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NH Gov. Secures Back Pay For Neglected Workers
September 4, 2009 4:58 am | News | CommentsPEMBROKE, N.H. (AP) — The state has secured back pay for workers who suddenly lost their jobs when Precision Technology in Pembroke, N.H., shut its doors last week. Employees had been told to leave the business without warning, and the next morning, many of the company's 130 workers gathered outside, demanding paychecks.
'Clunkers' Program Jump-starts August Sales
September 4, 2009 4:18 am | News | CommentsPersonal opinions and long-term impact aside, the much ballyhooed CARS program did help some automotive OEMs see significant sales increases during the month of August: Toyota U.S.A. reported August vehicle sales of 225,088 vehicles, up 10.5 percent over one year ago. Passenger cars recorded an all-time, best-ever month with sales of 142,529 units, up 32.
CT Offers $100m To Keep 1,000 Pratt & Whitney Jobs
September 3, 2009 12:37 pm | by Stephen Singer, AP Manufacturing Writer | News | CommentsHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell offered $100 million worth of incentives Thursday to jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney to prevent the possible loss of about 1,000 jobs. The five-year plan includes lifting a cap on tax credits for parent corporation United Technologies Corp.
Alcoa Brightens Outlook For Global Aluminum Demand
September 3, 2009 12:29 pm | News | CommentsPITTSBURGH (AP) — Alcoa Inc. said Thursday it had boosted its annual forecast for global aluminum consumption, driven by higher demand from China. The largest U.S. aluminum producer now expects worldwide demand for the lightweight metal to shrink by 5.5 percent rather than 7 percent as forecast in July, when Alcoa reported its third straight quarterly loss.
Man Killed At US Steel's Clairton Coke Works
September 3, 2009 11:44 am | News | CommentsCLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — A man has died after an explosion and fire at United States Steel Corp.'s Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh that also injured another person. A company spokeswoman confirmed the death in Thursday's explosion, but the company isn't releasing his name. He was a contractor doing maintenance in the plant.
Bringing Manufacturing Back To The U.S.
September 3, 2009 8:58 am | Blogs | CommentsDiagnostic Devices, Inc. (DDI), a maker of blood glucose monitoring systems, recently moved operations from China back to the U.S. and still managed to cut operating costs by roughly 40 percent. How did they do it? Can American manufacturers be competitive with China? Pete Bosak, director of public relations at DDI, sat down with Manufacturing.
2 Missing Workers Found In PA Oil Fire, 1 Injured
September 3, 2009 8:49 am | News | CommentsCREIGHTON, Pa. (AP) — Emergency dispatchers say two workers who were unaccounted for after oil spilled and caught fire at a plant near Pittsburgh have been found, but one has been injured. Allegheny County dispatchers say the fire at Pitt Penn Oil Co. in East Deer Township was reported about 11:30 a.
Sun-Times Closing Chicago-Area Printing Press
September 3, 2009 8:44 am | News | CommentsCHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Sun-Times' parent company is closing a suburban printing plant, which is expected to cost 70 jobs. Sun-Times spokeswoman Tammy Chase confirms the Sun-Times Media Group plans to close its Pioneer Press printing plant in Northfield. Pioneer Press publishes dozens of Chicago-area community newspapers owned by the ailing conglomerate.
TN Company Buys Gramercy Alumina Plant, Hikes Production
September 3, 2009 6:36 am | News | CommentsGRAMERCY, La. (AP) — At a time when aluminum producers are struggling with low prices and excess capacity, the new owners of the Gramercy Alumina plant in St. James Parish are ramping up production to gain market share, company officials said Thursday. "By increasing our production, we're really trying to take advantage of well-positioned assets," said Kyle Lorentzen, chief operating officer of Noranda Aluminum, which acquired full ownership of the 50-year-old alumina plant in Gramercy this week and told some of its 470 employees "if we're not growing, we're dying.
Boeing Plane Deliveries Drop 22% In August
September 3, 2009 6:15 am | News | CommentsPITTSBURGH (AP) — Airplane maker Boeing says deliveries of its commercial jets slid 22 percent and orders fell 11 percent in August, as airlines cancel or postpone plans to buy new planes. Chicago-based Boeing said Thursday it delivered 28 passenger and cargo jets last month. That's down from 36 during the same month last year, according to figures posted on the company's Web site.
BMW's Prius-Crushing 'Vision'
September 3, 2009 5:25 am | Articles | CommentsThe new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept was introduced this week, featuring a hybrid drive system that pushes current technology to the limit. Forget the Prius — this hybrid even absorbs excess heat from the exhaust system to recharge the battery — and will get you to 60 twice as fast.
Hybrid Hogs
September 3, 2009 4:31 am | Articles | CommentsWhile already controversial for cars — see the numerous YouTube videos praising and equally debunking this hydrogen technology — some bikers have decided to adapt the technology to their Harley-Davidson rides. However controversial, these riders are trying something new and innovative, trying to push the boundaries of what the public thinks is possible with a traditional gasoline engine.
When 'Rapid' Isn't Fast Enough
September 3, 2009 4:25 am | Articles | CommentsVia IET Faraday . A process of rapid manufacturing developed at Loughborough University is being used by a Ph.D student to create custom outsoles for a sprinter's particular biomechanical movement, allowing them to harness their full potential.
A P.U.M.A. Without The Bite
September 3, 2009 4:17 am | Articles | CommentsCheck out the Project P.U.M.A — the result of a collaboration betweeen GM and Segway. This self-balancing vehicle blurs the boundaries between cars and bikes to create a product that, according to the company, "values less over more; taking up less space, using less energy, produced more efficiently with fewer parts, creating fewer emissions during production and operation, all while offering more enjoyment, productivity, and connectivity.
Keep It Simple, Build It Strong
September 2, 2009 12:33 pm | Articles | CommentsVia www.op2iowa.com . The regional economic development group of Southern Iowa, Opportunity2, in collaboration with the region's Manufacturers Consortium has developed an Advanced Manufacturing video that showcases the great employment opportunities available in southern Iowa's manufacturing industries.
