News

Georgia Man Crushed By Stacking Machinery

September 17, 2010 4:38 am | Comments

NORCROSS, Ga. (AP) — Gwinnett County officials say a man was crushed to death by machinery at plant near Norcross. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Gwinnett County fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge says the 48-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was employed at the RockTenn plant.

J&J Exec Retires Amid Another Recall Probe

September 17, 2010 4:37 am | by Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the Johnson & Johnson division responsible for most of the company's 11 product recalls announced her retirement late Thursday, shortly after a congressional committee probing the recalls invited her to a second hearing on the case. J&J, reeling from an unprecedented spate of recalls that includes more than 135 million bottles of infants' and children's Tylenol and other nonprescription medicines, said Colleen Goggins will retire on March 1 after almost 30 "successful and distinguished" years with the company.

59 Alabama Pipemakers Laid Off

September 15, 2010 4:55 am | Comments

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — American Cast Iron Pipe Co. says it plans to lay off another 59 workers in Birmingham. The layoff announced Tuesday is the company's second in a little more than two months. The Birmingham News reports the Birmingham-based maker of iron and steel pipes used for water, oil and natural gas transmission says the layoffs will take effect Oct.

U.S. Manufacturing Rises 0.2 Percent In August

September 15, 2010 4:51 am | by Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Industrial production rose modestly in August and the manufacturing sector grew for the 12th time in 14 months. Output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities edged up 0.2 percent last month, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. It rose 0.6 percent in July.

Toyota Moves To Dismiss Acceleration Lawsuits

September 15, 2010 4:49 am | Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. has moved to dismiss hundreds of lawsuits over claims stemming from sudden acceleration in its vehicles. The auto giant filed a motion Tuesday with a federal court in Santa Ana, saying attorneys for Toyota drivers had failed to identify any defects in the vehicles.

Bristol-Myers Warned Of Subpar Practices In Puerto Rico

September 15, 2010 4:48 am | by David McFadden, Associated Press Writer | Comments

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned drug giant Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. of possible sanctions if it fails to correct "significant violations" of good manufacturing practices at one of its two plants in Puerto Rico. The drugmaker said it has already begun correcting problems mentioned in the warning letter that the U.

China-U.S. Steel Deal Could Jeopardize National Security

September 15, 2010 4:47 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | Comments

BEIJING (AP) — A state-owned Chinese company signed an agreement Wednesday to invest in a Mississippi steel mill in a deal that has prompted complaints by some U.S. lawmakers that it might jeopardize national security. Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corp.'s investment is seen as a test of American willingness to accept Chinese investment.

Explosion Injures 6 At Military Flare Manufacturer

September 15, 2010 4:44 am | by Adrian Sainz, Associated Press Writer | Comments

TOONE, Tenn. (AP) — A fire was burning itself out Tuesday night after an explosion injured six workers at a manufacturing plant in southwestern Tennessee that makes flares for the military. Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen said firefighters at Kilgore Flares Co. in Toone were monitoring the blaze because of the danger there could be another explosion.

Taking A Turn For The Better

September 14, 2010 6:20 am | Comments

Manufacturing technology consumption in the United States is up nearly 59 percent when compared with 2009. Peter Borden, AMTDA president Manufacturing technology consumption in the United States totaled $266.08 million in July, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA) and The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT).

Retail Sales Crush Thoughts Of Double-Dip Recession

September 14, 2010 4:48 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | Comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retail sales rose in August by the largest amount in five months, adding to evidence that a late spring economic swoon was temporary and not the start of another recession. Retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month, the best advance since March, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Corn Syrup Makers Seek New Name: Corn Sugar

September 14, 2010 4:46 am | by Emily Fredrix, AP Marketing Writer | Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — The makers of high fructose corn syrup want to sweeten up its image with a new name: corn sugar. The bid to rename the sweetener by the Corn Refiners Association comes as Americans' concerns about health and obesity have sent consumption of high fructose corn syrup, used in soft drinks but also in bread, cereal and other foods, to a 20-year low.

Mott's Workers Approve Contract After 4-Month Strike

September 14, 2010 4:39 am | Comments

WILLIAMSON, N.Y. (AP) — About 300 striking workers have approved a new labor contract with Mott's and will return next week to their jobs at the company's apple juice plant in western New York. Officials with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union say hourly employees at the Wayne Countyplant voted Monday 185 to 62 in favor of the contract and will return to work Monday, four months after they went on strike over proposed wage and benefit reductions.

Kraft Facility Undergoes 'Flexible' Restart After Shooting

September 14, 2010 4:37 am | Comments

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Workers have returned to the Philadelphia Kraft Foods plant where a suspended employee fatally shot two co-workers and wounded a third last week. The Northeast Philadelphia plant reopened Sunday night, with counselors on hand to help employees cope with the aftermath of Thursday's shooting.

Boeing Demolishes Plant 2, Home To 'Rosie The Riveter'

September 14, 2010 4:36 am | by George Tibbits, Associated Press Writer | Comments

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) — The dilapidated factory that helped make Seattle a high-tech town is being demolished after 75 years, a casualty of time, technology and tails that grew too tall. Boeing Co.'s Plant 2, a sprawling but outdated building, gave birth to some of the world's most significant aircraft.

Harley Workers Divided, Disgruntled Over Being 'Threatened'

September 14, 2010 4:31 am | by Dinesh Ramde, Associated Press Writer | Comments

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Harley-Davidson Inc.'s three Wisconsin unions have agreed to a contract with steep concessions. Now it's up to the company to confirm it won't move its production out of the state. Harley's board of directors was scheduled to review the voting results Tuesday from the unions, which all agreed to accept the new contract to save jobs.