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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner Spreads Its Wings... Today
December 15, 2009 3:14 am | by George Tibbits, Associated Press Writer | CommentsEVERETT, Wash. (AP) — Weather permitting, Boeing Co. plans to finally get its new 787 jetliner into the air Tuesday, more than two years after it had intended. The test aircraft completed its ground tests during the weekend, including a 150-mph dash down the runway at Everett's Paine Field during which its nose gear briefly lifted off the pavement.
Cummins Engine To Cut 200 Indiana Workers
December 15, 2009 3:11 am | CommentsCOLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) — Cummins Engine Co. will lay off more than 200 workers in Columbus. Spokesman Mark Land said the company will idle off 195 workers at its fuel systems plant by Jan. 2 because of a decline in demand for heavy-duty truck engines. Land says customers have been buying more trucks with older engines instead of buying new and more expensive trucks that meet new government emissions standards that take effect on Jan.
Visible Hydrogen Sulfide Cloud Forces Evacuation Of 4,000
December 14, 2009 10:33 am | by Matt Leingang, Associated Press Writer | CommentsCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A gas leak at an oil recycling company forced about 4,000 workers to evacuate nearby office buildings for six hours Monday, sending one person to the hospital, authorities said. Firefighters who arrived at Heartland Petroleum LLC saw a gas cloud over the company, said Battalion Chief David Whiting.
GM-Rooted Flint Manufacturing Plant On Auction Block
December 14, 2009 10:25 am | by David Runk, Associated Press Writer | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — A Flint manufacturing and office complex that includes a building constructed in the 1920s by the founder of General Motors and that still houses his one-time office will be auctioned off Tuesday. The Great Lakes Technology Centre, as it's now known, will be auctioned off in four parts.
Cadbury Battles 'Derisory' Offer From 'Unattractive' Kraft
December 14, 2009 4:10 am | by Jane Wardell, AP Business Writer | CommentsLONDON (AP) -- Cadbury PLC revealed Monday it has received approaches from The Hershey Co. and Italy's Ferrero International SA as it launched a robust defense against a hostile 9.8 billion pound ($16.3 billion) from Kraft Foods Inc. Cadbury Chairman Roger Carr said the statements of intent from Hershey and Ferrero were too preliminary to start proper talks as he warned shareholders not to let Kraft "steal your company with its derisory offer.
Oregon RV Makers Hit The Road After Economic 'Tsunami'
December 14, 2009 4:00 am | by Tim Christie, AP Writer | CommentsEUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The fall of the recreational vehicle industry in Lane County was swift, relentless and brutal. A year ago at this time, local RV makers sent workers home for their customary holiday furloughs. Most workers never came back. Within months, two companies, Monaco Coach Corp.
Toyota To Sell Plug-In 'Affordable' Hybrids In 2011
December 14, 2009 3:43 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Toyota showed its new plug-in hybrid Monday, available for leasing this month in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, and promised the green vehicle for sale to regular consumers in 2011 at an "affordable" price. The plug-in Prius is the first from Toyota Motor Corp. packed with a more powerful battery called lithium-ion that's different from the batteries used in Prius hybrids on roads today.
From Poultry Fat To Jet Fuel
December 14, 2009 3:40 am | by Amy Lorentzen | CommentsDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa plant could soon begin producing jet fuel from poultry fat. Bolingbrook, Ill.-based Elevance Renewable Sciences plans to build a $15 million plant in Newton, adding onto an existing biodiesel operation. The experimental operation plans to use plant oils and poultry fat as building blocks to replace petroleum-based chemicals used to make myriad products, including jet fuel, lubricants, adhesives and even cosmetics and candles.
GE-FANUC Finalize Dissolution Of Joint Venture
December 14, 2009 3:36 am | CommentsCHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — GE (NYSE: GE) and FANUC LTD announced today that the two companies have completed their agreement to dissolve the GE Fanuc Automation Corporation Joint Venture. This agreement reverts the respective portions of the joint venture back to the parent company and allows each company to focus on its existing businesses and pursue growth in its respective core industry of expertise.
CAT Begins Chinese Joint Venture
December 14, 2009 3:35 am | CommentsPEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, said Monday that it signed a joint venture deal with a Chinese company to create a remanufacturing business. Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd. and China Yuchai International Ltd.'s Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co.
Life After Bobcat's Dec. 23rd Shutdown
December 14, 2009 3:30 am | by Christopher Bjorke | CommentsBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Twenty years on a job allows for some time to think. But for Scott Langemo, the past few weeks have been a time to reflect on his years as a tool and die machinist for Bobcat Co. and what comes next. "There's been a lot of reflecting on what I want to do with my life," he said.
Yaskawa Expands Milwaukee-Based U.S. Operations
December 11, 2009 6:41 am | CommentsWaukegan, Ill. — Even during these difficult economic times, Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. has continued to increase its business in the Americas. To accommodate this growth with a continuing high level of customer service, Yaskawa recently expanded its U.S.-based operations. Earlier this year, Yaskawa moved into a new facility near Milwaukee, Wis.
Boeing 787 Through 'Final Gauntlet,' Ready For Test Flight
December 11, 2009 3:39 am | CommentsSEATTLE (AP) — Boeing Co. says the long-anticipated first flight of its new 787 jetliner could come as early as Tuesday. Boeing announced Thursday that its window for a first flight would open on Dec. 15 with the actual flight timing dependent on final internal reviews, taxi testing and Federal Aviation Administration documentation.
India Factory Output Continues Upward Momentum
December 11, 2009 3:31 am | by Erika Kinetz, AP Business Writer | CommentsMUMBAI, India (AP) — India's factory output rose 10.3 percent in October from a year earlier as stimulus measures and domestic demand pushed Asia's third-largest economy into its 10th straight month of industrial expansion. Manufacturing output grew 11.1 percent, rebounding from a 0.
Greenhouse Cutting Bill Gets Revisions To Court Republicans
December 11, 2009 3:28 am | by Dina Cappiello and H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press Writers | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Senators trying to craft bipartisan climate legislation offered a revised proposal Thursday that would add incentives for building nuclear power plants and open the way for expanded oil and gas drilling off the nation's coastlines in hopes of attracting wider support.
