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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Competitive Edge
June 17, 2013 4:40 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsManufacturing in America isn’t as simple as just setting up shop and producing a product. Nowadays, a globally networking economy means competition has taken on more nuance: labor rates are eroded by low cost countries, which results in lower cost imported goods and an ever-sloping playing field.
The Latest Numbers
June 17, 2013 4:35 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsU.S. manufacturing lost over 2 million jobs between December 2007 and December 2009 — 17 percent of its workforce. While the U.S. hasn’t yet regained all of those jobs lost from the sector, about 12 million Americans are employed in manufacturing today. “Since the recession, manufacturing has been the driver for recovery and continuous economic growth,” says Douglas K. Woods, AMT president.
Veterans Get Skills to Work
June 17, 2013 3:44 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsThe veteran unemployment problem is a nuanced one. According to DoSomething.org, the country’s largest not-for-profit for young people and social change, the unemployment rate for veterans is three percent higher than that of the general population — with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) cited as the leading cause.
Toshiba: Made In America
June 17, 2013 3:34 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsMany don’t think of Toshiba as an American-made brand, especially when it comes to the U.S. automotive market. And for quite some time, that was true. Since 2003, Toshiba had manufactured HEV motors for Ford Motor Company at its Japan facility. But in 2011, under the weight of supply chain pressures and growing currency risks, Toshiba Industrial Corporation began manufacturing motors for Ford’s hybrid vehicles in Houston, TX.
Lear Assembly Plant Drives Integrated Systems & Quality Assurance
June 17, 2013 3:29 pm | Articles | CommentsLear Corporation’s 94,000-square-foot, four assembly line seating plant in Montgomery, AL is one of the most modern and efficient facilities of its kind. At peak production, Lear builds approximately 1,000 seat sets per day or 73 sets per hour in 56 distinct combinations of colors and options for the Hyundai Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV built at Hyundai’s Alabama plant.
Diamond Tool Enables Sikorsky Helicopters to Overcome Production Stop
June 17, 2013 3:27 pm | Articles | CommentsSometimes the most experienced technicians or skilled toolmakers need to look to specialists outside when it comes to solving critical service problems. Such was the case when a legendary helicopter company was confronted with a worldwide problem in cleaning scale from a small, outsourced part that was preventing it from proceeding with production of its helicopters all over the world.
Unsuccessful Job Applicants Seek Hiring Records
June 17, 2013 2:18 pm | by Kate Brumback, Associated Press | News | CommentsDocuments having to do with a state agency's involvement in recruiting and hiring workers for a private company should be available to the public, a lawyer for four unsuccessful applicants for jobs at a Georgia auto plant argued Monday.
Nuclear Weapons Plant To Improve Fire Safety
June 17, 2013 2:16 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsPantex, the country's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly plant, has completed main construction on a $35M project that is designed to improve fire protection at the facility. The new construction comes after the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board raised safety concerns earlier this year.
Texas Gov. Courts CT Gun Makers On Tour
June 17, 2013 2:14 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsTexas Gov. Rick Perry has come to Connecticut in search of gun manufacturing and other jobs while talking up the importance of competition. Perry met privately with gun manufacturers and other businesses at a downtown Hartford restaurant on Monday. He told reporters it's part of his state's drive to compete for jobs.
2 Remain Hospitalized After LA Explosions
June 17, 2013 2:13 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal investigators are at two chemical plants that were the sites of fatal explosions last week, and two people remain hospitalized. CF Industries Holdings Inc. spokeswoman Blythe Lamonica says a team from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was at the plant Sunday.
Hundreds Sickened In Bangladesh Garment Factory
June 17, 2013 2:11 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsSeveral hundred garment workers were sickened at their factory outside Bangladesh's capital on Sunday, apparently after drinking water there. Police official Mohammad Jahid said many of the workers were treated at various hospitals after the incident at East West Factory in Gazipur district.
Company Drops Plans For NV Solar Project
June 17, 2013 2:10 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA Chinese-backed company is dropping plans for a major solar project near the Colorado River resort town of Laughlin, Nev. ENN Mojave Energy LLC has informed Clark County officials that it's terminating its agreement to purchase 9,000 acres after it was unable to find customers for the power that would have been generated there.
Boeing's 787 Nightmare Is Over
June 17, 2013 1:46 pm | by CNN Money | Videos | CommentsIt wasn't that long ago that the Boeing 787 was having some problems with its battery, leading to many airlines grounding their 787s. Now, the Dreamliner maker's stock is the 2nd best performer in the Dow this year as worries about Boeing's 787 battery problems fade.
Police: 1 Dead, 7 Hurt In 2nd LA Plant Blast
June 17, 2013 10:15 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA second blast in two days has killed a worker at a south Louisiana chemical plant, just miles from the site where two workers were killed a day earlier. The latest explosion also injured seven people, some severely, State Police Trooper Jared Sandifer said late Friday.
Chrysler Freezes Pension Plan For 8,000 Employees
June 17, 2013 10:09 am | by Sarah Skidmore, Associated Press | News | CommentsChrysler Group LLC said Friday that it is freezing the pensions of roughly 8,000 U.S. salaried employees at the end of the year. The U.S. automaker said it is making the move to stay in line with industry trends and to comply with IRS regulations. The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company declined to detail the specifics of the IRS issue, but said it is currently in compliance.
