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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Ford To End Auto Production In Australia In 2016
May 23, 2013 12:14 pm | by Kristen Gelineau, Associated Press | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. said Thursday it will close its two Australian auto plants, ending production in the country in 2016, amid soaring manufacturing costs and plummeting sales. The closure of the U.S. automaker's plants in the state of Victoria will mean the loss of 1,200 jobs and will transform the company into an import-only brand in Australia.
Chevy Spark To Be Among Lowest-Price Electric Cars
May 23, 2013 12:12 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co. says the Spark EV subcompact will be among the lowest-priced electric cars in the U.S. The electric Spark will have a starting price of $27,495 when it goes on sale next month in California and Oregon. GM also is offering a low-mileage lease for $199 per month, with $999 due when the lease is signed.
GM Recalling Cadillac SUVs To Tighten Wheels
May 23, 2013 12:11 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co. is recalling more than 27,000 Cadillac SUVs worldwide because the wheels can fall off. The company says the recall affects the 2013 Cadillac SRX with 18-inch wheels. Canadian safety regulators say the wheel nuts may not have been tightened enough at the factory.
Survey: China Manufacturing Contracting
May 23, 2013 12:10 pm | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA survey shows China's manufacturing contracted this month, adding to signs a fragile recovery in the world's No. 2 economy is slowing. HSBC Corp. said Thursday the preliminary version of its monthly purchasing managers index fell to a seven-month low of 49.6 from April's 50.4 on a 100-point scale. Numbers below 50 show a contraction.
Fire Marshal's Office: Panel Had Blast Site Access
May 23, 2013 12:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe State Fire Marshal's Office says a federal safety panel's investigators had access to the site of a Texas fertilizer plant blast that killed 15 people and injured about 200 others. The chairman of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board had asked for congressional help in obtaining evidence under the control of the state agency and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Driving Out Costs Using Manufacturing Project Management
May 23, 2013 10:51 am | by Manufacturing Business Technology | Videos | CommentsProject management is particularly effective in a manufacturing environment, considering the number of variables involved such as maintenance schedules and projects, run times, and quality control. But if you're like a lot of manufacturers, project management is really a five-letter word.
What Is Cloud Computing?
May 23, 2013 8:03 am | by Dell | Videos | CommentsDell and Intel experts discuss where cloud computing began, where it is now, and what quantitative and qualitative results it can bring to your enterprise. Smaller companies generally choose to start off with a public cloud, but as they grow, they bring those functions back in-house and create their own private cloud. Watch to learn more.
Learn From "Dirty Jobs"
May 23, 2013 8:02 am | by CNN | Videos | CommentsMike Rowe discusses what he learned working at QVC, his grandfather's influence, and what "Dirty Jobs" accomplished. From selling lava lamps to hosting the hit "Dirty Jobs," Rowe talks about a necessary skill that allowed him to work in Hollywood.
Ram 1500: Good Looks, Great Truck
May 23, 2013 8:01 am | by CNN Money | Videos | CommentsThe Ram 1500 combines great looks with fuel efficiency, air suspension, and real truck performance, reports CNN Money's Senior Writer Peter Valdes-Dapena. With nice looks both inside and out, the Ram 1500 also offers a fuel-saving eight speed transmission.
Webinar: Clean Up The Process
May 22, 2013 2:41 pm | by Manufacturing Business Technology | EventsProject management is particularly effective in a manufacturing environment, considering the number of variables involved such as maintenance schedules and projects, run times, and quality control.
EU Leaders Discuss Fight Against Tax Evasion
May 22, 2013 2:15 pm | by Juergen Baetz, Raf Casert, Associated Press | News | CommentsEuropean Union leaders on Wednesday sought to advance their fight against tax fraud and close the loopholes for large corporations' tax avoidance schemes. European officials say tax fraud costs the 27-nation bloc an estimated 1 trillion euros ($1.3 trillion) a year at a time when much of the region is in recession and governments are forced to tighten their budgets.
Italy Seizes 1.2B Euros From Steel Family
May 22, 2013 2:13 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMilan prosecutors have ordered the seizure of 1.2 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in assets belonging to the family that runs a troubled steel plant in southern Italy. Prosecutors allege in the order Wednesday that the real estate, stocks and other financial assets belonging to the Riva family were obtained through the misuse of funds belonging to the Ilva steel plant.
Tesla Shows Model S To Influence NC Auto Bill
May 22, 2013 2:11 pm | by Chris Kardish, Associated Press | News | CommentsNorth Carolina lawmakers and passersby stopped to take in a display of Tesla Motors' award-winning electric cars Wednesday as the company presses against a bill in the General Assembly that effectively outlaws Tesla's Internet-based sales model.
German Co., Pepsi Open NY Yogurt Plant
May 22, 2013 2:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA second yogurt plant is about to open in a Genesee County business park. Sen. Charles Schumer says the Muller Quaker Dairy plant will have a grand opening on June 3. The $206 million dollar plant is a joint venture of PepsiCo and Germany's Theo Muller company.
Boeing Examining Speed-Ups On 787, 737
May 22, 2013 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBoeing may accelerate production of two of its most popular planes — the 787 and the 737. It's already doubling 787 production, from 5 per month last year, on its way toward 10 per month by the end of this year. The efficiency of the 787, Boeing's newest plane, has made it very popular with airlines. The company has orders for more than 800 that it hasn't built yet.



