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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Working Up High Is E-Z
March 16, 2010 9:51 am | Product Releases | CommentsE-Z Drill (Stillwater, OK) now offers the E-Z Tray, a work tray designed for use on scissor lifts, boom lifts, aerial work platforms, and any equipment with railings. The E-Z Tray provides an ergonomically-friendly solution for the safe handling of tools while working at heights.
Analysts Weigh In On Cost Of Toyota's Recall Fiasco
March 16, 2010 9:33 am | by Tomoko A. Hosaka, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — A massive global recall, mounting legal bills and a battered reputation add up to a very expensive problem for Toyota. How expensive? Depends who you ask. With new developments emerging almost daily, predicting a final pricetag for the Japanese automaker is a daunting calculation that only some analysts have attempted.
Unions Bash Kraft CEO On Cadbury Takeover
March 16, 2010 9:32 am | by Jane Wardell, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsLONDON (AP) — British union leaders and lawmakers lashed out at Kraft Inc. Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld for failing to appear before an inquiry on the U.S. company's takeover of British confectioner Cadbury on Tuesday. The Unite union also criticized Rosenfeld for failing to meet directly with workers at Cadbury sites across the country to reassure them about the company's plans after it backtracked on a promise to keep open a local factory.
US Steel CEO Takes 83 Percent Salary Cut
March 16, 2010 9:31 am | by Sandy Shore, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsDENVER (AP) — United States Steel Corp. CEO John Surma's compensation package plummeted more than 83 percent last year as he took a salary cut and refused stock awards. The reduction came in a year the company struggled with withering demand for steel. Surma, who also is board chairman, received total compensation of $1.
AK Steel Sues Ex-Workers For Stealing Trade Secrets
March 16, 2010 9:30 am | News | CommentsWEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — AK Steel Holding Corp. has filed a lawsuit alleging three ex-employees of its Rockport, Ind., plant stole company trade secrets. The lawsuit filed March 11 says Donald Earley resigned as a senior process engineer last year and accepted a job with ThyssenKrupp Steel USA.
We Applies For $255 Million Wis. Biomass Plant
March 16, 2010 9:30 am | News | CommentsWAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — We Energies has filed for regulatory permission to build a $255 million biomass power plant near Wausau. In its application to the state Public Service Commission, the utility says the plant would supply steam to Domtar's paper mill in Rothschild and create up to 150 jobs.
Judge Overturns Suit Against Ford For Sudden Acceleration
March 16, 2010 9:29 am | by Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's highest court on Monday overturned an $18 million verdict againstFord Motor Co. in a fatal crash, ruling that one expert shouldn't have been allowed to testify about cruise control problems. Sonya Watson, 17, was paralyzed after losing control of her Ford Explorer in December 1999.
Toyota, UAW Reach Tentative NUMMI Closure Agreement
March 15, 2010 11:25 am | News | CommentsFREMONT, Calif. (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement to shut down California's sole remaining auto plant which employs 4,600 people. The terms weren't disclosed Monday but will include payouts for workers at the Fremont-based Nummi plantwhich is slated to close on April 1.
A Bitter Sweet Takeover
March 15, 2010 10:08 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Blogs | CommentsI guess there’s not much to defend, really. Kraft made an offer; Cadbury accepted. The once-British company is soon to join the ranks of the American food giant. And because Cadbury shareholders voted to approve the takeover bid, defending Cadbury would mean defending it against itself.
All-Electric Pressure Washers
March 15, 2010 9:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsSioux Corporation (Beresford, SD) has redesigned its EN-Series All-Electric line of hot water pressure washers and steam cleaners. The all-electric series now incorporates a more compact frame: the non-explosion proof units have a minimum 43 percent reduction in volume, while the explosion proof units have been reduced by at least 30 percent.
Torque Wrenches With Jaws
March 15, 2010 9:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsBinder-USA (Camarillo, CA) now offers a new torque wrench for its 7/8” Series 820 connectors. The tool is designed to connect and disconnect field-attachable cable connectors with hex-shaped locking nuts. The wrench ensures the correct torque value and guarantees an IP67-rated connection.
Clean Up Busy Spills
March 15, 2010 9:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsNew Pig Corporation (Tipton, PA) introduces the tough PIG® RHINO™ Absorbent Mat, designed to stand up to heavy foot traffic while soaking up liquid and minimizing slips. Features include: A thermally bonded, spunbond polypropylene top layer with zig-zag stitching to enhance strength and resist wear and tear.
Blowing Hot Air
March 15, 2010 9:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsAtlas Copco (Antwerp, Belgium) announces its new technology for air blowing applications: the ZS screw blower, which will replace the company’s entire range of rotary lobe blowers. The screw blower can be used in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, textiles, and other general manufacturing.
Industrial Prodcution Edges Up, Manufacturing Slips
March 15, 2010 5:02 am | by Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in February, beating expectations and marking the eighth straight monthly increase. But the key manufacturing sector produced less —for months a rare bright spot — produced less, muting hopes for a speedy recovery.
Lawmakers Bash China Ahead Of Election Day
March 15, 2010 4:58 am | by Foster Klug, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — China is once again the country Congress loves to hate. After a lull last year, U.S. politicians jockeying ahead of crucial November elections have stepped up attacks on China as a way to win support from voters worried that the Asian power is taking American jobs. China-bashing eased during President Barack Obama's first year in office, partly as a nod to the administration's attempts to get Chinese help settling nuclear standoffs with North Korea and Iran, and on important environmental and economic initiatives.
