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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Microsoft Co-Founder Sues Google, Apple, Facebook
August 30, 2010 4:57 am | by Rachel Metz, AP Technology Writer | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Microsoft Corp. co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen is suing nearly a dozen major companies, including tech giants Google Inc. and Apple Inc., alleging they infringed on four Web technology patents held by his company Interval Licensing LLC. Interval said Friday it filed the suit in a U.
Japan Calls For 'Transparent' Chinese Labor Policies
August 30, 2010 4:56 am | by Anita Chang, Associated Press Writer | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Japan called for "transparent policies" governing workers in China, saying labor disputes that halted operations at dozens of factories this year were troubling to Japanese companies. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada brought up the issue at a high-level economic meeting between China and Japan — the world's second and third largest economies — held in Beijing to discuss ways to recover from the economic crisis and foster regional cooperation.
Raytheon's Ray Gun Preparing To 'Torture' LA Prisoners
August 27, 2010 5:02 am | by Thomas Watkins, Associated Press Writer | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — A device designed to control unruly inmates by blasting them with a beam of intense energy that causes a burning sensation is drawing heat from civil rights groups who fear it could cause serious injury and is "tantamount to torture." The mechanism, known as an "Assault Intervention Device," is a stripped-down version of a military gadget that sends highly focused beams of energy at people and makes them feel as though they are burning.
Packager Expands Into Wisconsin With 56 Jobs
August 27, 2010 4:33 am | CommentsAPPLETON, Wis. (AP) — A company that makes pouches and other flexible packaging is opening a new plant in Appleton, creating 56 jobs. The Coating Excellence International facility is scheduled to open in about four months. The company is receiving financial help through recovery-zone bonds made possible by the federal stimulus package.
Goodyear Gets $20 Million For New Oklahoma Plant
August 27, 2010 4:29 am | CommentsOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma agency has approved a $20 million bond deal that will help pay for the expansion of the Goodyear tire-making plant in Lawton. The Council of Bond Oversight on Thursday authorized the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority to issue $20 million in bonds for the project.
German Plastics Company Brings 75 Jobs To Georgia
August 27, 2010 4:28 am | CommentsELBERTON, Ga. (AP) — A German plastics manufacturer will bring 75 jobs to Elberton. Moeller Tech will locate a manufacturing plant in Elberton, a $9.75 million investment. Moeller Tech produces injection molded plastic parts for the automotive industry. According to a press release from Georgia Gov.
Plant Forced To Destroy Chickens After Ammonia Leak
August 27, 2010 4:27 am | CommentsTHEODORE, Ala. (AP) — A coastal Alabama company was ordered to destroy some of the frozen chicken at its refrigeration plant after the ammonia leak that sent about 130 people to hospitals, but other meat was safe to eat, government regulators said Thursday. Brian Mabry, a spokesman with the U.
Texas Biofuel Company To Open Three Miss. Plants
August 27, 2010 4:23 am | by Shelia Byrd, Associated Press Writer | CommentsJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Texas-based KiOR, a company with plans to produce a crude oil substitute from wood chips and other biomass, will locate its first three facilities in Mississippi. Gov. Haley Barbour and KiOR CEO Fred Cannon announced details of the venture Thursday, a day before lawmakers were set to return to the Capitol to approve incentives for the company.
Boeing Delays 787 Shipments Into 2011
August 27, 2010 4:22 am | by Samantha Bomkamp, AP Airlines Writer | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Boeing Co. postponed the delivery of its first 787 to the middle of the first quarter of 2011, compounding a string of delays for the jetliner that is already more than two years past its original scheduled debut. The latest delay is the result of engine delivery problems, Boeing said in a statement early Friday.
Minnesota Struggles To Keep Ford Truck Plant
August 25, 2010 5:04 am | CommentsST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty meets Wednesday with Ford Motor Co. executives to talk about the future of the company's St. Paul truck plant. Pawlenty's official schedule lists a private meeting at the Ford Product Development Center in Dearborn, Mich. The Republican governor is traveling with St.
Northrop Grumman Cutting 642 Miss. Workers
August 25, 2010 4:42 am | CommentsPASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) — Northrop Grumman Corp. plans to lay off 642 workers at its Pascagoula shipyard by the end of the year, the company said. The first 292 affected workers were notified Wednesday under a federal law requiring 60 days notice of layoffs that affect 500 or more people. The company told The Mississippi Press that the layoffs are due to the cyclical nature of shipbuilding, including the timing of contracts.
July A Bleak Month For Manufactured Goods
August 25, 2010 4:41 am | by Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Companies cut back on their investments in equipment and machines last month as the economic recovery lost momentum. Overall orders for big-ticket manufactured goods increased 0.3 percent in July, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. But that was only because of a 76 percent jump in demand for commercial aircraft.
Company Apologizes For Ammonia Leak, Restarts Operations
August 25, 2010 4:36 am | CommentsTHEODORE, Ala. (AP) — A refrigeration company says it's sorry for the ammonia leak that sent dozens of people to hospitals around Mobile. Millard Refrigerated Services issued a statement late Tuesday apologizing to people who reported medical problems or experienced discomfort because of the leak at its plant in Theodore along an industrial canal.
Wyo. Plant Turns Sugar Cane Waste Into Biofuel
August 25, 2010 4:35 am | by Bob Moen, Associated Press Writer | CommentsCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming is a long way from places where sugar cane is grown, but a test plant in the northeast part of the state will soon be turning sugar cane waste into biofuel. KL Energy Corp., based in Rapid City, S.D., and Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras announced an agreement Tuesday to produce cellulosic ethanol from sugar cane bagasse, the waste created when sugar cane is processed into sugar.
RV-Maker Reopens Ind. Plant For Luxury Trailers
August 25, 2010 4:34 am | CommentsSYRACUSE, Ind. (AP) — A recreational vehicle company says it has bought a closed factory in northern Indiana where it plans to start building a new line of luxury trailers in the coming months. Thor Industries subsidiary Redwood RV announced Tuesday its purchase of the factory in Syracuse that was formerly owned by Ameri-Camp RV, which shut down in 2008.
