The Leading Source for Industrial Maintenance News
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
1,200-Worker Automotive Plant Closing In AL
September 1, 2009 9:56 am | News | CommentsHUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Continental Automotive Systems U.S. says it will close its automotive parts plant in Huntsville by Dec. 31 next year, laying off more than 1,000 workers. Monday's announcement comes a month after Continental warned that cutting costs in product development and manufacturing were necessary to save the company.
Get Trapped For Safety
September 1, 2009 8:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsCastell’s (Erlanger, KY) portfolio of trapped key interlocks and loading dock guarding systems has been added to Tapeswitch’s product lineup, now available in the U.S. The interlocks ensure personnel follow a predetermined sequence of tasks to control process risks by locking valves, actuators, switches, doors, or entire processes until the correct key is used.
Air-Powered Disc Sanders
September 1, 2009 8:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsDynabrade, Inc. (Clarence, NY) introduces a new series of air-powered vacuum disc sanders. The new tool is effective at removing coatings while capturing contaminants through the vacuum. The sanders are available in 2, 3, 5, and 7” diameters, and the vacuum shroud diverts dust and debris to the vacuum source.
Integrated Drive For Cavity Pumps
September 1, 2009 8:45 am | Product Releases | Commentsseepex (Enon, OH) has developed a new integrated drive for its popular line of metering and general transfer progressive cavity pumps. The new drive features a single reduction gear box and an inverter-rated 1/2 HP electric induction motor. Because external control enclosures are not required for high pressure or run-dry protection, installation is simple and quick.
Stay Away From The Ledge
September 1, 2009 8:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsGarlock Safety Systems (Plymouth, MN) has developed the LedgeGuard mezzanine safety gate system, which has two gates, one of which is always closed. The inside gate is closed when pallets are being handled by a forklift, prevented personnel from falling. When raised personnel open the inside gate to access the pallet, the opposite gate closes.
Raytheon To Assist With Taiwan Missle Defense
September 1, 2009 8:39 am | News | CommentsTEWKSBURY, Mass. (AP) — Defense contractor Raytheon Co. said Tuesday it has been awarded a contract worth $26.9 million to provide technical assistance to Taiwan's missile defense system. The award from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command represents a modification to a technical assistance contract granted in 2008.
Kansas City Rejected In New Harley Plant Survey
September 1, 2009 8:34 am | News | CommentsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Harley-Davidson Inc. says it will not build a second manufacturing plant in Kansas City. The Kansas City Star reports that the motorcycle manufacturer told city officials Monday that the city did not make the cut as Harley-Davidson looks to build a potential replacement for its plant in York, Pa.
GE To Expand SC Aviation Business, Hire 140
September 1, 2009 6:20 am | News | CommentsGREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — General Electric Co.'s aviation business says it will expand operations in South Carolina and add 100 jobs by 2013. The state Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that GE Aviation will move from its 50,000 square-foot building in Greenville to a 150,000 square-foot site in the city.
Man Confirms Guilty Plea In July 5 WI Meatpacking Fire
September 1, 2009 6:11 am | News | CommentsMILWAUKEE (AP) — One of two brothers accused of starting a $50 million fire at a Cudahy meatpacking plant pleaded guilty Tuesday. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Kurtis Popp fired a military flare July 5 given to him by his brother. The flare landed on a roof at the Patrick Cudahy Inc. meatpacking plant and ignited the fire.
Manufacturing Indexes Showing Growth After 18 Months
September 1, 2009 4:39 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. manufacturing, aided by government rebates to first-time homebuyers and car buyers, likely experienced some growth in August after shrinking for 18 months. Economists expect a national measure of manufacturing activity to show the sector grew last month. That hasn't happened since January 2008, as a recession triggered by the U.
Boeing Jetliner Head Steps Down Amid 787 Faults
September 1, 2009 4:22 am | by Daniel Lovering, AP Manufacturing Writer | News | CommentsBoeing Co. said Monday that Scott Carson will step down as head of its commercial airplane division, ending a tenure marked by costly problems with the company's much-delayed 787 jetliner. The Chicago-based company said Carson will be succeeded Tuesday by the head of its defense business, Jim Albaugh.
Deere To Invest $125m In Russian Plant
September 1, 2009 4:16 am | by Daniel Lovering, AP Manufacturing Writer | News | CommentsDeere & Co., the world's largest agricultural-equipment maker, said Monday its board of directors has approved a plan to invest $125 million to establish a new manufacturing and parts center in Russia. The Moline, Ill.-based company said the facility near Moscow will be capable of making a broad range of John Deere products, including tractors and harvesting equipment, as well as construction and forestry products.
Stillwater, OK Anticipates Mercury Marine's Exit From WI
August 31, 2009 12:27 pm | by Murray Evans, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Officials in Stillwater said Monday they're happy to hear boat engine maker Mercury Marine could be moving hundreds of jobs to their city, even if they sympathize with a Wisconsin city that may be losing those jobs. Mercury Marine said Sunday it intends to move the jobs to Stillwater after a union rejected a contract proposal that would have kept the jobs at the company's Fond du Lac, Wis.
Trial For Iowa Slaughterhouse Raid Could Be Moved
August 31, 2009 12:10 pm | by Nigel Duara, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsCEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge on Monday delayed the trial of four former top managers at an Iowa slaughterhouse where 389 people were arrested last year in what was the largest immigration raid in U.S. history at the time. U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade agreed to an Oct.
NH Suing Company To Protect Neglected Plant Workers
August 31, 2009 12:05 pm | News | CommentsCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire judge is temporarily blocking Precision Technology from transferring assets that could be used to provide workers compensation they are owed. Gov. John Lynch said Monday that the state sought the order to protect the 131 workers the Pembroke company locked out last week without the federally required 60-day notice.
