Plant Operations/Management
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Chrysler Seeks More Tax Incentives
December 14, 2012 9:58 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsChrysler Group LLC is seeking tax incentives for its transmission plant in Kokomo at the same time it's asking Tipton County officials for similar incentives on a vacant plant. Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson confirmed Friday that the automaker had asked the city to approve tax abatement, but she wouldn't discuss any further details.
China's Biggest Automaker To Build Thailand Factory
December 13, 2012 10:38 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThai agriculture conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group said Thursday it has agreed to set up a joint venture with China's largest automaker, SAIC Motor Corp., with the aim of opening an auto factory in Thailand in the next two years. The joint venture, under the name of CP Motor Holding Co., will facilitate Thailand's ambitious efforts to become the "Detroit of Asia," said Noppadon Chiaravanont.
M'bishi Heavy To Buy Pratt & Whitney Turbine Business
December 13, 2012 10:32 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Thursday it will buy the small- and medium-size gas turbine business of U.S. aeroengine maker Pratt & Whitney to further strengthen its energy business. The move comes after Mitsubishi Heavy recently announced a merger of its thermal power generation business with that of Hitachi Ltd. to increase its international competitiveness.
Pratt & Whitney Sells Turbine Unit To Mitsubishi
December 12, 2012 2:24 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsPratt & Whitney is selling its turbine business in order to better focus more on its core aerospace and commercial businesses. Terms of the sale of the Power Systems segment to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were not disclosed Wednesday, but the deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013.
A123 Wins Bankruptcy Court Approval Of Asset Sale
December 12, 2012 10:19 am | by Randall Chase, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA bankruptcy judge on Tuesday approved the sale of most of the assets of failed battery maker A123 Systems Inc. to the U.S. arm of Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. for nearly $257 million. In asking Judge Kevin Carey to approve the sale, attorneys for A123 noted that the winning bid submitted by Wanxiang America Corp. last week was more than double an initial $125 million offer.
German Vice Chancellor Slams GM Over Opel
December 11, 2012 10:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGermany's vice chancellor has sharply criticized General Motors Co. over its decision to end car production at a German plant, arguing that the U.S. automaker was wrong to keep its European unit out of lucrative overseas markets. GM's Opel subsidiary said Monday it will stop making cars at Bochum, one of four German factories, in 2016 — though the plant may continue to make components.
GM's Opel To End Car Production At German Plant
December 10, 2012 10:11 am | by Geir Moulson, Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co.'s Opel unit said Monday that it plans to end car production at one plant in Germany in 2016, but a slimmed-down factory may continue to make components. Employees at the Bochum plant in northwestern Germany, one of four in the country, were told that vehicle production will end when the company stops making the current Zafira model.
Chinese Company Wins Bid For U.S. Battery Maker A123
December 10, 2012 10:07 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBankrupt battery maker A123 Systems Inc. said it will sell most of its assets to the U.S. arm of Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. for $256.6 million. Wanxiang America Corp. won an auction conducted under the supervision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Crystal CEO: Company Still Willing To Talk
December 7, 2012 10:22 am | by Dave Kolpack, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe head of American Crystal Sugar Co. said Thursday that the company is still willing to negotiate with locked-out factory workers, but he didn't think it was a good idea to let them parade around at the company's annual shareholders meeting.
Bangladesh Factory Lost Fire Clearance
December 7, 2012 10:14 am | by Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe factory where 112 garment workers died in a fire should have been shut down months ago. The fire department refused to renew the certification it needed to operate, a top fire official told The Associated Press. And its owner told AP that just three of the factory's eight floors were legal. He was building a ninth.
France Announces Plan To Save Steel Site
December 3, 2012 12:53 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFrance's prime minister announced on Friday that there would be no layoffs at a blast furnace site that has become a symbol for maintaining jobs in a tough economic climate. Instead, steel company ArcelorMittal has promised a €180 million ($233.75 million) investment and the government will modernize it with an eco-friendly project.
Twinkies Maker Hostess Ready For Its Big Bake Sale
November 30, 2012 10:16 am | by Candice Choi, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsHostess Brands Inc. got final approval for its wind-down plans in bankruptcy court Thursday, setting the stage for its iconic snack cakes to find a second life with new owners — even as 18,000 jobs will be wiped out. The company said in court that it's in talks with 110 potential buyers for its brands, which include CupCakes, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos.
Solar Firm That Got $26M In MS Loans Is Closing
November 30, 2012 10:13 am | by Jeff Amy, Associated Press | News | CommentsMississippi taxpayers may have only an empty Senatobia building and solar panel equipment to show for $26 million in loans to Twin Creeks Technologies. The California-based solar technology firm is liquidating and a company that bought Twin Creeks' assets won't take over its agreement with Mississippi. Twin Creeks had agreed to invest at least $132 million and create at least 500 jobs in exchange for loans, tax breaks and other aid.
Factory Owner Didn't Know Fire Exits Needed
November 29, 2012 2:09 pm | by Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe owner of a Bangladesh clothing factory where a fire killed 112 people says he was never informed the facility was required to have an emergency exit, a sign of how far removed the leaders of the nation's garment industry are from issues of worker safety.
Freak Tornado Hits Disputed Italy Steel Plant
November 28, 2012 2:09 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA freak tornado struck a steel plant in southern Italy on Wednesday just days after its owners announced their intention to close what is Europe's largest steel facility. One person was reported missing and some two dozen were injured when the tornado struck Wednesday, the ANSA news agency said, adding that the Ilva plant sustained significant damage.
MN Company Picks IN For Iron Pellet Plant
November 27, 2012 2:11 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA Minnesota company has selected a northern Indiana site for an iron ore pellet plant costing up to $350 million to build. Magnetation announced Tuesday it would build the plant at the White County town of Reynolds where construction of a VeraSun ethanol plant was suspended five years ago.
A123 Bankruptcy Financing Gets Final Approval
November 27, 2012 10:13 am | by Randall Chase, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA U.S. judge is giving final approval for Chinese auto-parts maker Wangxiang Group to provide $50 million in bankruptcy financing for battery maker A123 Systems. A123, which makes lithium ion batteries for electric cars, sought bankruptcy protection last month after receiving more than $130 million of a $249 million Department of Energy grant it was awarded.
French Minister Wants Steel Firm ArcelorMittal Out
November 26, 2012 10:28 am | by Jamey Keaten, Associated Press | News | CommentsMany European countries with lagging economies are trying to draw in foreign investors. But in France, a Socialist minister says he wants to kick the world's biggest steel maker out of the country, accusing it of lying to the government.
Twinkie Maker Hostess To Close Down, Sell Brands
November 26, 2012 10:26 am | by Candice Choi, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsTwinkies, Ho Hos, and Wonder Bread are up for sale now that a bankruptcy judge cleared the way for Hostess to fire 18,500 workers and wind down operations. A last-ditch effort to end a strike with Hostess' bakers union failed and Judge Robert Drain approved the company's request to shut down its business and sell the pieces to the highest bidder.
Hostess: Talks To Stave Off Shutdown Have Failed
November 21, 2012 10:14 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsHostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies and other snack cakes, said late Tuesday that it failed to reach an agreement with its second-biggest union. As a result, Hostess plans to continue with a hearing on Wednesday in which a bankruptcy court judge in White Plains, New York, will decide if the company can shutter its operations.
Judge Asks Hostess To Mediate With Union
November 20, 2012 10:17 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe tasty cream-filled golden spongecakes known as Twinkies won't die that easily after all. Hostess Brands Inc. and its second largest union will go into mediation to try and resolve their differences, meaning the company won't go out of business just yet. The news came Monday after Hostess moved to liquidate and sell off its assets in bankruptcy court citing a crippling strike last week.
Hawker Beechcraft Customers Balk At Inventory Sale
November 20, 2012 10:15 am | by Roxana Hegeman, Associated Press | News | CommentsA bankruptcy judge sided Monday with a group of current Hawker Beechcraft customers who balked at a move by the Kansas plane maker to immediately sell off its inventory of discontinued Hawker 4000 jet aircraft at substantial discounts as part of the company's bankruptcy proceedings.
Lamborghini To Decide On SUV In Coming Months
November 14, 2012 2:42 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsLamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann says the automaker will decide in coming months whether to join other luxury brands and expand into all-terrain sports utility vehicles. Winkelmann said Wednesday that Lamborghini needs to consider the impact of higher SUV volumes on its facilities and where to invest its resources during an economic crisis.
Governors Call For Wind Energy Tax Credit Renewal
November 14, 2012 10:28 am | by Jeff Barnard, Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe fate of a tax credit that advocates say is needed to maintain tens of thousands of wind energy jobs will be decided during high-stakes, last-minute negotiations between President Obama and House Republicans over fiscal issues, officials said Tuesday.
A Look At RIM's Much-Delayed BlackBerry 10
November 13, 2012 1:42 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe phones had been expected late this year. The delay means the phones will miss the holiday shopping season and come months after the launch of a new iPhone. The delay could make it even harder for RIM to regain market share lost to Apple's iPhone and devices running Google's Android operating software.
