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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Wearable Robots Getting Lighter, More Portable
May 10, 2013 10:23 am | by Carla K. Johnson, AP Medical Writer | CommentsThe technology has many nicknames. Besides "wearable robot," the inventions also are called "electronic legs" or "powered exoskeletons." This version, called Indego, is among several competing products being used and tested in U.S. rehab hospitals that hold promise for people recovering from strokes or afflicted with multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
Ford Shareholders Reject Stock Proposal
May 10, 2013 10:21 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsFord Motor Co. shareholders are again rejecting a proposal to dilute the Ford family's control over the company. At its annual meeting in Wilmington Thursday, Ford said 67 percent of shareholders voted against the proposal to make each Ford share worth one vote.
ArcelorMittal Affirms 2013 Targets Despite Q1 Loss
May 10, 2013 10:20 am | by Toby Sterling, Associated Press | CommentsArcelorMittal SA, the world's largest steelmaker, slumped to a first-quarter loss, even as the company's chief executive said restructuring efforts are starting to pay off and the steel market is stabilizing after a big reverse in the middle of last year.
Company Plans $1.5B Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
May 10, 2013 10:18 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsState and local leaders in Grand Forks announced Thursday plans to build a new $1.5 billion nitrogen fertilizer production facility northwest of Grand Forks. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown were joined by others in announcing that Northern Plains Nitrogen intended to build the new facility.
Jury Finds 3 Guilty Of Weapons Plant Break-In
May 9, 2013 2:16 pm | by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press | CommentsAn 83-year-old nun and two fellow protesters were convicted Wednesday of interfering with national security when they broke into a nuclear weapons facility in Tennessee and defaced a uranium processing plant. It took a jury about 2 ½ hours to find the three protesters guilty of a charge of sabotaging the plant and second charge of damaging federal property in July the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge in July.
Tesla Model S Gets Consumer Reports' Top Score
May 9, 2013 2:15 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | CommentsThe Tesla Motors Inc. Model S electric car has tied an older Lexus for the highest score ever recorded in Consumer Reports magazine's automotive testing. The Model S, which starts at $62,400 after a federal tax credit, scored 99 points on a scale of 100 in the magazine's battery of tests.
Van Maker Backed By Energy Dept. Shuts Down
May 9, 2013 2:13 pm | by Matthew Daly, Associated Press | CommentsA Michigan company that received a $50 million federal loan to make vans for the disabled has stopped production and laid off its 100 workers. Vehicle Production Group, or VPG, suspended operations in February after its finances dipped below a minimum level required as a condition of the federal loan.
Japanese Auto Parts Maker To Add 200 NC Jobs
May 9, 2013 2:11 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsA Japanese auto parts manufacturer plans to add more assembly lines and hire another 200 workers at an existing North Carolina factory by the end of 2016. Gov. Pat McCrory's office said Wednesday that ASMO North America's Greenville plant already employs more than 530 people who produce parts for front wipers and for radiator fan motors.
Honeywell Closing York Plant, Idling Over 100
May 9, 2013 2:10 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsHoneywell plans to close a plant in eastern Pennsylvania by the first quarter of next year, idling more than 100 workers. The Honeywell Process Solutions plant in York makes products used in the natural gas industry. The company specializes in energy efficiency products.
U.S. Wholesale Stockpiles Up In March
May 9, 2013 2:09 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | CommentsWholesale businesses stepped up their restocking of supplies in March, but their sales fell sharply. The Commerce Department said Thursday that stockpiles held by wholesalers rose 0.4 percent in March compared with February, when they had fallen 0.3 percent.
Defendants: No Remorse For Weapons Plant Break-In
May 8, 2013 2:31 pm | by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press | CommentsAn 83-year-old nun and two other protesters accused of defacing a Tennessee nuclear weapons plant said Wednesday they have no remorse for their actions and were pleased to reach one of the most secure parts of the facility. Sister Megan Rice, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed testified on their own behalf during their federal trial on charges related to the July intrusion at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.
Two Hospitalized After Sandblasting Plant Explosion
May 8, 2013 2:28 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsTwo people are hospitalized in Tulsa after an explosion outside a sandblasting plant in Eufaula. McIntosh County Sheriff Kevin Ledbetter told reporters the two were injured in the blast at Ford Sandblasting in west Eufaula shortly after noon Tuesday. Officials say the two suffered burns in the blast but their names and conditions were not immediately released.
Cyberattacks A Growing Irritant In U.S.-China Ties
May 8, 2013 2:27 pm | by Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press | CommentsA bill introduced in the Senate on Tuesday would require the president to block imports of products using stolen U.S. technology or made by companies implicated in computer theft. Washington's sudden focus on Chinese hacking comes after rising complaints from U.S. businesses about theft of trade secrets.
China Reports Stronger April Trade Growth
May 8, 2013 2:25 pm | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | CommentsChina reported stronger April trade but analysts said export data were inflated and its shaky recovery might be weaker than it looks. Exports rose 14.7 percent over a year earlier, up from March's 10 percent growth, customs data showed Wednesday. Imports gained 16.8 percent, up from the previous month's 14.1 percent.
Germany Plans Tighter Control Of Managers' Pay
May 8, 2013 2:23 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe German government plans to give companies' shareholders a greater say in setting managers' pay. The proposal follows a similar decision by voters in neighboring Switzerland this year and comes as Germany prepares for national elections.
