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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
New EPA Rules On Cadmium Exposure Raise Liability Risk
February 15, 2013 9:17 am | by Michael Gruver, Lawyer, Kaye Scholer and Glenn Pogust, Partner, Kaye Scholer | CommentsCadmium is a chemical element with many possible industrial applications and one huge challenge: cadmium is highly toxic. Recently, the health risks associated with cadmium exposure has led to increased public attention.
PwC: 2012 Manufacturing M&A Surpassed 2011
February 13, 2013 8:05 am | by PwC US | CommentsAmid high uncertainty over the direction of the global economy, the fourth quarter of 2012 saw a slowdown in the number of announced industrial manufacturing transactions. However, despite the reduction in M&A activity during the last quarter, 2012 proved to be a favorable year for dealmaking in the industrial manufacturing space.
Q&A: The Hostess Auction — What To Expect
February 12, 2013 8:08 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | CommentsAs Hostess continues its bankruptcy auction process, the company has announced the lead bidders for many of its popular brands, including Wonder Bread and Twinkies. Food Manufacturing spoke with Professor Anthony Michael Sabino about the bankruptcy auction process and what it means for both buyers and sellers.
Six Things To Consider Before Implementing An EQMS
February 11, 2013 8:08 am | by Mike Roberts | CommentsWhat does quality management software do? From a 30,000 foot view, it helps companies ensure the production and delivery of high quality products and processes. More specifically, though, it streamlines, standardizes, and centralizes cross-functional data from across the value chain.
Proper Data Security
February 8, 2013 8:08 am | by Dean Wiech, Managing Director at Tools4ever | CommentsIn today’s complex corporate and business network environments, controlling access to sensitive data is of utmost concern. The amount of security-related data stored across a network is immense for many organizations, and relating all this data to the user’s account information in Active Directory can be tricky and time consuming.
ISM: Manufacturing Is Off To A Good Start
February 6, 2013 8:00 am | by Jon Minnick, Associate Editor, MBT | CommentsU.S. manufacturing is off to a good start in 2013. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector continued to expand in January 2013 for the second consecutive month, and the overall U.S. economy grew for the 44th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
Productivity Never Grows Old At Canadian Fab Shop
February 4, 2013 8:02 am | CommentsOther than conversation pieces, what’s the value in having decades-old machine tools occupy valuable floor space in a modern fab shop? The answer is “Plenty!” according to Ken Lennox, provided the machines are in suitable roles and were originally built with “the right stuff.”
PwC: U.S. Industrial Manufacturers Are Optimistic
February 4, 2013 8:00 am | by PwC | CommentsSentiment regarding the prospects for the U.S. economy in the year ahead increased among U.S. industrial manufacturers, while uncertainty around outlook for the world economy prevailed, according to the Q4 2012 Manufacturing Barometer released by PwC US. According to PwC’s survey, 48 percent of respondents expressed optimism about the 12-month outlook for the U.S. economy during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Cost-Efficient Power At One Of N. America’s Most Advanced Combined Cycle Generating Plants
February 1, 2013 8:08 am | CommentsLES’s Salt Valley plant is unique in the fact it is the first combined cycle generating plant in Nebraska, consisting of three General Electric LM6000 aeroderivative fuel-fired turbines that can burn natural gas or #2 diesel fuel, providing maximum flexibility for Salt Valley. These aeroderivative engines are essentially the same engines that have proven themselves for decades in aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A300.
Teaching An Old Dock New Tricks
January 31, 2013 3:37 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsAs manufacturing companies find more and more in the way of technology improvements around material handling, the loading dock has not been ignored. This how-to gives manufacturers some tips on where to begin assessing and addressing risk.
Taking Concrete To The Next Level
January 31, 2013 3:33 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsIs your floor surface in need of some TLC? There are a bevy of options, but ultimately, it’s important to remember that there’s money underfoot. When it comes to industrial flooring surfaces, there are many vendors out there who will insist their solution is best. One thing they can all agree on, however, is that an industrial floor is not often just a “set it and forget it” investment.
Thermal Imagers: A Priceless Investment
January 31, 2013 3:29 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsIndustrial inspection cameras have revolutionized the predictive maintenance industry. From the many types of cameras available, thermal imagers are ones that have claimed their place in a manufacturer’s predictive maintenance arsenal. Once an instrument too expensive for the average facility, today’s technology has advanced thermal imagers to the point of necessity.
Industrial Lubricants: Key To Long-Term PM Success
January 31, 2013 3:26 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsThe right industrial lubricant can help a manufacturer increase equipment reliability, reduce operating costs, and extend machine life. Choosing the correct lubricant is “the most fundamental component of a successful preventive maintenance program,” says Polanek. “Today’s successful companies view preventive maintenance and high-performance lubricants as investments to help ensure long-term success.”
Clever Engineering Renews Wrecked Steel Mill Coupling
January 31, 2013 3:15 pm | CommentsWhen the bore on the rigid half of a high-torque steel mill coupling was badly galled during a maintenance teardown, the mill put the damaged part in the plant’s bone yard. However, engineers at Kop-Flex® developed a clever solution that saved the customer almost half the cost to replace the $112,000 part, which transmits approximately 10,000,000 pound inches of torque to a roughing stand.
Computerizing Records Helps Plane Parts Production Take Off
January 31, 2013 3:13 pm | CommentsWhen Martha Paluch returned home to help run the family business her father had started with a partner in 1989, she experienced what might be referred to as “paper shock.” “I came back with expectations of changing times and going greener,” says Paluch, now a 25-year-old operations specialist at Phoenix Manufacturing, where her mother and brother also work.
