Plant Operations/Management
Lawmakers: Put Dangerous Chemical Site Info Online
June 18, 2013 10:10 am | by Will Weissert, Associated Press | News | CommentsThere are 16 fertilizer production sites in Texas like the one that exploded in West, but authorities aren't clear how many of those might be located near schools or other residential centers, top state officials said Monday. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy testified before the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
U.S. Gave Up On Manufacturing For Short Term Profits
June 18, 2013 8:05 am | by PD&D | Articles | CommentsBio-Chem Fluidics' new Vice President of Operations, Joe Turiello, says that the United States on the whole seems way too willing to give up its manufacturing capabilities for short term profits. PD&D caught up with Turiello to talk to him about his new position, the future of Bio-Chem, and his thoughts on the industry.
2 Remain Hospitalized After LA Explosions
June 17, 2013 2:13 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal investigators are at two chemical plants that were the sites of fatal explosions last week, and two people remain hospitalized. CF Industries Holdings Inc. spokeswoman Blythe Lamonica says a team from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was at the plant Sunday.
AP: More Bangladesh Factories Dangerous
June 14, 2013 5:23 pm | by Ravi Nessman, Associated Press | News | CommentsBangladeshi garment factories are routinely built without consulting engineers. Many are located in commercial or residential buildings not designed to withstand the stress of heavy manufacturing. Some add illegal extra floors atop support columns too weak to hold them, according to a survey of scores of factories by an engineering university that was shown to The Associated Press.
Blast At LA Plant Kills 1, More Than 70 Hurt
June 14, 2013 10:02 am | by Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe blast sent workers on a mad scramble to escape the plant, said a worker, some of them by clambering over gates. Outside the plant, witnesses saw towering flames and felt the ground shudder. A body was found by hazardous materials crews moving through the site after the blast, state police Capt. Doug Cain said.
Once-Promising IN Car Venture Ends In Bankruptcy
June 14, 2013 9:55 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA company that had planned to build high-tech police cars in a vacant plant that once housed a rust belt city's largest employer has filed for bankruptcy, dashing the hopes of a community desperate for economic rejuvenation. Carbon Motors Corp. filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Indianapolis on Friday.
IN City Sues Over Failed Pharmaceutical Facility
June 14, 2013 9:50 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA suburban Indianapolis city has filed a foreclosure lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company that failed to open after receiving $8.4 million in loans and other assistance from the city. Greenwood officials had tried for months to help with talks involving possible investors in hopes of saving Elona Biotechnologies before deciding to file the lawsuit, Mayor Mark Myers said.
Cooper CEO Says Buyer Committed To U.S. Operations
June 13, 2013 2:09 pm | by John Seewer, Associated Press | News | CommentsA tire maker whose main market is in India is buying Ohio's Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for $2.2 billion and making a commitment to maintain the company's three U.S. manufacturing plants and retain its management operation in Ohio, Cooper's chief executive said Wednesday.
Kaeser Opens New Factory-Direct Facility
June 13, 2013 11:53 am | by Kaeser Compressors, Inc. | News | CommentsKaeser Compressors, Inc., a leading worldwide manufacturer of industrial air compressors, blowers, and related equipment, opened a new factory-direct facility to support Kaeser's industrial and commercial customers in the greater Philadelphia area.
Next Phase For MN Ford Plant: Demo
June 10, 2013 2:31 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe nearly century-long history of the Ford Motor Co. plant in St. Paul will soon be erased. Demolition starts Monday and is expected to last into next year. Decommissioning has already been underway for some time, with equipment being shipped to other Ford sites or recycled.
Bangladesh: 7 Failed To Check Doomed Factories
June 10, 2013 10:06 am | by Farid Hossain, Associated Press | News | CommentsBangladesh has suspended seven inspectors it accuses of negligence for renewing the licenses of garment factories in a building that collapsed in April, killing more than 1,100 people, a top Labor Ministry official said Monday. The official, Mikail Shipar, said a ministry investigation found that the inspectors never even visited the five factories housed in the shabbily built eight-story Rana Plaza building.
IN Pushes Ahead With Fertilizer Plant
June 7, 2013 11:02 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Pakistan-based developers of a fertilizer plant have won a southwestern Indiana county's initial approval for the project, weeks after the state pulled its support. Posey County's Board of Commissioners and Council voted last week to give preliminary approval to Midwest Fertilizer Corp. for its proposed plant, including a $1.3 billion bond issue to help finance the project in the county just west of Evansville.
Dubuque John Deere Plant Lays Off 65 Employees
June 7, 2013 11:02 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA John Deere plant in Dubuque has laid off 65 employees in its manufacturing section. John Deere spokesman Ken Golden says despite recent strong earnings, the decision is based on sales and demand in its construction and forestry division.
Safety At Deadly China Plant 'Extremely Chaotic'
June 7, 2013 11:02 am | by Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press | News | CommentsChina's workplace safety agency said negligence among factory managers and government inspectors caused "extremely chaotic" work-safety conditions at a poultry plant where a deadly fire killed 120 workers this week. Safety exits were blocked at the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Co. plant and managers neglected to hold required safety drills or worker education, State Administration of Work Safety head Yang Dongliang said.
ArcelorMittal Sells Stake In Canada Unit For $1.1B
May 31, 2013 1:43 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, said Thursday that it has completed the sale of a 15 percent stake in one of its Canadian iron ore operations to an Asian-led consortium for $1.1 billion in cash. A group led by South Korean steelmaker POSCO and China Steel Corp. had entered into a joint venture that owns ArcelorMittal iron ore mining and infrastructure assets in Quebec. The deal was originally announced in January.
Shelby Developing WA Supercar Factory
May 30, 2013 2:17 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsTri-City native Jerod Shelby is building a factory in West Richland for his SSC North America company that makes cars that can speed hundreds of miles per hour and sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Shelby broke ground Tuesday on the $5 million project, which will include a research and development section and museum, The Tri-City Herald reported. It could employ more than 50 people.
Amway Building $81M Facility In Michigan
May 29, 2013 2:17 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAmway Corp. is building an $81 million manufacturing and warehouse facility near the company's headquarters in West Michigan. The direct-sales giant on Wednesday announced the official start of construction of the 317,000-square-foot facility near its headquarters in Kent County's Ada Township.
Lenovo Ramping Up Jobs At PC Manufacturing In NC
May 29, 2013 10:04 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsLenovo Group is ramping up its first American manufacturing operation for personal computers. The No. 2 computer maker said Tuesday its new production line near Greensboro is on track to meet its hiring target of about 115 jobs by the end of June.
Auto Parts Maker To Expand IL Plant
May 28, 2013 1:19 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA Japan-based maker of auto components says its roughly $15 million planned expansion of a southern Illinois plant will add 80 jobs. Aisin Electronics Illinois joined regional officials in breaking ground this week on the 108-square-foot Marion project the company expects to be completed early next year.
British Firms Face Ethical Dilemmas In Bangladesh
May 24, 2013 2:14 pm | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsFor the first time, Tesco, one of the largest retailers in the world, opened the doors to its factory in Bangladesh. ITV News visited a production center said to be ethically run. It manufactures many of the 40 million garments made in Bangladesh every year for the supermarket giant Tesco.
ND Body Gives Tax Break To Manufacturing Plant
May 24, 2013 2:14 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Burleigh County Commission has agreed to give Midwest Manufacturing a 50 percent property tax break for three years on a $7.5 million manufacturing plant it plans to build in McKenzie Township. Midwest Manufacturing is a subsidiary of Menards. The Bismarck Tribune reports that the company plans to build the wood products and distribution facility along state Highway 10.
VW Plant Reaches Production Milestone
May 24, 2013 2:12 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsVolkswagen has reached another production milestone at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the 250,000th Passat midsize sedan has rolled off the assembly line. The milestone announced Thursday comes barely more than two years since production began at the Tennessee plant.
Ford To End Auto Production In Australia In 2016
May 23, 2013 12:14 pm | by Kristen Gelineau, Associated Press | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. said Thursday it will close its two Australian auto plants, ending production in the country in 2016, amid soaring manufacturing costs and plummeting sales. The closure of the U.S. automaker's plants in the state of Victoria will mean the loss of 1,200 jobs and will transform the company into an import-only brand in Australia.
Fire Marshal's Office: Panel Had Blast Site Access
May 23, 2013 12:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe State Fire Marshal's Office says a federal safety panel's investigators had access to the site of a Texas fertilizer plant blast that killed 15 people and injured about 200 others. The chairman of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board had asked for congressional help in obtaining evidence under the control of the state agency and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
German Co., Pepsi Open NY Yogurt Plant
May 22, 2013 2:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA second yogurt plant is about to open in a Genesee County business park. Sen. Charles Schumer says the Muller Quaker Dairy plant will have a grand opening on June 3. The $206 million dollar plant is a joint venture of PepsiCo and Germany's Theo Muller company.
