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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Unions Bash Kraft CEO On Cadbury Takeover
March 16, 2010 9:32 am | by Jane Wardell, AP Business Writer | CommentsLONDON (AP) — British union leaders and lawmakers lashed out at Kraft Inc. Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld for failing to appear before an inquiry on the U.S. company's takeover of British confectioner Cadbury on Tuesday. The Unite union also criticized Rosenfeld for failing to meet directly with workers at Cadbury sites across the country to reassure them about the company's plans after it backtracked on a promise to keep open a local factory.
US Steel CEO Takes 83 Percent Salary Cut
March 16, 2010 9:31 am | by Sandy Shore, AP Business Writer | CommentsDENVER (AP) — United States Steel Corp. CEO John Surma's compensation package plummeted more than 83 percent last year as he took a salary cut and refused stock awards. The reduction came in a year the company struggled with withering demand for steel. Surma, who also is board chairman, received total compensation of $1.
AK Steel Sues Ex-Workers For Stealing Trade Secrets
March 16, 2010 9:30 am | CommentsWEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — AK Steel Holding Corp. has filed a lawsuit alleging three ex-employees of its Rockport, Ind., plant stole company trade secrets. The lawsuit filed March 11 says Donald Earley resigned as a senior process engineer last year and accepted a job with ThyssenKrupp Steel USA.
We Applies For $255 Million Wis. Biomass Plant
March 16, 2010 9:30 am | CommentsWAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — We Energies has filed for regulatory permission to build a $255 million biomass power plant near Wausau. In its application to the state Public Service Commission, the utility says the plant would supply steam to Domtar's paper mill in Rothschild and create up to 150 jobs.
Judge Overturns Suit Against Ford For Sudden Acceleration
March 16, 2010 9:29 am | by Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Writer | CommentsCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's highest court on Monday overturned an $18 million verdict againstFord Motor Co. in a fatal crash, ruling that one expert shouldn't have been allowed to testify about cruise control problems. Sonya Watson, 17, was paralyzed after losing control of her Ford Explorer in December 1999.
Toyota, UAW Reach Tentative NUMMI Closure Agreement
March 15, 2010 11:25 am | CommentsFREMONT, Calif. (AP) — The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement to shut down California's sole remaining auto plant which employs 4,600 people. The terms weren't disclosed Monday but will include payouts for workers at the Fremont-based Nummi plantwhich is slated to close on April 1.
Industrial Prodcution Edges Up, Manufacturing Slips
March 15, 2010 5:02 am | by Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in February, beating expectations and marking the eighth straight monthly increase. But the key manufacturing sector produced less —for months a rare bright spot — produced less, muting hopes for a speedy recovery.
Lawmakers Bash China Ahead Of Election Day
March 15, 2010 4:58 am | by Foster Klug, Associated Press Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — China is once again the country Congress loves to hate. After a lull last year, U.S. politicians jockeying ahead of crucial November elections have stepped up attacks on China as a way to win support from voters worried that the Asian power is taking American jobs. China-bashing eased during President Barack Obama's first year in office, partly as a nod to the administration's attempts to get Chinese help settling nuclear standoffs with North Korea and Iran, and on important environmental and economic initiatives.
Foreign Investment In China Slows In February
March 15, 2010 4:45 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Foreign direct investment in China rose at its slowest rate in seven months in February, the Commerce Ministry reported Monday. Investment for February was $6 billion, up 1.1 percent from a year earlier, a period in the depths of the global crisis. Many companies closed in February for the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday, which distorts economic data.
Toyota, Nissan Create Electric Car Association
March 15, 2010 4:40 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Toyota and three other Japanese automakers together with a power company have set up a group to promote electric vehicles by standardizing recharging machines and marketing the technology abroad. Representatives of Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Feds: Runaway Prius Story Not 'Feasibly Possible'
March 15, 2010 4:27 am | by Elliot Spagat and Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writers | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government said Monday it cannot explain a reported incident of sudden, high-speed acceleration in a Toyota Prius on a San Diego, Calif., freeway last week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that it continues to investigate but "we may never know exactly what happened with this car.
Conn. Considers Waiving Student Loans For 'Green' Jobs
March 15, 2010 4:23 am | by Stephen Singer, AP Business Writer | CommentsHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Paul Goulet hopes Connecticut will help him get from under nearly $8,000 he's borrowed for college after losing his job in a paper manufacturing plant. Goulet, 55, is a student in environmental studies at Goodwin College in East Hartford, aiming to find work in wastewater treatment.
Chinese Lead Factory Posions 88 Children
March 15, 2010 4:22 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — At least 94 people living near a lead factory, most of them children, have tested positive for lead poisoning, state media said Monday, prompting authorities to order the closure of the plant. Hundreds more people are still waiting for test results. Reports of lead poisoning have emerged around the country since last year, highlighting the heavy environmental cost of China's rapid economic development.
Sole N.D. Refinery Plans Monthlong Maintenance Shutdown
March 12, 2010 10:09 am | CommentsJames MacPherson, Associated Press Writer BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's only oil refinery is planning a monthlong shutdown for maintenance and upgrades beginning next month though officials say customers should not see any fuel shortages or price increases. The planned $125 million project at Tesoro Petroleum Corp.
Britain Disappointed With Shady Tanker Contract
March 12, 2010 4:08 am | by Jennifer Quinn, Associated Press Writer | CommentsLONDON (AP) — The French and British leaders accused the United States of protectionism on Friday over a contract to build a new Air Force refueling tanker. A European-led consortium pulled out of bidding this week for the $35 billion contract, saying the Pentagon was favoring rival American bidder Boeing.
