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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Roof Recoating Enhances Workplace Safety
May 17, 2013 11:19 am | by Del Williams, technical writer | Articles | CommentsMany industrial facilities such as petrochemical plants must remain safely, efficiently operational with virtually no downtime, unplanned maintenance, or replacement for decades. To protect equipment from corrosion, traditionally three separate coatings are used, often in a zinc, epoxy, urethane combination. While this is common, it is far from optimal.
Building U.S. Manufacturing Strength
May 17, 2013 11:19 am | Articles | CommentsDouglas K. Woods, President of The Association For Manufacturing Technology, discusses the state of U.S. manufacturing, job development, and what the industry can expect going forward. While today’s manufacturing industry is more sophisticated and high tech than ever before, he says, the industry still needs to address some critical issues to be successful in the future.
Kentucky Plant To Add 100 Full-Time Jobs
May 17, 2013 11:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAn auto parts maker is adding a new building and 100 full-time jobs to its operation in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC broke ground Wednesday on its second expansion since November. Gov. Steve Beshear's office said the company plans to add an 87,000-square-foot building with a capital investment of up to $66 million.
Prosecutors Want Closer Monitoring Of Ex-Mamtek CEO
May 17, 2013 11:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMissouri prosecutors want a judge to let them keep closer tabs on the former head of a failed artificial sweetener plant in Moberly. Attorney General Chris Koster's office said Thursday it has filed a motion in St. Charles County Circuit Court seeking to monitor ex-Mamtek CEO Bruce Cole with a wearable GPS device.
Alcoa To Cut 500 Canadian Jobs
May 17, 2013 11:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAluminum smelter and parts-maker Alcoa said on Thursday that it will close down two production lines at a plant in Canada and cut about 500 jobs there because of lower aluminum prices. A major portion of a planned upgrade for the facility in Quebec is being pushed back by three years, to 2019, the company said.
Labor Group: Apple Making Progress At Foxconn
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA labor group Apple Inc. joined to assess working conditions at three manufacturing plants in China, where its products are made, says conditions are improving. But employees are still working more hours than the country's legal limit. The Fair Labor Association said Thursday that Apple's largest supplier, Foxconn, has made all recommended improvements to working conditions that were due by the end of December.
4-Month Strike At Peugeot Plant Ends
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA four-month strike at a car factory north of Paris has come to an end, although the workers say they will still fight a plan to close the plant. PSA Peugeot Citroen said Friday that it had signed an agreement with the CGT union to end the strike, which started in January. The CGT called the strike "suspended."
Authorities: Crime Not Ruled Out In TX Blast
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | by Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press | News | CommentsInvestigators working in the remnants of an exploded Texas fertilizer plant sifted by hand through untold kernels of corn, moved tons of debris and conducted more than 400 interviews, while searching for the missing piece to solve what many officials compared to an extraordinary puzzle. One month after a fire triggered a massive blast killing 15 people, officials on Thursday had to declare the cause of the blaze as "undetermined."
Technical Support Competency
May 17, 2013 11:17 am | by Atlas Copco Compressors | Product Releases | CommentsThe new central Technical Support Competency Group can provide support for in-depth technical inquiries from customers, distributors, and employees across the United States.
LT-10 Lamp Tester
May 17, 2013 11:15 am | by Amprobe® | Product Releases | CommentsThe one-button LT-10 can verify in seconds whether fluorescent bulbs are operational prior to installation or removal making it ideal for facility and property maintenance teams with a large number of fixtures to maintain.
Explosion Proof Metal Halide
May 17, 2013 11:14 am | by Larson Electronics | Product Releases | CommentsThis explosion proof metal halide light produces light output from a compact fixture and gives operators the versatility of magnetic mounting for easier handling and operation.
Robotic Pallet Wrapper
May 17, 2013 11:11 am | by ITW Muller | Product Releases | CommentsThe GW- 4100 robotic pallet wrapper boasts speeds of 37 loads/hr and comes standard with a telescoping mast that allows for easy mobility, accommodating loads up to 6 feet, 11 inches.
LED Leak Detection
May 17, 2013 11:10 am | by Spectronics Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsOPTI-LUX™ 400 is designed to emit less visible light so industrial fluid leaks are easy to spot by their bright fluorescent glow.
Drawbridge Shelf Cart
May 17, 2013 11:08 am | by Creform Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsThe drawbridge shelf cart that is ideally suited for protecting and delivering totes, containers, or unpackaged parts from warehouse to sequential operations in production, says the company.
COFE Starter Kit
May 17, 2013 11:03 am | by VARGO | Product Releases | CommentsCOFE, Continuous Order Fulfillment Enterprise, processes orders within a distribution center using a demand driven waveless approach, says the company.


