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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
212 Jobs Lost In Ark. Air Conditioning Plant
February 22, 2010 3:27 am | CommentsFORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — Officials say 212 workers are likely to lose their jobs by the end of the year at a Fort Smith plant that makes air conditioning systems, mostly for homes. Ingersoll Rand, the parent firm of Trane Residential Solutions, said Friday that some of the production at the Trane plant at Fort Smith will be moved to a plant in Lynn Haven, Fla.
Surviving The 1,000-Mile Commute
February 22, 2010 3:26 am | by Sharon Cohen, AP National Writer | CommentsJANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — In the early dawn, after another week building cars, Michael Hanley leaves his job in Kansas. He quickly zips into Missouri, then heads up a ribbon of highway past grain silos and grazing deer, across the frozen fields of Iowa, over the Mississippi River and into the rolling hills of Wisconsin.
Turbine Maker Recalls 79 Workers At Pa. Plant
February 19, 2010 3:59 am | CommentsEBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa has brought back 79 workers laid off from a western Pennsylvania plant in November. The company says it will also hire 50 more workers at its plant in Ebensburg, about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh. Company officials said in November that 141 people were laid off, including the 79 who have been recalled.
Is Wichita The Next Detroit?
February 19, 2010 3:50 am | by Molly McMillin, Associated Press Writer | CommentsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita's business jetmakers sometimes think about Detroit. Not that many years ago, U.S. automakers weren't too concerned about emerging foreign competitors. Productivity was poor, costs were out of control, and they became complacent, said Cessna Aircraft CEO Jack Pelton.
Ind. Truck Part-Maker Shuttered, 225 Jobs Cut
February 19, 2010 3:35 am | CommentsELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana factory that makes truck parts is being shut down, with about 225 people to lose their jobs. Accuride Corp. spokeswoman Eva Schmitz says its Gunite Corp. factory in Elkhart will be closed by May 1. Its production will be moved to factories in Rockford, Ill.
Toyoda To Testify Before Congress Over Recalls
February 19, 2010 3:34 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, ,AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Toyota's president Akio Toyoda, under fire for his handling of sweeping recalls, will testify before a congressional hearing next week, appealing to U.S. lawmakers and aggrieved customers for understanding while the company fixes its safety problems. Japanese officials praised the decision by Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder, to accept a formal invitation to explain the recalls and outline plans by the world's largest automaker to ensure safety and satisfy worried car buyers.
Exec Indicted In Price-Fixing, Bribery-Based Food Cartel
February 19, 2010 3:33 am | by Robin Hindery, Associated Press Writer | CommentsSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The former owner of a California food company was indicted Thursday in an alleged price-fixing plot that involved buyers for some of the nation's biggest food chains. A federal grand jury in Sacramento charged Frederick Scott Salyer with racketeering, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Eaton Suspends Production After Death
February 19, 2010 3:29 am | CommentsBELMOND, Iowa (AP) — The Eaton Corp. has suspended production at its plant in Belmond after a worker died on the job. Company officials say 51-year-old Doug Barkema, of Belmond, died in an accident at the plant Wednesday afternoon. Jason Smith, director of North American Automotives for Eaton, says production will not be restarted until officials determine what happened.
Worker Dies At Eaton's Belmond, Iowa Plant
February 18, 2010 3:33 am | CommentsBELMOND, Iowa (AP) — The Eaton Corp. says a worker has died on the job at its plant in Belmond in northern Iowa. Company spokeswoman Julie Habbouche says 51-year-old Doug Barkema, of Belmond, died in the accident on Wednesday. She says Barkema was a machine operator and had worked at the plant for 24 years.
CPSC Warns Of 'Creative' Punishments For Sloppy Manufacturers
February 17, 2010 11:03 am | by Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — One of the nation's top safety officials is delivering a stern warning to the makers of toys, cribs and other children's products, telling them to put safety first — or face potential fines, lawsuits or other actions. "If you resist our efforts to recall children's products, be forewarned: This commission stands ready to be creative in the use of our enforcement authorities," Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum said Wednesday.
Baby Bracelets and Pacifier Clips Recalled For Lead
February 17, 2010 10:13 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — A Utah company is recalling 900 bracelets for babies and pacifier clips because they contain high levels of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday that a 10-month-old girl received medical treatment for elevated lead levels after being exposed to one of the baby bracelets.
Mueller Appeals $683K OSHA Fine After Blast Kills 1
February 17, 2010 3:48 am | CommentsFULTON, Miss. (AP) — Mueller Industries has appealed a $683,000 fine levied by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration for alleged safety violations. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports John Hansen, Mueller's vice president of manufacturing, confirmed the appeal was filed but declined to discuss specifics.
Mueller Appeals OSHA Fine After Blast Kills 1
February 17, 2010 3:48 am | CommentsFULTON, Miss. (AP) — Mueller Industries has appealed a $683,000 fine levied by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration for alleged safety violations. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports John Hansen, Mueller's vice president of manufacturing, confirmed the appeal was filed but declined to discuss specifics.
Dems Seek Tax Breaks For Rehired Workers
February 17, 2010 3:40 am | by Colleen Slevin, Associated Press Writer | CommentsDENVER (AP) — Democratic lawmakers want to give a tax break to businesses that rehire workers they laid off last year, a move that analysts estimate could speed up the return of some 10,000 people to work. However, no business groups turned out to testify for the proposal during its first hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Officials Investigating Orange Cloud Over Houston-Area
February 17, 2010 3:31 am | CommentsPASADENA, Texas (AP) — Plant officials are investigating what caused a chemical release at a Houston-areaplant that forced neighbors to stay indoors for a couple of hours. An orange cloud was seen above Pasadena after Tuesday night's release, prompting emergency personnel to order a shelter-in-place.
