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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
GM Shreveport Recieves Order For 849 Hummers
March 10, 2010 3:29 am | News | CommentsSHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — General Motors has received a fleet order for 849 Hummers, so the Shreveport plantwon't shut down for two weeks in May, after all. GM spokesman Otie McKinley says the plant has a month to build the H3s and H3Ts. He says Hummer production will resume April 12, and the order must be completed by May 13.
Chevron Cuts 2,000 'Downstream' Jobs
March 10, 2010 3:28 am | by Sandy Shore, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsChevron Corp. said Tuesday it will cut 2,000 jobs this year and sell some overseas operations as it revamps its struggling refinery, marketing and transportation operations. The job cuts represent almost 12 percent of its 17,000 workers in the so-called downstream part of its business and just over 3 percent of its overall work force.
Reid Supply Ready For High-Speed Rail Surge
March 9, 2010 6:30 am | News | CommentsMuskegon, Michigan — Reid Supply Company, a Michigan-based, premier global distributor of industrial supplies for more than 60 years has responded to government’s need for a multipurpose convenience point for builders of rail systems, roads and bridges. The company recently added more than 8,000 items to its online web site and offers free CAD drawings of most of their industrial parts.
How Does Your Gearbox Sound?
March 9, 2010 6:21 am | by Todd R. Bobak, Sumitomo Drive Technologies | Articles | CommentsIntroduction Sound can be a very subjective thing. What may sound “unusual” to one individual may very well sound “normal” to another. As a method of diagnosing a potential problem with a gearbox or gearmotor, the sound coming from it should not solely be relied upon to determine whether-or-not a problem exists.
Prep For Compressed Air Drying
March 9, 2010 5:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsVan Air Systems (Lake City, PA) now offers the Prep40, a complete package in portable compressed air drying. All Prep40 models are designed for applications needing mobility and dew points down to -40 or -100°F. Typical applications include pipeline drying or critical sandblast and painting operations.
10,000 Volts? No Problem
March 9, 2010 5:33 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Bondhus Corporation (Monticello, MN) introduces a full line of high quality insulated tools through its German marketing partner, FELO. The screwdrivers, bit drivers, and pliers are tested and certified to comply with all critical safety standards, including insulation safety testing at 10,000 volts.
Advanced Controller Intelligence
March 9, 2010 5:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Baghouse controller from FilterSense (Beverly, MA) features DeviceNet communications for integration with Allen-Bradley PLCs. The B-PAC series of Baghouse analyzers and controllers feature advanced intelligence, such as the ability to instantly detect and locate failed solenoids and filter leaks.
Magnetic-Free Positioning
March 9, 2010 5:31 am | Product Releases | CommentsTURCK (Minneapolis, MN) introduces the new LI-Q25 series linear position sensors, which replace magnetostrictive and potentiometer devices to deliver precise measurements in metal processors, rolling mills, or injection molding machines. The LI-Q25 sensors do not require a magnetic positioning device, so they are unaffected by metal debris.
Detroit Downsizes To Save Itself
March 9, 2010 4:07 am | by David Runk, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Detroit, the very symbol of American industrial might for most of the 20th century, is drawing up a radical renewal plan that calls for turning large swaths of this now-blighted, rusted-out city back into the fields and farmland that existed before the automobile. Operating on a scale never before attempted in this country, the city would demolish houses in some of the most desolate sections of Detroit and move residents into stronger neighborhoods.
P&G Recalls 'Taco Night' Pringles For Salmonella
March 9, 2010 3:55 am | News | CommentsCINCINNATI (AP) — Procter & Gamble Co. has recalled two versions of Pringles chips because of concerns about potential Salmonella exposure. The Cincinnati-based consumer products maker says the Cheeseburger and "Taco Night" versions of the snack are being recalled. The company is offering replacement coupons or refunds.
Nature's Valley Expands Pet Food Recall
March 9, 2010 3:42 am | News | CommentsLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nature's Variety has expanded its recall of chicken-flavored pet food because of concerns over salmonella. The Lincoln, Neb.-based company said Monday that the raw, frozen food is being recalled because it could be contaminated with salmonella. The recall includes three-pound packages of chicken medallions, six-pound packages of chicken patties and two-pound packages of chicken chubs.
Exelixis Cuts 270 Biotechnology Jobs
March 9, 2010 3:41 am | News | CommentsSOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP) — Biotechnology company Exelixis Inc. plans to eliminate about 270 jobs, or around 40 percent of its staff, as it tries to save money and continue development of cancer drugs with Sanofi-Aventis SA and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. After the market closed on Monday, Exelixis said it will cut jobs and restructure its business to focus on its most advanced drugs.
EU Warns U.S. Of Boeing-Over-Northrop Protectionism
March 9, 2010 3:39 am | by Slobodan Lekic, AP Aviation Writer | News | CommentsBRUSSELS (AP) — The EU on Tuesday warned the United States against protectionism after a European-led consortium pulled out of the bidding for an Air Force contract, saying the terms had been altered to favor a U.S. company. EADS, the parent company of Airbus, had partnered with Northrop Grumman to vie for the tanker project, but their consortium pulled out on Monday.
Miss. Officials Disgusted Over Loss Of Tanker Contract
March 9, 2010 3:38 am | News | CommentsJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi officials expressed both disappointment and disgust with a Pentagon process that prompted Northrop Grumman Corp. to drop out of the competition for an Air Force refueling tanker contract. The Northrop proposal had set off a celebration along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Mobile, Ala.
Apple Cares About Your Employees
March 9, 2010 3:33 am | by by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Blogs | CommentsYesterday, it was reported that Apple found more than a dozen serious labor law violations that needed quick fixing – keep in mind that this includes Apple’s own labor policies to which its suppliers need adhere. Similar to Wal-Mart’s green supplier push after a history of eco-PR terrorism, Apple took the initiative when an employee from a Chinese iPhone factory leapt off of the 12th floor of his apartment building after a prototype went missing.
