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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Honda's Chinese Suppliers Continue Strikes
June 8, 2010 5:07 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | CommentsSHANGHAI (AP) — Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday it was assessing the impact of a walkout by some workers at one of its parts suppliers in China, just days after resolving a strike that froze car production at four factories. The strike by some workers at Foshan Fengfu Autoparts Co. in Foshan, a city in southern China's Guangdong province, began Monday morning, said company spokesman Keitaro Yamamoto.
Hong Kong Protesters Picket Apple's Supply Chain
June 8, 2010 4:55 am | by Min Lee, Associated Press Writer | CommentsHONG KONG (AP) — Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China. The 30 demonstrators held signs saying, "Workers are not machines.
Ind. Trailer Maker Closes Plant, Fires 150 Workers
June 8, 2010 4:39 am | CommentsMIDDLEBURY, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana cargo trailer maker says it may close its plant in the city of Middlebury — a move that would cost 150 workers their jobs. Illinois-based Pace American Inc. notified the state of the possible closing late last week, saying it is in the process of selling its business operations and assets.
Feds Offer $19 Million In Grants To Ex-NUMMI Workers
June 8, 2010 4:31 am | by Evelyn Nieves, Associated Press Writer | CommentsFREMONT, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said Monday that the federal government will provide $19 million in emergency grants to help thousands of workers who lost their jobs when California's only auto plant closed. Solis said the money would be used to retrain workers at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.
Manufacturing Jobs Ease Nationwide Economic Stress
June 8, 2010 4:29 am | by Martin Crutsinger and Mike Schneider, Associated Press Writers | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Manufacturing job gains in the Midwest helped lower the nation's economic stress in April to its lowest point in five months, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country. Contributing to the improvement were lower foreclosure rates in two states with beaten-down housing markets: California and Florida.
Hyundai's Indian Workers Continue Crippling Strike
June 8, 2010 4:28 am | by Erika Kinetz, AP Business Writer | CommentsMUMBAI, India (AP) — Police arrested some 200 workers occupying a Hyundai Motor plant as a strike stopped the automaker's Indian production for a second day, the latest in a series of union battles that have pushed the nation's No. 2 carmaker to move some production to Turkey. Hyundai spokesman Rajiv Mitra said police removed the workers from the factory shortly after midday Tuesday and arrested about 200.
Chrysler Recalls 600,000 Jeeps, Minivans
June 7, 2010 5:02 am | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Federal regulators say Chrysler is recalling nearly 600,000 Jeep Wranglers and Chrysler and Dodge minivans for brake or wiring problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website Monday that Chrysler is recalling 288,968 Jeep Wranglers from the 2006 through 2010 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak.
Why Is Nissan 'Manufacturing' A Gospel Choir?
June 7, 2010 4:46 am | by Maria Burnham, Associated Press Writer | CommentsCANTON, Miss. (AP) — Automobile plants make a lot of noise with welding, stamping and paint machines. But at the Madison County Nissan plant, the new sound is the joyful kind. The plant's three-month old gospel choir has performed for company executives, state officials and the local community.
Coca-Cola Pays $715 Million To Distribute Dr Pepper
June 7, 2010 4:36 am | CommentsATLANTA (AP) — The Coca-Cola Co. will pay $715 million to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. for the rights to distribute Dr Pepper and Canada Dry in the U.S. after Coke acquires its largest bottler. Coca-Cola also will distribute Canada Dry, C' Plus and Schweppes in Canada. Those drinks have been distributed by bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.
GM Workers Face Daily Uncertainty, Fear Over Closures
June 7, 2010 4:34 am | by Bobbie J. Clark, AP Writer | CommentsSHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Charlotte and Walt Kowalcyk were going to retire from the local General Motors plant in 2013. He would've had nearly 45 years of service under his belt, while she would have logged 21 years. It would have given them financial security for the rest of their days. Now the Kowalcyks go to work every day under a cloud of uncertainty.
China's Wages No Longer Viable For Cheap Labor
June 7, 2010 4:31 am | CommentsTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Recent wage hikes in China could force Taiwanese electronics firms operating there to relocate to other Asian countries, a Taiwanese industry leader has said. Chairman Arthur Chiao of the Taiwan Electronics and Electrical Appliances Association said his group is assisting China-based Taiwanese companies to seek out new manufacturing sites in India, Indonesia and Vietnam in the wake of steadily rising labor costs on the mainland.
Ammunition Plant Ignored 'Numerous' Safety Concerns
June 7, 2010 4:29 am | CommentsCOLEBROOK, N.H. (AP) — Court documents regarding a deadly explosion at a New Hampshire gun and ammunition plant indicate evidence of possible violations concerning the storage, manufacturing and handling of explosive materials. The Caledonian-Record reports the state fire marshal's office received two search warrants regarding the MDM Muzzleloader plant in Colebrook.
Oil Industry: Thousands Of Jobs At Stake
June 4, 2010 5:00 am | by Alan Sayre, AP Business Writer | CommentsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — With a six-month moratorium ordered for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, oilfield companies and analysts are warning of job losses and production delays. In addition, drilling companies could send idled rigs to foreign markets, and new regulation could make producing some fields unprofitable, they said.
Chrysler CEO: Our Products Were 'Inexcusable'
June 4, 2010 4:39 am | by Kathy Barks Hoffman, Associated Press Writer | CommentsMACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (AP) — The auto industry can't afford to become complacent and must guard against slipping into old habits as it rebounds, the head of Chrysler Group LLC said Thursday. CEO Sergio Marchionne said he worries that he's seeing a reluctance to make the fundamental, structural, traumatic change the industry must make to remain competitive.
'Shrek'-Themed McDonalds Cups Pulled For Cadmium
June 4, 2010 4:26 am | by Justin Pritchard, Associated Press Writer | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Cadmium has been discovered in the painted design on "Shrek"-themed drinking glasses being sold nationwide at McDonald's, forcing the fast food company to recall 12 million of the cheap U.S.-made collectibles while dramatically expanding contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children's jewelry.
