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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Washington Approves Taxes On Soda, Candy
April 13, 2010 4:10 am | by Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Writer | CommentsOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A multimillion-dollar revenue package that increases taxes on bottled water, soda, candy and mass-produced beer was approved by the Washington state Legislature as lawmakers finished their work to plug a $2.8 billion budget deficit. Just hours before the Legislature adjourned the special session, the Senate passed, on a 25-21 vote, the measure that makes up about $668 million of Democrats' nearly $800 million revenue package.
China Announces Massive Antidumping Taxes On U.S. Steel
April 13, 2010 4:08 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — China announced antidumping duties of up to 64.8 percent on U.S. and Russian steel used by the power industry Tuesday amid a series of disputes with the United States and other trading partners. Investigators also found U.S. producers of flat-rolled electrical steel received subsidies, the Commerce Ministry said.
AP: Evasion And Foreign Status Among Toyota's Tricks
April 12, 2010 4:21 am | by Curt Anderson and Danny Robbins, Associated Press Writers | CommentsMIAMI (AP) — Toyota has routinely engaged in questionable, evasive and deceptive legal tactics when sued, frequently claiming it does not have information it is required to turn over and sometimes even ignoring court orders to produce key documents, an Associated Press investigation shows.
Govt. Panel: Celebration Of Recession's End 'Premature'
April 12, 2010 4:19 am | by Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — A panel of academics that date the beginnings and ends of recessions isn't ready to declare just yet when this downturn ended. The National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday that although most barometers show improvements in the economy, it would be "premature" to pinpoint the end of a recession based on economic data seen so far.
Sharp Brings 3-D, Dorky Glasses Into Your Living Room
April 12, 2010 4:12 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Sharp is trying to play catch-up in 3-D TVs with powerful rivals Samsung and Panasonic with displays the Japanese electronics maker says are brighter and clearer. Osaka-based Sharp Corp., which makes Aquos brand liquid-crystal display TVs, initially played down the urgency of selling 3-D TVs, questioning whether consumers wanted them.
Ford's Rawsonville Plant To Manufacture Hybrid Batteries
April 12, 2010 4:11 am | CommentsDEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is expected to use a parts plant near Ypsilanti to supply hybrid vehicle battery packs. A letter dated March 30 and posted on the Web site of United Auto Workers union Local 898, which represents employees at Ford's Rawsonville plant, says the facility has been selected to build the components.
Body Part Manufacturer In High Demand
April 12, 2010 4:09 am | by Holly Hollman | CommentsATHENS, Ala. (AP) — Bill Turner's company manufactures products nobody wants to use, but people are thankful they are available if needed. If a wreck crushes bones in a motorist's back, Turner's company makes a metal implant doctors can insert in the spine to fuse to the remaining bones.
GM's Chinese Sales To Top 3 Million By 2015
April 12, 2010 4:07 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | CommentsSHANGHAI (AP) — General Motors Co. said Monday demand in China is so strong that the company's annual sales may top 2 million vehicles this year — four years ahead of schedule — and could exceed 3 million by 2015. GM is counting on robust growth in China, India and other emerging markets to help offset weakness in its home U.
Perdue Accused Of Hiring Illegal Immigants In Lawsuit
April 9, 2010 6:59 am | CommentsSALISBURY, Md. (AP) — Employees of Perdue Farms Inc. are accused in a class-action lawsuit of knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. The plaintiffs allege that Perdue has conspired to hire large numbers of illegal immigrants, driving down wages of legal workers below market levels. The complaint was filed in federal court in Alabama.
800 Workers Strike Over Tightened Drinking-At-Work Policies
April 9, 2010 4:47 am | CommentsCOPENHAGEN (AP) — Scores of Carlsberg workers walked off their jobs in protest Thursday after the Danish brewer tightened laid-back rules on workplace drinking and removed beer coolers from work sites, a company spokesman said. The warehouse and production workers in Denmark are rebelling against the company's new alcohol policy, which allows them to drink beer only during lunch hours in the canteen.
Race Car To Climb Mountain — Without A Driver
April 9, 2010 4:35 am | by Terence Chea, Associated Press Writer | CommentsSAN JOSE, California (AP) — It can traverse rough terrain, accelerate quickly and negotiate sharp turns like other high-performance sports cars, but there's one thing that sets this Audi coupe apart: It doesn't need a driver. The car, named Shelley, is the latest creation by Stanford University researchers who are developing technology that could help make driving safer and one day allow ordinary vehicles to drive on their own.
U.S.-China Relations Improving, Could Solve Currency Debate
April 9, 2010 4:32 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | CommentsSHANGHAI, China (AP) — For months, economists have expected Beijing to start boosting the value of its currency about now to ease strains in its fast-growing economy. The big question: Would Chinese leaders put off changes to avoid looking weak in the face of mounting U.S. pressure for action? Washington has helped to defuse that conflict with conciliatory gestures including Thursday's impromptu visit to Beijing by U.
OSHA Proposes Fine For 2,000-Pound Ammonia Leak
April 9, 2010 4:14 am | CommentsPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal work safety officials want to fine the company that owns a commercial Maine freezer that had an ammonia leak, which may have contaminated millions of pounds of food. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing fines of up to $9,000 for Americold Logistics because of a January leak in Portland caused when a refrigeration unit fell from the ceiling.
Hugo Boss, Union Discuss Alternatives To Closure
April 9, 2010 4:12 am | CommentsBROOKLYN, Ohio (AP) — Hugo Boss and union leaders have met with a federal mediator without reaching an immediate agreement on the planned closure of a men's suit factory near Cleveland, which could cost 375 jobs. The union wants to prevent the scheduled April 27 shutdown of the Brooklyn, Ohio, plant and avoid big pay cuts.
Slim Jim Workers Sue Firms, Town Over Deadly Explosion
April 9, 2010 4:11 am | CommentsRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — About two dozen factory workers are accusing more than a dozen design, manufacturing and installation firms of negligence in a deadly explosion that ripped through a Slim Jim production plant in North Carolina last year. Their lawsuit also accuses inspectors for the town of Garner of failing to properly oversee the installation of a commercial water heater.
