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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Guest Feature: Using GRC to Drive Innovation and Competitive Advantage
August 24, 2009 9:08 am | by by Dan Wilhelms | Blogs | CommentsWith governmental regulations for compliance becoming all the more rigorous, chief audit officers (CAOs) are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place regarding controlling costs and satisfying these more rigorous compliance demands. At the same time, external auditors are getting more sophisticated in their investigations of compliance — delving deeper into organizations’ controls.
Embracing The Role
August 24, 2009 8:59 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsOne of the great American traditions is that of embracing the plight of the little guy, the underdog, the one with all the odds stacked against them. I think it’s because even in these seemingly impossible conditions they’re committed to doing whatever it takes and are unwilling to yield to theoretically superior opposition.
Toyota Recalls Over-Lubricated Windows On 690,000 Cars
August 24, 2009 4:52 am | News | CommentsSHANGHAI (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 690,000 of its China-made vehicles after finding problems with their electric window controls, China's quality watchdog says. The recall involves 407,503 Camry and Yaris passenger cars made by Toyota's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group.
Raytheon Guides Home $54.4M Air Force Contract
August 24, 2009 4:34 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — A unit of Raytheon Co. received a $54.4 million contract from the Air Force to provide 266 guidance and control sections for the Maverick missile, the Pentagon said late Friday. Shares of the Waltham, Mass.-based company added $1.27, or 2.7 percent, to close at $48.22.
Boeing Lands 1.16B C-17 Contract
August 24, 2009 4:32 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co. received a nearly $1.16 billion contract boost for the C-17, a large military transport aircraft, the Pentagon said late Friday. The deal will provide for program management, logistics, depot level aircraft maintenance and more for the C-17.
Conocuts Cause Midnight Blaze
August 24, 2009 4:29 am | News | CommentsALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — Mallo Cups and Smoothies won't be rolling off the Boyer Candy Co.'s production lines for a few days because of a machine fire at the plant in central Pennsylvania. Plant supervisor Gary Himes says a coconut roasting machine caught fire about 12:25 a.m. Monday. The fire was quickly brought under control and nobody was hurt as seven employees got out of the plant safely.
Malawi Child Workers With 2 Pack A Day Habit
August 24, 2009 4:25 am | by Raphael Tenthani, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Children picking tobacco in the fields of Malawi for consumers far beyond the African country's borders are being poisoned as they absorb up to two cigarette packs' worth of nicotine each day, a children's rights organization said Monday, The "extremely high levels of nicotine poisoning" produces not only nausea, headaches, dizziness, difficulty in breathing and other symptoms but "long-lasting changes in brain structure and function," London-based Plan International said in a report.
WI Officials Battle Mercury Marine Non-Union Threats
August 24, 2009 4:16 am | News | CommentsFOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) — Officials in Wisconsin were working to keep Mercury Marine from moving its manufacturing operations to Oklahoma after union workers rejected a package of wage and benefit concessions the boat engine maker said was necessary. Leaders of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1947 did not release the tally from Sunday's vote but said it was "overwhelming" to reject what Mercury Marine called its final offer.
Unbeatable Breakers
August 21, 2009 10:43 am | Product Releases | CommentsAltech (Flemington, NJ) introduces a new version of its UL508 manual motor controllers, featuring a reinforced housing for improved durability. The product also offers both box and ring tongue terminals as standard in addition to a clear cover for easy tagging. The breakers are offered in 6 trip curves in ampere ratings from 0.
Take Out The Trash
August 21, 2009 9:58 am | Product Releases | CommentsVAC-U-MAX (Belleville, NJ) has designed the Bag Compactor, which can be connected directly to the side of the bag dump station so an operator can insert an empty bag directly into the bag compactor. The new design offers a “mail box” front door for standalone use, fork lift slots for portability, and all-pneumatic operation, and a 5,000 pound compression force.
High-Efficiency Circulator
August 21, 2009 9:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsWILO (Melrose Park, IL) introduces a line of high-efficiency circulators: the Stratos. The line can reduce consumption by up to 80 percent over single-speed pumps by incorporating electronic commutated motor (ECM) technology and a variable speed drive, resulting in greater efficiency than asynchronous motors.
Trimming The Fat
August 21, 2009 9:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsPrecision AirConvey (Newark, DE) has developed the TrimPAC Velocity trimming system, which automatically captures continuous edge trim at the press, slitter, or die cutter and directs waste material into a container. The trimmer is ideal for manufacturers dealing with paper, film, foil, or laminate in a variety of widths and thicknesses.
Be A Sharpshooter
August 21, 2009 9:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsBalluff (Florence, KY) has introduced Sharpshooter, a vision-based sensor at a low price point. The new Sharpshooter adds 360° part rotation recognition, in addition to an output logic that can link together any number of tools. An updated version of the free ConVis configuration and emulation software comes with the sensor, adding DHCP functionality to remotely assign IP addresses.
Russian Plant Deemed Unsafe In 1998, Infrastructure Failing
August 21, 2009 9:03 am | by Nataliya Vasilyeva | News | CommentsMOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities were reportedly warned back in 1998 that Siberia's massive Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant had fallen into serious neglect and was unsafe. On Friday, 47 people were confirmed dead and dozens were still missing after an explosion Monday at the plant — an accident that has revealed the dangers of Russia's creaking infrastructure.
MN Ethanol Plant Fined For Lake Dumping
August 21, 2009 8:26 am | News | CommentsWINNEBAGO, Minn. (AP) — Owners of an ethanol plant in Winnebago have agreed to pay a $100,000 fine after pleading guilty to a federal charge of violating the Clean Water Act. Corn Plus also agreed to make a $50,000 contribution to benefit Rice Lake. Federal and state pollution officials charged the company Aug.
