Blogs

Stay Off That Plane

April 20, 2010 12:13 pm | by by David Mantey, Editor, Product Design & Development | Comments

To fly or not to fly is suddenly the question , and though I do enjoy the Shakespearean spin on the tragedy, let’s not get too loose with the definition of tragedy. If anything, the airport crisis plays out more like a dark comedy than a tragic event. Labeling a week stranded in an airport a tragedy is like calling Piano Man the greatest song ever made.

Iran Won't Hinder Global Nuclear Power Development

April 20, 2010 10:27 am | by by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | Comments

This week the hot topic of nuclear power was overshadowed by President Obama’s announcement to restrict the use of nuclear weapons and reduce nuclear stockpiles—along with Russia—by about one-third. If you missed it, the President specified that the use of nuclear weapons would only be considered against countries that are not in compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; for example, North Korea and Iran.

Manufacturing’s Old Age Problem

April 19, 2010 5:32 am | by by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Comments

I thought I knew what a deadline was in college, but when I was miraculously able to translate my English literature degree into a full-time writing job, I learned what this really meant. When someone is paying you to do something, you get it done—plain and simple. What this occasionally means for me are long nights, early mornings, and a rare summer Saturday spent getting laptop burns on my legs instead of sunburns.

Innocent iPads Detained By Israeli Customs

April 16, 2010 7:16 am | by by Karen Langhauser, Editor, Manufacturing.Net | Comments

Yesterday, global media sources were abuzz with news that Israel has banned imports of the Apple iPad , citing concerns that the unit’s wireless frequencies are not compatible with national standards. American WiFi standards permit broadcasting at a higher power than European standards; Israeli standards mirror those of Europe.

Direct Your Angry E-Mails Elsewhere

April 13, 2010 8:56 am | by by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Comments

Fan of the Obama administration or not, it’s clear that we need a new direction on our country’s manufacturing policy. We’ve needed one for a long time, actually — before President Obama took office, and before President Bush won for the first time in 2000.

It's Not Easy Being Green, But You Have To Be

April 12, 2010 4:55 am | by by Amy Radishofski, Features Editor, Manufacturing.net | Comments

I’m sorry, you’re not green enough. Just a few years ago, using that type of reasoning for dissolving a business partnership may have been hard to swallow. However, that’s exactly what Nestle did. The Swiss food company announced that it was dropping an Indonesian palm oil supplier due to the damage that palm oil plantations are causing in Southeast Asia.

Don’t Hate the Biofuel Player, Hate the Game

April 2, 2010 9:14 am | by by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | Comments

Last Monday I came back to work after three weeks off. In that relatively short period of time, a lot has changed. Firstly, I’m now married to the girl of my dreams and ridiculously excited about spending the rest of my life with such an incredible person. Secondly, the snow and ice covering Madison, WI has completely subsided, allowing me to pull out the grill in preparation for the 70 degree weather that will apparently arrive at the end of this week.

At Least You Have A Job

April 2, 2010 4:14 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Comments

“Well… I guess I should just be glad I have a job.” Ugh. I sincerely feel that this distasteful phrase is the ugly ribbon tied around our pre-packaged recession malaise. Don’t get me wrong… I AM glad to have a job. But as we grapple up this economic canyon, the lingering cries of a desperately submissive workforce have muted our national confidence.

Your Brain Wants Chocolate Cake

March 26, 2010 4:55 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Comments

When your eyes dart between the grilled cheese and the salad bar during your lunch break, what are you really thinking about? How do you decide between the real-fruit sorbet and the chocolate cake? We recently ran a video from CBS news , which suggests that the reasons we choose to eat what we choose to eat may be more complicated than they seem at first glance.

For Health Or Money?

March 23, 2010 5:28 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial director | Comments

It should be rather straight forward. Eating better = living healthier. Greater overall health = reduced nation-wide health care costs and less taxpayer burden. Again, this seems like a clear connection to make. The unfortunate truth is that clarity has never been a strength of bureaucratic organizations, and the political pessimist in me says our governments are no different.

Pin The Integrity On The Upper Management

March 18, 2010 12:17 pm | by by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Comments

Let’s talk about CEOs, all right? CEOs are important people, to say the least. They’re the figureheads of some of the world’s biggest entities, entire nations notwithstanding. They get to make the big decisions that either carry a company into our hearts and minds (not to mention wallets), or drive them into bankruptcy.

We Regret To Inform You

March 16, 2010 10:36 am | by by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Comments

When I put together a comprehensive daily news resource (fancy talk for the PD&D Design Daily ), I have the opportunity to not only cover the latest news in the industry, but I also have a chance to transform into a maniacal news junkie. I click on provocative headlines to read about the unfixable economy, to listen to analysts bang their chests and make wild predictions in hopes of creating some new conventional wisdom by sparking a little awareness-building fear, and to sift through the PR rabble — it’s a practice similar to listening to white noise for hours with hopes of connecting to voices from the other side (dead people).

A Bitter Sweet Takeover

March 15, 2010 10:08 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Comments

I guess there’s not much to defend, really. Kraft made an offer; Cadbury accepted. The once-British company is soon to join the ranks of the American food giant. And because Cadbury shareholders voted to approve the takeover bid, defending Cadbury would mean defending it against itself.

On The Edge Of My Driver's Seat

March 12, 2010 8:46 am | by by Carrie Ellis, Editor, Chem.Info | Comments

So what’s the holdup, you ask? And rightfully so. Lawmakers have been hailing the environmental revolution as the way out of this deep pit called an economic recovery, but have yet to sign anything that would toss a ladder into the deep hole to offer a few folks a glimpse of light.

Vicious Circle Defined

March 12, 2010 4:24 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director | Comments

Yeah, I have to admit that I can be a real sucker for an interesting headline. Maybe it’s some form of subliminal, professional courtesy or just the simple fact that I gravitate towards unique points of view — especially if they differ from my own. That might be the only reason I read a recent article about the environmental benefits of … wait for it … mining.