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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
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.
Coca-Cola Opens Myanmar Bottling Plant
June 4, 2013 10:03 am | by Yadana Htun, Associated Press | CommentsCoca-Cola began bottling its famous soft drink in Myanmar on Tuesday as part of a planned five-year, $200 million investment after having no local production for more than 60 years. The company announced in a press release the ceremonial inauguration of its bottling plant in Hmawbi Township, a suburb of Yangon, the country's biggest city, with local partner Pinya Manufacturing Co.
U.S. Auto Sales See Big Gains In May
June 3, 2013 1:53 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | CommentsThe strong sales are another sign that auto sales will continue to boost the U.S. economy, as consumers replace aging vehicles and businesses invest in trucks as they gain confidence. Builders are buying pickup trucks at a rapid pace as home construction continues to rebound.
7 Workers Arrested At Nike Subcontractor
June 3, 2013 1:52 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsCambodian police on Monday clashed with workers and arrested seven at a factory that makes clothing for the U.S. sportswear company Nike in the latest violence linked to a strike over salaries there, a union organizer said. Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia organizer Son Vanny said its members exchanged barrages of sticks and stones with members of a rival union opposing the strike.
3-D Printing Goes From Sci-Fi Fantasy To Reality
June 3, 2013 1:49 pm | by Martha Mendoza, AP National Writer | CommentsOnce a science-fiction fantasy, three-dimensional printers are popping up everywhere from the desks of home hobbyists to Air Force drone research centers. Users are able to make just about anything they like: iPad stands, guitars, jewelry, even guns. But experts warn this cool innovation could soon turn controversial — because of safety concerns but also the potential for the technology to alter economies that rely on manufacturing.
U.S. Manufacturing Gauge Sinks To June 2009 Level
June 3, 2013 1:48 pm | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsA measure of U.S. manufacturing fell in May to its lowest level since June 2009 as slumping overseas economies and weak business spending reduced new orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 49 last month from 50.7 in April.
