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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Lawmakers: Black Boxes For All New Cars
April 30, 2010 4:13 am | by Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — New cars and trucks would be required to carry black boxes to record crash information and automakers would pay fees to help fund the government's auto safety agency under a series of proposals in Congress in response to Toyota's massive recalls. The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday released a draft that could form the basis of legislation to strengthen vehicle safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Harley-Davidson Threatens To Abandon Wisconsin
April 29, 2010 11:29 am | CommentsMILWAUKEE (AP) — Harley-Davidson Inc. has warned its employees it may have to move its Milwaukee manufacturing operations if it can't cut millions of dollars in costs. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that company officials told employees Thursday there are significant "cost gaps" that must be filled.
Two Ohio Cabinetry Plants Threatened With Closure
April 28, 2010 6:37 am | CommentsWAVERLY, Ohio (AP) — A major employer in southern Ohio's Pike County says it will close its two cabinetry plants if it can't find a buyer, putting more than 1,200 jobs at risk. Taylor, Mich.-based Masco Corp. said Tuesday that if there is no sale, the Mill's Pride cabinetry factories in Waverly and nearby Seal Township are likely to shut down by spring of next year.
One Injured In Maryland Plant Explosion
April 28, 2010 6:32 am | CommentsWILLIAMSPORT, Md. (AP) — Washington County's emergency services director says a man has been airlifted to a Baltimore hospital after an explosion and fire at a paint manufacturing plant in Williamsport. Kevin Lewis said the blast shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday was contained to one room at the Rust-Oleum plant where the victim worked.
Life Sentence Sought For Fraud, Illegal Immigrants
April 28, 2010 4:09 am | by Nigel Duara, Associated Press Writer | CommentsCEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former kosher slaughterhouse manager who was convicted of financial fraud not only cheated a bank out of $26 million (€19.6 million), prosecutors claim, he also knowingly employed illegal immigrants. Sholom Rubashkin was never convicted of immigration violations and his attorneys dispute the allegations, but they still could be an issue at his sentencing hearing Wednesday on 86 financial fraud charges.
U.S. Pushes China On 'Protectionist' Technology Policy
April 28, 2010 4:05 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Global technology suppliers face a looming Chinese deadline to reveal the inner workings of computer encryption and other security products in a move the United States and Europe say is protectionist. Suppliers must comply with the rules that take effect Saturday or risk being shut out of the billions of dollars in purchases that the Chinese government makes of smart cards, secure routers, anti-spam software and other security products.
Automakers Bending Over Backwards For Wealthy Chinese
April 28, 2010 4:02 am | by Anita Chang, Associated Press Writer | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — The businessman climbed into the Rolls Royce Phantom with the gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and sank his feet into wine-red carpet. He says he has a Mercedes S600 sedan and a Jaguar sports car at home but needs something for work. "I just have to consider whether it's too flashy.
Chinese Drywall Maker To Pay For Renovation
April 28, 2010 3:59 am | by Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press Writer | CommentsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday awarded more than $164,000 to a Louisiana family whose home was ruined by Chinese-made drywall and said the tainted material must be removed. U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon's latest ruling comes less than a month after he awarded $2.
Boeing Delays 787 Parts Shipment
April 28, 2010 3:57 am | by George Tibbits, Associated Press Writer | CommentsSEATTLE (AP) — Boeing Co. has asked the companies that make the large sections of its new 787 jetliner to hold back shipping the assemblies for two of the jets for about a month. Boeing Commercial Airplanes spokeswoman Yvonne Leach said Tuesday that 787 final assembly is continuing at its Everett plant and that the temporary delay won't affect work under way.
Honda Sales Jump 28 Percent Against Toyota's Woes
April 28, 2010 3:53 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Honda posted a 72 billion yen ($774 million) profit for the January-March quarter in a reversal from red ink a year earlier as booming demand in China and India combined with a fledgling U.S. recovery to boost car sales. Honda Motor Co., Japan's No. 2 automaker, reported Wednesday that quarterly sales surged 28 percent from a year earlier to 2.
Obama: Invest In Clean Energy Technologies
April 27, 2010 9:55 am | by Julie Pace, Associated Press Writer | CommentsFORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — President Barack Obama says investments in clean energy technologies can help return jobs to the country's heartland and ensure that America doesn't fall behind other nations. Obama made the comments at a wind energy plant in Iowa that employs more than 600 workers with help from tax credits in last year's economic stimulus law.
OSHA Nails Wis. Plant With $96,000 Fine
April 27, 2010 6:59 am | CommentsTOMAHAWK, Wis. (AP) — A company where a 2008 explosion killed three Wisconsin workers has been fined nearly $100,000. The fines stem from seven safety violations levied against Packaging Corporation of America. A federal safety agency noted the violations during an October inspection.
No 'Cover-Up' By Reformed Toyota
April 27, 2010 4:24 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Japan's transport minister criticized Toyota on Tuesday as initially too slow in responding to its recall crisis, but said the automaker had learned its lesson and is getting quicker in announcing recalls. Seiji Maehara, who will meet U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood later this week during a trip to Washington, said the Japanese government is checking Toyota Motor Corp.
Ford Rakes In $2.1 Billion Profit
April 27, 2010 4:17 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | CommentsDEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it earned $2.1 billion in the first quarter, another sign the economy is improving as people spend more on big-ticket items like cars. The automaker expects to be solidly profitable this year, a year earlier than its previous guidance. Ford said its net income per share was 50 cents during the quarter.
GM Chooses NY Plant for New Engine, Jobs
April 27, 2010 4:14 am | by Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press Writer | CommentsBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — General Motors Co. has chosen its Tonawanda Engine plant to build a new V8 engine, a person familiar with the discussions said Monday. The auto maker has scheduled a news conference at the suburban Buffalo plant for Tuesday. GM will announce a $400 million investment for a next-generation engine that the person said will create or retain more than 700 jobs.
