The Leading Source for Industrial Maintenance News
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Ford Union Summons Execs To Detroit
October 9, 2009 4:37 am | by Ken Thomas and Tom Krisher, Associated Press Writers | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has summoned representatives from Ford factories across the nation to Detroit on Tuesday to discuss contract talks with the automaker. Union President Ron Gettelfinger confirmed the meeting after a charity appearance in Washington on Thursday night but would not elaborate.
GM Sets Sales Record In China
October 9, 2009 4:28 am | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — General Motors Corp. said Friday it set a sales record in China in September and total sales for the first nine months of the year rose 55 percent to nearly 1.3 million vehicles. GM and other global automakers are looking to China's fast-growing market to drive sales amid slack demand elsewhere.
Tata Motors Fundraises For $750m Jaguar
October 9, 2009 4:16 am | by Erika Kinetz, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsMUMBAI, India (AP) — India's Tata Motors has raised $750 million from international markets to help pay for its 2008 acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Co., the company said Friday. Tata Motors said it's issuing 29.9 million new shares, worth $375 million, in the form of Global Depository Shares at $12.
Monsanto Under Antitrust Investigation
October 8, 2009 12:10 pm | News | CommentsST. LOUIS (AP) — Monsanto Co. says the Justice Department is investigating whether it violated antitrust rules in trying to expand its dominance of the market for genetically engineered crops. The department's investigation of Monsanto is part of a previously announced inquiry into consolidation in the seed industry.
LED Manufacturer To Expand, Add 575 Jobs
October 8, 2009 12:05 pm | News | CommentsDURHAM, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina-based maker of energy-efficient lighting elements is expanding and plans to add 575 jobs in the next three years. Cree Inc. said Thursday it expects to add 275 jobs this year as it expands production of light-emitting diode chips at its Durham plant.
Man Causes $50m Fire At Meatpacker, Gets 90 Days In Jail
October 8, 2009 6:30 am | by Dinesh Ramde, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsMILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee man whose military flare sparked a $50 million meatpacking plant fire this summer has been sentenced to 90 days in jail. Joshua J. Popp was also sentenced Thursday to three years probation and 500 hours of community service. The 23-year-old apologized and said he took responsibility for his actions.
The Mysteries Of Ketchup
October 8, 2009 4:16 am | Articles | CommentsEver wondered how ketchup is manufactured? This video will take you through (most of) the process, save for the "myserious" blue bags containing the Heinz secret recipe. And ironically enough, they actually have a test to make sure that the ketchup is next to impossible to extract from those glass bottles.
Dell To Close NC Plant, Cut 905 Workers
October 7, 2009 10:02 am | News | CommentsROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) — Dell Inc. says it will close a desktop computer manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina by the end of January. The computer maker said Wednesday that 905 people will be laid off, with around 600 to be let go next month. The plant closure is part of a plan to save $4 billion a year at Dell by 2011.
Cummins Recalls 270 Workers To Build Ram Engines
October 7, 2009 6:55 am | News | CommentsCOLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — Diesel-engine maker Cummins Inc. said Wednesday that it wants to recall about 270 laid off or transferred production workers to meet an increase in orders for Dodge Ram turbo diesel pickup truck engines. Chrysler Group LLC is attempting to build inventory for its 2010 model heavy duty Dodge Ram pickup, which is powered by Cummins' 6.
Combustible Dust At Imperial Sugar
October 7, 2009 5:54 am | Articles | CommentsThe CSB has investigated the Imperial Sugar refinery explosion of 2008, and has concluded that combustible dust was to blame for the deaths of 14 workers and injuries of many more. The company did not properly clean up after combustible dust, particularly that which accumulated on hard-to-reach places like light fixtures and beam, and did not provide adequate ventilation systems for dust in the air.
Thermo Fisher Closing Iowa Plant
October 7, 2009 4:36 am | News | CommentsDUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced plans to close its plant in Dubuque next year, eliminating 350 jobs. The company that makes equipment for industrial and laboratory use says in a news release on Tuesday that it plans to begin layoffs in January. The layoffs will continue in phases until the plant closes at the end of September 2010.
Delphi Emerges From 4-Year Bankruptcy Protection
October 7, 2009 4:24 am | by Bree Fowler, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Auto parts supplier Delphi finally exited bankruptcy protection on Tuesday nearly four years to the day it filed for Chapter 11. Delphi emerged as a new company after completing a deal with its lenders and receiving a promise for billions in loans from GM, which once owned Delphi and buys critical parts from them.
15,000 Romanian Strikers Chant 'Down with government!'
October 7, 2009 4:11 am | by Alison Mutler, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Some 15,000 Romanian workers from all over the country protested low wages in the capital on Wednesday, rallying outside government headquarters to demand leaders do something to increase their pay. Workers blew whistles, sounded ambulance sirens, yelled "unity, unity!" and "Down with the government!" The minority government is to face a confidence vote in Parliament on Tuesday after its coalition partner the Social Democratic Party quit last week.
Chinese Medical Manufacturer To Build Baton Rouge Plant
October 7, 2009 4:07 am | News | CommentsBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Chinese company plans to build a plant in Baton Rouge to manufacturer a radiation treatment device. Huiheng Medical Inc. would employ up to 300 people at salaries of up to $75,000 if the Food and Drug Administration approves the device, the company's chief executive, Xiaobing Hui said Tuesday through an interpreter.
Caterpillar Cuts 100 More Indiana Workers
October 7, 2009 4:00 am | News | CommentsLAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Caterpillar Inc. plans to lay off about 100 workers from an Indiana engine plant where it has already cut hundreds of jobs. Company spokesman Jim Dugan says about 106 production employees will be included in the layoffs that will start in November at the Large Engine Center in Lafayette.
