 6:54 am | Articles | CommentsKraft, the nation’s largest food maker, has promised to cut 10 percent of the sodium from its portfolio of foods. A ten percent cut doesn’t seem like a whole lot, until you consider how big a piece of the pie it really is: 10 million pounds. If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
Kicking The Fossil Fuel Habit
March 31, 2010 6:51 am | Articles | CommentsTom Rand — the engineer, venture capitalist, and self-appointed “philosopher” — thinks the world has every technology and resource it needs to break the bonds of fossil fuels. Why is that so important? Regardless of your stance on global warming, these green technologies can help any manufacturing facility save money.
GM, DOE Partner On Jatropha Biofuel Research
March 31, 2010 4:48 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. will spend the next five years working with federal authorities to study whether oil from a weed can become a sustainable source for biodiesel, the automotive company said Tuesday. The partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy will study whether the jatropha plant can be a dependable biofuel crop.
Body Parts Found At Medical Waste Company
March 31, 2010 4:39 am | by Maria Sudekum Fisher, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Officials in Kansas have been trying to identify several body parts, including six heads, found in a truck at a medical waste company. The body parts were found last week in 12 large red plastic tubs inside a delivery truck at Stericycle Inc., a company that disposes of medical waste.
Feds Investigate Boston Scientific Defibrillator Recall
March 31, 2010 4:34 am | by Tom Murphy, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNATICK, Mass. (AP) — Investors shrugged off a report Tuesday that medical device maker Boston Scientific could face a fresh wave of regulatory problems thanks to a product recall investigation. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking into the recent recall of defibrillators.
Nissan Electric 'Leaf' To Cost $25,000 In U.S.
March 31, 2010 4:31 am | by Dan Strumpf and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Nissan's new electric car will cost just over $25,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S. in December, aiming to bring gasoline-free technology within reach of mainstream drivers. The Leaf, a four-door hatchback, will have a base price of $32,780, but it's eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
Ford Enters Luxury Hybrid Market With Lincoln MKZ
March 31, 2010 4:28 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. will become a player in the small market for luxury hybrids this fall when it launches its first Lincoln hybrid, a gas-electric version of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ. Ford says the hybrid MKZ — to be introduced Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show — will be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan on the market, getting an estimated 41 miles per gallon in city driving.
Toyota's March Sales Jump 35 Percent
March 31, 2010 4:12 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (Kyodo) — Toyota Motor Corp's U.S. sales rocketed about 35 percent in March from a year before after Japan's top automaker offered sharp discounts to lure back consumers after massive recalls, U.S. media reported Tuesday. The forecast was provided by Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.
Nine Arrested For Drug Use At N.C. Goodyear Plant
March 31, 2010 4:08 am | News | CommentsFAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Sheriff's deputies have arrested nine employees at a North Carolina tire plant on drug charges after an undercover investigation prompted by employees' concerns. The Fayetteville Observer reported Wednesday that agents posing as Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Finding Those Golden Production Nuggets
March 30, 2010 9:49 am | by Herb Lichtenberg, Senior VP Practice Director for Production | Articles | CommentsWhistles are blowing, phones are ringing and people are scrambling all over the factory floor. There has just been a major equipment breakdown and it looks like it will take days to fix and get the plant running again. Just think of the lost production, the late orders and the unhappy customers.
OSHA Head Supports Major Reform Legislation
March 30, 2010 9:46 am | by Eric J. Conn and James A. Lastowka, McDermott Will & Emery LLP | Articles | CommentsOn March 16, 2010, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Dr. David Michaels, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, in support of a major piece of OSHA reform legislation making its way through the U.
From Harleys To Your Plant
March 30, 2010 7:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Hawg Buddy and Cycle Buddy folding tools sets from the Bondhus Corporation (Monticello, MN) were developed for working specifically on Harley Davidson motorcycles, but can be used in industrial environments as well. The Hawg Buddy tools are finished with chrome plating, while the Cycle Buddy is finished with 14K gold plating.
