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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Eurozone Recovery Proves Elusive
June 5, 2013 10:01 am | by Pan Pylas, Associated Press | CommentsSeveral economic figures for the 17 EU countries that use the euro all showed the same thing Wednesday — there's no sign of a recovery from recession. Eurostat, the European Union's statistics office, confirmed that the eurozone's economy as a whole shrank 0.2 percent in the first quarter of the year from the previous three-month period, with most sectors declining.
Study IDs Possible New WY Rare Earths Sources
June 5, 2013 10:00 am | by Mead Gruver, Associated Press | CommentsA new study by the Wyoming State Geological Survey has identified dozens of possible sources of rare earth metals in Wyoming in addition to deposits in the Bear Lodge Mountains that a company already has targeted for mining. State geologists gathered and analyzed 335 rock samples from around Wyoming over the past year, making use of $200,000 appropriated by the Legislature.
Toyota Recalls 242K Prius, Lexus Hybrid Cars
June 5, 2013 9:58 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsToyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling about 242,000 of its Prius and Lexus hybrid vehicles due to problems with their braking systems. The recall applies to about 233,000 Prius vehicles made between March and October 2009 and about 9,000 Lexus HS250h models made between June and October 2009.
Treasury To Sell 30M Shares Of GM Stock
June 5, 2013 9:57 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe U.S. government is taking advantage of the recent run-up in General Motors stock to sell off another 30 million shares in the auto giant that it acquired in a bailout. The Treasury Department said Wednesday that it will sell the shares, plus another 20 million owned by a United Auto Workers retiree health care trust, in a public offering after the market closes Thursday.
Chrysler Refuses U.S. Request To Recall Vehicles
June 4, 2013 1:59 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | CommentsA defiant Chrysler is refusing a government request to recall about 2.7 million sport utility vehicles to fix fuel tanks that could leak and cause fires in rear-end collisions. Chrysler said Tuesday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked in a letter that the company recall Jeep Grand Cherokees from 1993 through 2004 and Jeep Libertys from 2002 through 2007.
Fire Prompts Closure Of NE Plant
June 4, 2013 1:58 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsAn early morning fire has prompted the closure of a South Sioux City oat processing plant.The Sioux City Journal reports firefighters responded about 3 a.m. Monday to a fire on a manufacturing line at the Viterra grain processing plant. Tracey Shelton, a spokeswoman for plant owner Richardson International, says the plant is closed while crews assess the damage.
EU Slaps Levies On Chinese Solar Panel Imports
June 4, 2013 1:55 pm | by Juergen Baetz, Associated Press | CommentsThe European Union announced Tuesday that it is imposing anti-dumping levies on imports of Chinese solar panels, in a move that could trigger a trade war between two of the world's largest economies. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said the 27-nation bloc will impose a tariff of about 12 percent on the import of solar panels, cells and wafers.
U.S. Safety Agency May Expand GM Recall
June 4, 2013 1:53 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | CommentsU.S. safety regulators are checking to see if up to 400,000 General Motors cars should be added to two recalls for defective air bags. The probe covers Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic small cars, the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car and the Buick Verano small car from the 2012 model year.
Locked Doors A Sign Of China Work-Safety Failings
June 4, 2013 1:52 pm | by Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press | CommentsA fire breaks out in a Chinese factory, and panicked workers discover one exit after another is locked. That describes not only the poultry plant fire that killed 119 people Monday, but a toy-factory blaze that left 87 workers dead 20 years earlier. The similarities between the two worst factory fires in China's history suggest that little has changed for industrial workers even as the country has transformed its economy.
SME Announces Several Strategic Changes
June 4, 2013 12:52 pm | by SME | CommentsSME has redefined itself for the 21st century based on the value it provides to its numerous audiences and the central role it plays in the advancement of manufacturing. SME is integrating its strategic areas — events, publishing, membership, Tooling U-SME online training division and the SME Education Foundation — around an evolved mission to inspire, prepare and support its stakeholders in the advancement of manufacturing.
Ex-Porsche CFO Found Guilty Of Fraud In VW Bid
June 4, 2013 10:13 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsPorsche's ex-finance chief has been convicted of fraud after a court found he provided false information during the German sports car marker's failed 2009 attempt to take over Volkswagen AG. Former Porsche CFO Holger Haerter was fined an unspecified amount after being found guilty Tuesday by a Stuttgart state court, the dpa news agency reported.
U.S. Trade Deficit Up 8.5 Percent To $40.3B
June 4, 2013 10:10 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | CommentsThe U.S. trade deficit widened in April, as demand for foreign cars, cell phones and other imported goods outpaced growth in U.S. exports. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the trade gap rose 8.5 percent in April from March to $40.3 billion. Exports increased 1.2 percent to $187.4 billion, the second-highest level on record.
Italian Gov't Prepares To Take Over Ilva Steel Mill
June 4, 2013 10:08 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsItaly's industry minister says the government is preparing an emergency decree to temporarily take over Europe's largest steel mill, which is beset by environmental and corruption scandals. Flavio Zanonato said Tuesday that it had become clear that the cleanup of the plant cannot be conducted by those responsible for the environmental emergency.
Silicon Valley At Front Line Of Global Cyber War
June 4, 2013 10:06 am | by Martha Mendoza, AP National Writer | CommentsChinese President Xi Jinping and American counterpart Barack Obama will talk cyber-security this week in California, but experts say the state's Silicon Valley and its signature high-tech firms should provide the front lines in the increasingly aggressive fight against overseas hackers.
Aircraft Part Maker To Bring 100 Jobs To SC
June 4, 2013 10:04 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsDavis Aircraft Products said Monday it expects to hire 100 people to work in the new $5.5 million plant when it opens next spring in Andrews, S.C. The company will make tubing for airplanes at the new plant. Davis Aircraft Products CEO Bruce Davis says he appreciated the support he got from state and local officials as he decided where to put his new manufacturing plant.
