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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Carpet Maker, Employees Reach $18 Million Settlement
April 13, 2010 8:40 am | Commentsby Kate Brumback, Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) — One of the world's largest carpet makers has agreed to an $18 million settlement with employees who claimed the company hired illegal immigrants in an effort to reduce wages. U.S. District Court Judge Harold Murphy on Monday granted a motion by employees of Mohawk Industries Inc.
Lexus SUV Deemed Unsafe
April 13, 2010 6:58 am | by Dan Strumpf , AP Auto Writer | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Consumer Reports has given the Lexus GX 460 SUV a rare "Don't Buy" warning, saying a problem that occurred during routine handling tests could lead to a rollover accident in real-world driving. In the latest blow to Toyota's reputation, the magazine said that during a test of the vehicle's performance during unusual turns, the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before the electronic stability control system kicked in.
China's President Rejects Calls To Re-Value Yuan
April 13, 2010 4:37 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Hu Jintao rebuffed U.S. calls to re-value China's currency, telling President Barack Obama that any tinkering with the yuan will be done by Beijing in accord with domestic interests. Hu defended China's policy of pegging the yuan to the dollar at a Monday meeting with Obama in Washington and said changes to the exchange rate would not come from U.
GM: Chevy Volt Glides Past 40-Mile Electric Range
April 13, 2010 4:33 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Real-world tests show that General Motors Co.'s rechargeable electric car can travel 40 miles on battery power as promised, company engineers said Monday. Engineers are testing six Volts that recently were made on a Detroit assembly line, driving them at the company's proving ground and on roads around Detroit.
AP: Economic Stress Eased In February As Jobs Return
April 13, 2010 4:12 am | by Martin Crutsinger and Mike Schneider, Associated Press Writer | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Economic stress declined in the nation's most troubled areas in February as unemployment stabilized and the pace of foreclosures eased, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. After peaking in January, economic stress dipped in February in half the states and half the 3,141 counties.
IBM Opens $30 Million Server Manufacturing Plant
April 13, 2010 4:11 am | CommentsPOUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) — IBM Corp. says it has opened a new $30 million manufacturing facility at its Poughkeepsie, N.Y., site to produce the next generation of mainframes and servers. The Hudson Valley facility officially opened Tuesday and will produce IBM's next line of System z mainframe computers and high-end Power Systems servers.
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.
