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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Updated Chevy Aveo, Ford Focus Steal Spotlight In Detroit
January 18, 2010 3:46 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — More than any auto show in recent memory, the new cars rolled out this week out at the Detroit auto show will redefine what we drive in the future. As the show opened to the public on Saturday, small cars that push the previous limits on gas mileage, performance, quality and looks took the spotlight.
Montana Seeks Emergency Grant For Smurfit-Stone Workers
January 18, 2010 3:41 am | News | CommentsFRENCHTOWN, Mont. (AP) — Montana labor officials are applying for a federal emergency grant to help businesses and workers affected by the closure of the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. linerboard plant in Frenchtown. Montana Department of Labor program manager Kathy Yankoff says the grant would protect the state's dislocated worker funds from being depleted.
Fisker Raises $115 Million For High-Tech Hybrids
January 18, 2010 3:38 am | by Dan Strumpf, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Fisker Automotive, a high-tech startup company, said Friday it has raised $115.3 million to develop high-end hybrid cars, bringing it closer to accessing a government loan it won last year. Fisker spokesman Russell Datz said the money brings the company close to being able to tap a $528.
Tyson Sued, Loses For "Raised Without Antibiotics" Farce
January 18, 2010 3:37 am | News | CommentsBALTIMORE, Md. (AP) — A judge has given preliminary approval to a settlement in a lawsuit that involves the nation's largest poultry producer, Tyson Foods Inc. The company would pay consumers $5 million in refunds to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of falsely claiming that its chickens were "raised without antibiotics.
What's In Your Paint?
January 15, 2010 11:11 am | Articles | CommentsThe motto “any publicity is good publicity” is not always the case. Imagine picking up the Sunday paper and seeing the headline, “Popular Retailer Recalls Millions of Children’s Toys.” Then, imagine the popular retailer in the article is you.
Automation As An Investment
January 15, 2010 7:30 am | by Paul J. Galeski, Maverick Technologies | Articles | CommentsAs every business executive knows all too well, high-return, low-risk investments are hard — if not impossible — to find these days. The economy continues to look uncertain at best, with the stock market having reached its lowest level in many years and numerous companies declaring bankruptcy, including American icons like General Motors and Chrysler.
The Benefits of Deploying AC Drives
January 15, 2010 7:06 am | by Jacob Kimball, AC Drives Product Specialist, Schneider Electric | Articles | CommentsVariable speed AC drives are crucial in food and beverage manufacturing to improve energy efficiency, but that's just the beginning. For example, predictive downtime capabilities built into an AC drive reduce process downtime potential. This benefit can help avoid missed deadlines and product spoilage, while increasing cost savings.
Wireless Marches On...
January 15, 2010 7:06 am | by Bob Karschnia, Vice President of Wireless, Emerson Process Management | Articles | CommentsThe use of wireless technology to reduce engineering and construction costs while increasing productivity is being realized by more and more chemical companies. In that vein, Emerson has added a number of new products and solutions, including full redundancy, which enables further wireless adoption for control and critical monitoring applications.
Ergonomic Relief For Tough-To-Reach Spots
January 15, 2010 5:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe compact Tool Box Kneeler from Bennette Design Group and ErgoPads (Millis, MA) is made of soft, but supportive foam, and helps increase comfort for employees who have to work on their knees. The Kneeler also fits inside most toolboxes, allowing for easy transport and storage, and is made from a black, rugged “closed cell” foam that hides stains and dirt.
Tensioning, Simplified
January 15, 2010 5:51 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Tensioner, a ready-to-mount tension mechanism from Misumi USA (Schaumburg, IL), helps reduce design and assembly time for end users. The product comes as a fully assembled unit, complete with slotted holes and adjustment screws for easy mounting, installation, and tension control.
Thermoplastic Go-Anywhere Springs
January 15, 2010 5:50 am | Product Releases | CommentsLee Spring (Brooklyn, NY) introduces LeeP Plastic Composite Springs, which combine the strength of metal with the special attributes of high-performing engineered thermoplastics. The springs are fabricated from distinctive formations of Ultem* PEI resins, and are stocked in a variety of standard sizes, each available in a variety of strengths.
Squeaky Clean Conduits
January 15, 2010 5:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsGeneral Machine Products Company, Inc. (GMP, Trevose, PA) announces the Heavy Duty Stiff Spine Conduit Cleaners to its line of underground cable placement tools and equipment. The cleaners are designed to remove obstructions like dirt, ash, sand, oxides, and debris from utility conduits.
Miss. Lawmakers Impatient Over Toyota Back Rent
January 15, 2010 3:54 am | by Shelia Byrd, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Some Mississippi legislators are becoming impatient about the interest payments Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to make on money the state borrowed to bring a $1 billion car plant in Blue Springs. State Treasurer Tate Reeves told lawmakers during a fiscal briefing at the Capitol on Thursday that discussions are ongoing about when the automaker would begin making payments.
Food Manufacturer Expands Nationwise Listeria Recall
January 15, 2010 3:40 am | News | CommentsST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota food company its expanding its voluntary nationwide recall. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says Parkers Farm took that action after the department determined that all products made at the company's Coon Rapids plant may have been contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
World's Cheapest 'Nano' Car Readied For U.S. Sale
January 15, 2010 3:36 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — The world's cheapest car is being readied for sale in the U.S., but by the time India's Tata Nano is retrofitted to meet emissions and safety standards, it won't be that cheap. Tata Technologies Ltd., the global engineering arm of the Tata group conglomerate, brought the tiny car to Detroit as a publicity stunt for the engineering group.
