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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Ford Adding 2,000 Workers To MO Plant
May 2, 2013 2:10 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. said Thursday that it's adding 2,000 workers to the Missouri plant that makes the F-150 pickup because of surging U.S. truck demand. The company plans to add a shift with 900 workers in the third quarter of this year to make pickups. That's in addition to the 1,100 workers Ford will hire to make the new Transit van. Those workers will start in the fourth quarter.
Steel Firm To Add Jobs To Supply CAT Plant
May 2, 2013 2:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA steel fabricator plans to add more than 150 jobs over the next three years at its Dawson County plant, company executives said, to supply parts for a new Caterpillar production facility near Athens. The Times of Gainesville reported that Impulse Manufacturing will produce parts for several small excavators that will be produced at the new Caterpillar plant.
The Death Of Innovation, The End Of Growth
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsThe U.S. economy has been expanding wildly for two centuries. Are we witnessing the end of growth? Economist Robert Gordon lays out 4 reasons U.S. growth may be slowing, detailing factors like epidemic debt and growing inequality, which could move the U.S. into a period of stasis we can't innovate our way out of. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Erik Brynjolfsson.
The Key To Growth? Race With The Machines
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsAs machines take on more jobs, many find themselves out of work or with raises indefinitely postponed. Is this the end of growth? No, says Erik Brynjolfsson -- it’s simply the growing pains of a radically reorganized economy. A riveting case for why big innovations are ahead of us … if we think of computers as our teammates. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Robert Gordon.
Abused Disabled IA Plant Workers Awarded $240M
May 1, 2013 2:09 pm | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsAn Iowa jury on Wednesday awarded a total of $240 million to 32 mentally disabled Iowa turkey processing plant workers for what government lawyers described as years of around-the-clock abuse and discrimination by the Texas company that oversaw their care, work and lodging.
Angry Workers Unite On May Day
May 1, 2013 2:05 pm | by Mehmet Guzel, Suzan Fraser, Associated Press | News | CommentsWorkers around the world united in anger during May Day rallies Wednesday — from fury in Europe over years of austerity measures that have cut wages, reduced benefits and eliminated many jobs altogether, to rage in Asia over relentlessly low pay, the rising cost of living and hideous working conditions that have left hundreds dead in recent months alone.
Carpet Company Planning New GA Plants
May 1, 2013 2:00 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA spokesman for Gov. Nathan Deal says a carpet manufacturing company will open two plants in northwest Georgia and create about 2,400 jobs. Deal's spokesman Brian Robison confirmed Wednesday that Engineered Floors will build plants in Whitfield and Murray counties.
China Automaker To Open CA Electric Bus Plant
May 1, 2013 10:16 am | by John Rogers, Associated Press | News | CommentsA Chinese company whose mantra is Build Your Dreams plans to build all-electric buses in California's Mojave Desert. Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris and officials of BYD Automotive scheduled a news conference Wednesday to announce plans to open the first Chinese-owned vehicle manufacturing plant in the United States in the wind-swept high-desert city 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Jury Deliberates In IA Worker Abuse Case
May 1, 2013 10:12 am | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsA government attorney asked jurors Tuesday to award damages to 32 mentally disabled workers, saying they were subjected to around-the-clock discrimination by a Texas company that profited from their work at an Iowa turkey plant. qual Employment Opportunity Commission attorney Robert Canino said the former workers for Henry's Turkey Services suffered "broken lives" because of the conditions they endured.
Heat, Air Conditioning Maker Expanding Dayton
April 30, 2013 1:41 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGoodman Manufacturing will expand its plant in Dayton, creating 200 new jobs. State and company officials announced Tuesday that Goodman is investing $2 million in the plant in Rhea County, which makes commercial and light commercial heating and air conditioning equipment.
Caterpillar To Close Summerville Plant
April 30, 2013 10:11 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsCaterpillar says it plans to close its Summerville remanufacturing plant next year, a move that will put 280 people out of work. The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the company said Monday that the decision came after an extensive strategic review of the business.
Japan Manufacturing, Hiring Rise In March
April 30, 2013 10:08 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsJapan manufacturing and employment showed slight improvements in March, buttressing hopes that the economy may be headed for a moderate recovery. Factory output rose 0.2 percent, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Tuesday, in the fourth straight monthly increase. It pointed to strength in chemicals, electrical components, telecommunications equipment and steam turbines.
Yokohama: Tire Demand Calls For U.S. Plant
April 30, 2013 10:06 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsExecutives with Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. say they will build a new tire plant in Mississippi because they see a global supply shortage for tires. The company plans to invest $300 million, hiring 500 people, in a first phase, and could invest $1.2 billion, hiring 2,000 people, over time. State and local governments could give more than $340 million in aid and tax breaks.
Goodyear, Union Begin Contract Talks For 6 Plants
April 29, 2013 2:24 pm | by Thomas J. Sheeran, Associated Press | News | CommentsWith the backdrop of an uncertain economy, shrinking unions and company cost-cutting, Goodyear and the Steelworkers are negotiating on a new national contract covering 8,000 tire workers at six plants. The first round of talks in Cincinnati ended Thursday and recessed.
MS Lawmakers Pass Incentives For Tire Maker
April 29, 2013 10:09 am | by Jeff Amy, Associated Press | News | CommentsA Japanese company will get incentives that could be worth more than $330 million to build a tire manufacturing plant in Clay County. Mississippi lawmakers quickly passed the bill intended for Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. in a Friday special session, with House members supporting it 117-2 and Senate members supporting it unanimously. The entire session took less than four hours.
Caterpillar Laying Off About 60 At IL Plant
April 26, 2013 5:02 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsCaterpillar Inc. is laying off about 60 employees at a plant in central Illinois as the company deals with declining profits. The Journal Star in Peoria reports that Caterpillar said Thursday that it will lay off workers at a foundry in Mapleton starting in early May. The town is just south of Peoria, where Caterpillar is based.
S. Korea Demands Talks With N. Korea On Closed Factory
April 25, 2013 2:16 pm | by Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press | News | CommentsAfter weeks of threatening rhetoric from the North, South Korea on Thursday promised its own unspecified "grave measures" if Pyongyang rejects talks on a jointly run factory park shuttered for nearly a month. The park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong is the most significant casualty so far in the recent deterioration of relations between the Koreas.
Outokumpu To Cut 2,500 Jobs
April 25, 2013 2:13 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFinnish metals group Outokumpu Oyj says it will slash 2,500 jobs worldwide in the next four years to cut costs by 350 million euros ($455 million) and improve profitability as stainless steel demand continues to fall. The world's leading stainless steel maker says about a third of the job cuts will be applied this year, mostly in Germany, Sweden and Finland, in line with production capacity reductions and streamlining.
SC Governor Signs Boeing Incentives Bill
April 24, 2013 10:10 am | by Seanna Adcox, Associated Press | News | CommentsSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Tuesday signed legislation to provide $120 million in incentives to the Boeing Co. for its expansion plans in the state. "Boeing is a part of the fabric of South Carolina, and this solidifies our relationship with Boeing going forward," Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said.
EEOC Seeks Damages For Disabled IA Plant Workers
April 23, 2013 2:14 pm | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsA now-defunct Texas company that put mentally disabled men to work at an Iowa turkey plant for decades is due in court to defend itself against allegations that it subjected the men to physical and verbal abuse. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Henry's Turkey Service on behalf of 32 former workers.
Kalamazoo's Bell's Brewery Plans MI Plant
April 23, 2013 10:18 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBells Brewery Inc. is seeking the Escanaba City Council's approval Thursday to buy property and build a manufacturing plant in the Upper Peninsula city. MLive.com reports that the Kalamazoo-based beer-maker on Friday offered $35,000 for 3.15 acres in the Whitetail Industrial Park. Bell's offer says it will build the plant within 18 months and says it will employ five people.
Canadian Company Plans SD Wind Tower Plant
April 22, 2013 2:10 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA Canada-based company plans to manufacture wind towers in a building it purchased in the eastern South Dakota city of Brandon. The Argus Leader reports that Marmen Inc. promotes itself as the largest wind tower manufacturer in North America. The company has said it plans to hire 200 people at the new plant.
Survey: U.S. Budget Tightening Not Hurting Business
April 22, 2013 10:15 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsWashington's budget tightening is having a minimal effect on businesses, a survey of business economists released Monday shows. The National Association for Business Economics survey asks how higher taxes and lower government spending effected businesses in the first three months of 2013.
IL Auto Parts Maker Gets State Help To Expand
April 19, 2013 4:03 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is giving an auto parts maker $4.4 million in tax breaks and other incentives after the company agreed to add 300 jobs at its plant in eastern Illinois. The department said Thursday that North American Lighting Inc. will add the jobs at its plant in Paris as part of a $50 million expansion.
Toyota To Build Lexus ES 350 At KY Plant
April 19, 2013 10:19 am | by Toyota | News | CommentsFor the first time, a Lexus vehicle will be produced in the United States. The Lexus ES 350 will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in 2015, Toyota announced today. The move will generate 750 new jobs. To support the new dedicated assembly line, Toyota will invest $360 million in the Georgetown plant.
