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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Surviving The 1,000-Mile Commute
February 22, 2010 3:26 am | by Sharon Cohen, AP National Writer | News | CommentsJANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — In the early dawn, after another week building cars, Michael Hanley leaves his job in Kansas. He quickly zips into Missouri, then heads up a ribbon of highway past grain silos and grazing deer, across the frozen fields of Iowa, over the Mississippi River and into the rolling hills of Wisconsin.
Cranes In Dry Or Wet
February 19, 2010 11:09 am | Product Releases | CommentsDemag Cranes & Components (Cleveland, OH) is offering the CastMaster crane series, a custom-engineered crane system designed to improve the speed and efficiency for precast and prestressed product manufacturers using the WetCast or DryCast process. The system can result in a throughput improvement up to 20 percent in areas of the manufacturing process, according to the company.
Easy-To-Use Friction Testing
February 19, 2010 11:08 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Advanced Friction Tester from Gardco (Pomano Beach, FL) produces detailed fingerprints of new substrates, coatings, and production samples. These characteristic can be saved and compared at any time, allowing the manufacturer to specify the optimum surface finish for any packaging process.
High-TEK Industrial Fans
February 19, 2010 11:08 am | Product Releases | CommentsContinental Fan (Buffalo, NY) announces the TEK Plug Fans, which feature TEK backward curved airfoil wheels. The TEK Impellers combine precision injection molding techniques with modern high-strength plastics to produce a wheel that is stronger than steel, yet half the weight.
Get Comfortable With Lift Trucks
February 19, 2010 11:07 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Hyster Company (Greenville, NC) has launched a new series of lift trucks with lifting capacities of 55,000 to 70,000 lbs. The H550-700HD models are ideal for steel manufacturing, loading general cargo, and stacking loaded or unloaded containers. The newly designed models feature the ComforCab II operator compartment, which enhances operator comfort to maximize productivity.
Finding Their Comfort Zone
February 19, 2010 10:05 am | by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director | Articles | CommentsIt seems even a struggling economy has its, well, sweet spots. At least that's what Fort Wayne, IN-based Ellison Bakery is hoping after unveiling the first line of cookies to ever carry the 65-year-old bakery's name. The introduction of their Super-Moist line this past summer represents just one of many key decisions the company has made in transforming from humble beginnings in a two-car garage to a 120,000-square-foot operation.
Re-Shoring — Bringing Manufacturing Back To American Suppliers
February 19, 2010 10:00 am | by Michael Collins, President, MPC Management | Articles | CommentsIn May, the National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Metals Association will sponsor a re-shoring fair that will be all about bringing back work that has been outsourced to foreign competitors. You may be wondering why this is happening. Did President Obama negotiate a secret deal with the Chinese to reduce imports? Are omniscient customers anticipating the crash of the dollar? No it is not as simple as these answers.
Turbine Maker Recalls 79 Workers At Pa. Plant
February 19, 2010 3:59 am | News | CommentsEBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa has brought back 79 workers laid off from a western Pennsylvania plant in November. The company says it will also hire 50 more workers at its plant in Ebensburg, about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh. Company officials said in November that 141 people were laid off, including the 79 who have been recalled.
Is Wichita The Next Detroit?
February 19, 2010 3:50 am | by Molly McMillin, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita's business jetmakers sometimes think about Detroit. Not that many years ago, U.S. automakers weren't too concerned about emerging foreign competitors. Productivity was poor, costs were out of control, and they became complacent, said Cessna Aircraft CEO Jack Pelton.
Ind. Truck Part-Maker Shuttered, 225 Jobs Cut
February 19, 2010 3:35 am | News | CommentsELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana factory that makes truck parts is being shut down, with about 225 people to lose their jobs. Accuride Corp. spokeswoman Eva Schmitz says its Gunite Corp. factory in Elkhart will be closed by May 1. Its production will be moved to factories in Rockford, Ill.
Toyoda To Testify Before Congress Over Recalls
February 19, 2010 3:34 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, ,AP Business Writer | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Toyota's president Akio Toyoda, under fire for his handling of sweeping recalls, will testify before a congressional hearing next week, appealing to U.S. lawmakers and aggrieved customers for understanding while the company fixes its safety problems. Japanese officials praised the decision by Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder, to accept a formal invitation to explain the recalls and outline plans by the world's largest automaker to ensure safety and satisfy worried car buyers.
Exec Indicted In Price-Fixing, Bribery-Based Food Cartel
February 19, 2010 3:33 am | by Robin Hindery, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The former owner of a California food company was indicted Thursday in an alleged price-fixing plot that involved buyers for some of the nation's biggest food chains. A federal grand jury in Sacramento charged Frederick Scott Salyer with racketeering, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Eaton Suspends Production After Death
February 19, 2010 3:29 am | News | CommentsBELMOND, Iowa (AP) — The Eaton Corp. has suspended production at its plant in Belmond after a worker died on the job. Company officials say 51-year-old Doug Barkema, of Belmond, died in an accident at the plant Wednesday afternoon. Jason Smith, director of North American Automotives for Eaton, says production will not be restarted until officials determine what happened.
Finding The Right Manufacturer For Your RFID Hardware
February 18, 2010 10:07 am | by Tamara Harri s, RFID Wizards | Articles | CommentsAs in any consideration when trying to produce a product, there are a number of factors that need to be considered in selecting a manufacturer. Cost, quality, reliability and deliverability are just a few. When looking at manufacturing RFID hardware, however, all of the above factors and more should come into consideration.
I'm Suing You, And You, And You
February 18, 2010 8:40 am | by by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsWe’ve all heard enough talk about Toyota’s recalls and quality control troubles of late, and I’ll do my best to not repeat what’s already been said about the company. Frankly, I’ve grown tired of it, and I’m sure some of you have as well.
