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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Juror: EEOC Verdict In Iowa Sends A Message
May 2, 2013 2:14 pm | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsA juror says she wanted to send a message by supporting a historic $240 million verdict for 32 mentally disabled men who faced decades of abuse by a Texas company: Never again. Juror Robin Griebel outlined her rationale for awarding $7.5 million to each former employee of Henry's Turkey Service, while the men, their attorney and relatives celebrated Wednesday's verdict.
Judge Gives Major Break In GM Theft Case
May 2, 2013 2:13 pm | by Ed White, Associated Press | News | CommentsA former General Motors engineer convicted of stealing thousands of pages of hybrid technology was sentenced Wednesday to just a year and a day in prison, far below the punishment sought by the government in a case that involved her husband and an alleged scheme to take the trade secrets to China.
U.S. Trade Deficit Falls To $38.8B In March
May 2, 2013 2:11 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe U.S. trade deficit narrowed in March for a second month as the daily flow of imported crude oil dropped to the lowest level in 17 years. The deficit with China hit a three-year low. The trade deficit decreased to $38.8 billion, an 11 percent drop from February's $43.6 billion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
Ford Adding 2,000 Workers To MO Plant
May 2, 2013 2:10 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. said Thursday that it's adding 2,000 workers to the Missouri plant that makes the F-150 pickup because of surging U.S. truck demand. The company plans to add a shift with 900 workers in the third quarter of this year to make pickups. That's in addition to the 1,100 workers Ford will hire to make the new Transit van. Those workers will start in the fourth quarter.
Steel Firm To Add Jobs To Supply CAT Plant
May 2, 2013 2:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA steel fabricator plans to add more than 150 jobs over the next three years at its Dawson County plant, company executives said, to supply parts for a new Caterpillar production facility near Athens. The Times of Gainesville reported that Impulse Manufacturing will produce parts for several small excavators that will be produced at the new Caterpillar plant.
If Cars Could Talk, Accidents Might be Avoidable
May 2, 2013 1:36 pm | by Ted | Videos | CommentsWhen we drive, we get into a glass bubble, lock the doors and press the accelerator, relying on our eyes to guide us -- even though we can only see the few cars ahead of and behind us. But what if cars could share data with each other about their position and velocity, and use predictive models to calculate the safest routes for everyone on the road? Jennifer Healey imagines a world without accidents.
Quincy Compressor Acquires Four National Pump & Compressor Midwest Branches
May 2, 2013 12:40 pm | by Quincy Compressor | News | CommentsQuincy Compressor has acquired the assets of four National Pump & Compressor’s (NPC) branches in the state of Illinois. Formerly operating as Cochrane Compressor and acquired by NPC in 2009, the acquired company has been a Quincy distributor for more than 60 years.
Care-O-Bot, The Future Of Home Help For Seniors
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Reuters | Videos | CommentsScientists at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart have unveiled a third generation robot prototype, designed to assist the elderly in their homes. The 'Care-o-bot 3' is equipped to detect, grasp and carry ordinary household objects on command, and bring a measure of independence to the aged and infirm.
The Death Of Innovation, The End Of Growth
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsThe U.S. economy has been expanding wildly for two centuries. Are we witnessing the end of growth? Economist Robert Gordon lays out 4 reasons U.S. growth may be slowing, detailing factors like epidemic debt and growing inequality, which could move the U.S. into a period of stasis we can't innovate our way out of. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Erik Brynjolfsson.
The Key To Growth? Race With The Machines
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsAs machines take on more jobs, many find themselves out of work or with raises indefinitely postponed. Is this the end of growth? No, says Erik Brynjolfsson -- it’s simply the growing pains of a radically reorganized economy. A riveting case for why big innovations are ahead of us … if we think of computers as our teammates. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Robert Gordon.
GM CEO: Volt Will Be Profitable
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by CNN Money | Videos | CommentsGeneral Motors CEO Dan Akerson tells Fortune that the second generation of the Chevy Volt will be cheaper to make and profitable. Looking to the future, GM hopes to have a half million cars on the road with some form of electrification by 2017.
Checking voltage frequency ratio on variable speed drives
May 1, 2013 5:03 pm | by Fluke | White PapersWith their unique triggering and measuring functions, Fluke ScopeMeter 190 Series II portable oscilloscopes are ideal for analyzing the voltage-frequency ratio of pulse-width-modulated variable speed drives.
Michigan Manufacturing International: A New Name, New Web Site
May 1, 2013 2:41 pm | by Michigan Manufacturing International | News | CommentsMichigan Mechanical, a broad line supplier of high-quality mechanical assemblies and components, is pleased to announce the company’s new name: Michigan Manufacturing International (MMI). The new name provides a more accurate description of the company’s services and reflects its global presence.
Greenlee Textron Acquires Sherman & Reilly, Inc.
May 1, 2013 2:33 pm | News | CommentsIn a strategic move to broaden its position in the utility segment, Greenlee, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it has acquired ownership of Sherman & Reilly, Inc., a manufacturer of underground and aerial transmission and distribution products based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Abused Disabled IA Plant Workers Awarded $240M
May 1, 2013 2:09 pm | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsAn Iowa jury on Wednesday awarded a total of $240 million to 32 mentally disabled Iowa turkey processing plant workers for what government lawyers described as years of around-the-clock abuse and discrimination by the Texas company that oversaw their care, work and lodging.


