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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
4-Month Strike At Peugeot Plant Ends
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsA four-month strike at a car factory north of Paris has come to an end, although the workers say they will still fight a plan to close the plant. PSA Peugeot Citroen said Friday that it had signed an agreement with the CGT union to end the strike, which started in January. The CGT called the strike "suspended."
Authorities: Crime Not Ruled Out In TX Blast
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | by Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press | CommentsInvestigators working in the remnants of an exploded Texas fertilizer plant sifted by hand through untold kernels of corn, moved tons of debris and conducted more than 400 interviews, while searching for the missing piece to solve what many officials compared to an extraordinary puzzle. One month after a fire triggered a massive blast killing 15 people, officials on Thursday had to declare the cause of the blaze as "undetermined."
Only 2 Of 13 Small SUVs Do Well In Crash Tests
May 16, 2013 2:28 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | CommentsOnly two of 13 small SUVs performed well in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group, with several popular models faring poorly in the evaluations. Fast-selling models such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal" or "poor" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Cambodian Shoe Factory Collapses, Kills 2
May 16, 2013 2:26 pm | by Sopheng Cheang, Associated Press | CommentsThe ceiling of a Cambodian factory that makes Asics sneakers collapsed on workers early Thursday, killing two people and injuring seven, in the latest accident spotlighting the often lethal safety conditions faced by those toiling in the global garment industry.
Toyota Begins To Export Yaris Out Of France
May 16, 2013 2:24 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsToyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it started manufacturing the Yaris compact car at its French factory for export to North America. Toyota began producing the North American-bound Yaris, known in Japan as the Vitz, at the factory of Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S. in Onnaing near the city of Valenciennes. It will be the first export of European-assembled models to North America.
Trade Group Slams Safety Pact For Bangladesh
May 16, 2013 2:21 pm | by Anne D'Innocenzio, AP Retail Writer | CommentsThe largest U.S. retail-industry group on Wednesday criticized an international pact aimed at improving factory conditions in Bangladesh's garment industry, saying it was a "one-size-fits-all" approach promoted by special interests. The five-year, legally binding contract requires them to help pay for fire safety and building improvements in Bangladesh.
Honda To Return To F1 As Engine Supplier
May 16, 2013 2:19 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsJapanese car manufacturer Honda is returning to Formula One in 2015 as an engine supplier to the automaker's former partner McLaren of Britain. Honda president Takanobu Ito announced the decision at a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
IN Fertilizer Plant Operator Defends Safety
May 16, 2013 2:17 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe developer of a proposed southern Indiana fertilizer plant said Wednesday the project will be safe and not handle explosive materials like a Texas plant where a deadly explosion occurred last month. All of the products made at the Ohio Valley Resources LLC proposed for the Ohio River city of Rockport will be liquid, non-flammable and non-explosive, Fairfield, Ill.-based developer Doug Wilson said.
U.S. Wholesale Prices Fall By Most In 3 Years
May 15, 2013 2:08 pm | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsSharp drops in fuel and food costs reduced a measure of U.S. wholesale prices in April by the most in three years. Outside those volatile categories, inflation stayed tame. The producer price index, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, fell a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent in April from March, the Labor Department said Wednesday.
Man Electrocuted At St. Louis Co. Plant
May 15, 2013 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsA man is dead after being electrocuted at a manufacturing plant in St. Louis County. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that employees of St. Louis Cold Drawn Inc. arrived at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday and found the 55-year-old victim on the ground. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and pronounced dead.
Boeing Resumes 787 Deliveries After 4-Month Halt
May 15, 2013 2:05 pm | by Joshua Freed, AP Business Writer | CommentsBoeing restarted deliveries of 787s on Tuesday after a four-month halt while it dealt with the smoldering batteries that had kept the planes grounded. Boeing handed the plane over to Japan's All Nippon Airways at its factory in Everett, Wash.
TX Plant Explosion Findings To Be Released
May 15, 2013 2:04 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsState and federal agents will release this week the findings of an investigation into a deadly explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant. The State Fire Marshal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will announce their findings on Thursday.
Foes Of IN Fertilizer Plant Cite TX Blast
May 15, 2013 2:03 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsOpponents of a proposed southern Indiana fertilizer plant are arguing that state officials should block the project because of dangers highlighted by last month's deadly explosion at a Texas fertilizer manufacturer. An Illinois businessman is seeking permission to build a fertilizer plant projected to cost $950 million near the Ohio River city of Rockport.
North Dakota Pasta Plant To Restart Production
May 15, 2013 2:00 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe former Noodles by Leonardo plant in Cando will start producing pasta again next week after six months of closed doors. The facility is now owned by Cando Pasta LLC, a partnership of local businessmen Jim and Bruce Gibbens and two other investors.
U.S. Factory Output Falls In April
May 15, 2013 10:18 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | CommentsU.S. factories cut back sharply on production in April, as auto companies cranked out fewer cars and most other industries reduced output. The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that manufacturing output dropped 0.4 percent in April from March. It was the third decline in four months and the biggest since October.
