Plant Operations/Management

New Machinery Ready At Steelmaker Gerdau's Plant

October 24, 2012 2:21 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Steelmaker Gerdau is unveiling new machinery at a Michigan steel facility as part of the company's ongoing expansion. The company on Wednesday is marking the completion of construction of a continuous caster at its North American special steel facility in Monroe, about 35 miles southwest of Detroit.

Ford Closes Belgian Plant In 2014; 9,500 Jobs Hit

October 24, 2012 10:31 am | by Raf Casert, Associated Press | News | Comments

Ford will close a car plant in Belgium — one of its main European factories — by the end of 2014, a move that will result in 4,500 direct job losses and 5,000 more among subcontractors. Half a century after construction on the Genk plant started, Ford told a management council there that production was winding down since slumping European sales has forced a restructuring of its plants.

Volkswagen Mulls New SUV For North America

October 24, 2012 10:28 am | by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press | News | Comments

German automaker Volkswagen AG is considering the introduction of a new midsize SUV for the North American market, and its existing Tennessee plant is a contender for building it. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn told reporters in New York on Tuesday that a decision on whether to build the new model will be made soon, but probably not before the end of the year.

Dow Chemical To Slash 2,400 Jobs, Close 20 Plants

October 24, 2012 10:26 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The Dow Chemical Co. will eliminate about 2,400 jobs and close roughly 20 manufacturing facilities as part of a restructuring plan aimed at coping with slowing economic growth in Europe and elsewhere. The manufacturing giant said Tuesday that the job cuts amount to 5 percent of the company's workforce worldwide.

GM To Share Vehicle Projects With Peugeot

October 24, 2012 10:23 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

General Motors is saying more about the kind of cars it will build as part of its alliance with France's PSA Peugeot Citroen. The companies said they'll develop a joint program that will make a small van for GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands and serve as the basis for a compact crossover vehicle for Peugeot.

Ally To Sell Canada Auto Finance Operations

October 23, 2012 11:36 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Ally Financial Inc., the former finance arm of General Motors that was bailed out by the U.S. government, is selling its Canadian auto finance unit to Royal Bank of Canada for $4.1 billion. The deal, expected to close early next year, is part of Ally's plan to accelerate repayment of the $17.2 billion bailout, but it was unclear Tuesday exactly when the government would get more money.

Nothing Run-Of-The-Mill For Tool And Instrument Manufacturer

October 22, 2012 8:12 am | by Edgecam | Articles | Comments

Operating in a “niche within a niche” is how the managing director of a tool maker and manufacturer of precision scientific instruments – some of which are currently operating in space, one-and-a-half-million kilometres away from Earth – describes his company.

Corvette Production Idled For 6 Months In KY

October 19, 2012 2:19 pm | by Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press | News | Comments

General Motors plans to idle Corvette production in Kentucky for six months to prepare for the next generation of the iconic sports car. The automaker laid out its schedule Thursday for revamping its assembly plant in Bowling Green for the all-new 2014 model. Production will halt sometime in February to make way for retooling, renovating the body shop and retraining employees, GM spokesman Monte Doran said.

Hawker Beechcraft Sale To Chinese Firm Collapses

October 18, 2012 2:25 pm | by Roxana Hegeman, Associated Press | News | Comments

Talks to sell Hawker Beechcraft's operations to China's Superior Aviation Beijing Co. have collapsed and the Wichita plane maker said Thursday that it now plans to emerge from bankruptcy protection as a slimmed down company in the first quarter of 2013.

Satcon Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

October 17, 2012 2:22 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Satcon Technology Corp. on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following years of financial struggles and a severe downturn in the solar power industry. Steve Rhoades, Satcon's president and CEO, said that after considering its alternatives, the company's board decided that the Chapter 11 filings were a "necessary and prudent step" that would allow the company to continue to operate while it reorganizes.

MI-Based Dennen Steel Opens Plant In MS

October 17, 2012 10:22 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Dennen Steel Corp. has opened its new manufacturing facility in the northeastern corner of Mississippi. Gov. Phil Bryant was among those attending a ceremony Tuesday at the 50,000-square-foot plant at Yellow Creek Port in Iuka. Workers will turn slit steel coils into precision stampings, fabricated metal parts and assemblies.

Hillenbrand To Buy German Firm For $300M

October 16, 2012 2:36 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Hillenbrand Inc. on Tuesday said it will acquire Germany's Coperion Capital GmbH for 232 euros, or about $300 million, expanding Hillenbrand's industrial products operations as the company diversifies beyond its traditional business making burial caskets.

Battery Maker A123 Files For Bankruptcy Protection

October 16, 2012 10:24 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The U.S. operations of electric car battery maker A123 Systems filed for bankruptcy protection and its automotive assets are being acquired by Johnson Controls for $125 million. The announcement Tuesday comes one day after A123 warned in a regulatory filing that it likely would miss some debt payments and could be headed for bankruptcy court.

Ribbon Cutting Held For WV Gestamp Plant

October 15, 2012 2:30 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

International auto parts company Gestamp has cut the ribbon for its new plant in South Charleston. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the plant Monday. The plant is located at the former South Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing Plant. Gestamp is an international company based in Spain.

Fiat Industrial: CNH Rejects Merger Proposal

October 15, 2012 10:05 am | by Colleen Barry, AP Business Writer | News | Comments

U.S. farm and industrial vehicle group CNH has rejected a merger proposal from its parent, Fiat Industrial, the Italian company said in a statement Monday. Fiat Industrial, which already owns 88 percent of CNH, said in a statement that it has asked to meet with the U.S. group's advisers to see if they can reach agreement on revised terms "within the next several weeks" to salvage the deal.

Wichita Group To Meet With Potential Hawker Buyer

October 11, 2012 2:08 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

A Wichita delegation plans to meet with the potential buyer of Hawker Beechcraft during a five-city business development trip to China. Mayor Carl Brewer wants to ask Superior Aviation Beijing whether the work and employees will remain in Wichita, should the deal go through.

Danaher, Cooper To Sell JV For $1.6B

October 10, 2012 4:22 pm | News | Comments

Earlier today, Danaher Corporation and Cooper Industries announced the sale of their joint venture, Apex Tool Group, to Bain Capital for approximately $1.6 billion subject to post-closing adjustments. Currently, Danaher and Cooper each maintain a 50 percent joint venture ownership interest in Apex.

Century Aluminum Rejects WV Power Proposal

October 10, 2012 2:25 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Century Aluminum Co. on Tuesday rejected a proposal meant to aid the restart of its West Virginia smelter. The California-based metals producer announced that the electricity rate offer from the state Public Service Commission falls short.

BAE, EADS Call Off Merger

October 10, 2012 10:28 am | by Sarah Dilorenzo, Sylvia Hui, Associated Press | News | Comments

A deal to create a European defense and aerospace giant to rival Boeing Co. collapsed Wednesday when Britain's BAE Systems and EADS NV called off their merger discussions. The companies said they had "decided to terminate their discussions" over the proposed $45 billion tie-up because of conflicting interests between the British, French and German governments.

Merck To Move Global Headquarters

October 9, 2012 2:11 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The drugmaker announced that it will move its global headquarters within New Jersey as it looks to lower operating expenses and consolidate properties. The Whitehouse Station property houses about 2,000 employees and contract workers. They will either move to Summit or to other facilities in New Jersey. The Summit location currently houses research, manufacturing, animal health, and consumer care operations.

AK Plant Marks Expansion, Job Creation

October 9, 2012 10:34 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

A factory in Prescott that makes roofing materials marked the opening Monday of its $36 million expansion and addition of 100 new jobs. Firestone Building Products Co. consolidated work from a plant at Kingtree, S.C., with its modernized factory in Prescott.

Analyst: It's Time To Break Up HP

October 9, 2012 10:32 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Hewlett-Packard Co. would be better off breaking up into two separate companies instead of tormenting shareholders by pursuing a prolonged turnaround attempt, according to an industry analyst. UBS analyst Steven Milunovich concluded that HP should be split up after attending a management presentation that brought the company's challenges into sharper focus.

Stanley Black & Decker Selling Unit For $1.4B

October 9, 2012 10:29 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Tool maker Stanley Black & Decker Inc. is selling its hardware and home improvement business to Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. for $1.4 billion in cash. The hardware and home improvement unit makes locksets, hardware and faucets for residential use and includes brands such as Pfister, Baldwin and Kwikset.

Lockheed Martin Reorganizing, Cutting 200 Jobs

October 8, 2012 2:10 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The aerospace and defense contractor will split its electronic systems division into two separate units that will help to lower costs and streamline its operations. It is also folding its global training and logistics unit into the two divisions being created from the electronics systems business.

Renew Growth, Eliminate Volatility With Dynamic Operations

October 8, 2012 12:57 pm | by Gary Godfrey and Russ Rasmus, Accenture | Articles | Comments

By adapting their operations to flex with markets, smart manufacturers with global footprints are learning to profit from permanent volatility, while insulating themselves against downside risk and simultaneously moving with speed and agility to capitalize on opportunities as they arise.