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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
British Gas Business lets 40,000 customers defer bills
April 1, 2009 12:02 pm | Articles | CommentsUtility giant British Gas Business recognizes the financial pressure facing consumers and small businesses. British Gas Business, the market leading small business gas and electricity supplier, is preparing to let up to 40,000 customers defer paying their bills to help them through the recession.
Ford's design chief to take post at Volvo
April 1, 2009 11:21 am | Articles | CommentsPeter Horbury, executive director of Ford Americas design, is heading back to Volvo as Ford tries to sell the Swedish carmaker. Ford Motor says its leading design director is heading to Volvo, as the company tries to sell the Swedish carmaker. Peter Horbury, executive director of Ford Americas design, will move to Volvo and become vice president of design.
3M cutting worldwide work force by 1,200 more jobs
April 1, 2009 11:17 am | by DONNA BORAK, AP Business Writer | Articles | Comments3M Co. is cutting “several hundred” jobs in Minnesota as part of further global work force reductions. 3M Co. is cutting its worldwide work force by another 1,200 jobs, or 1.5 percent, because of the global economic slump.
Construction, manufacturing dip less than expected
April 1, 2009 11:01 am | Articles | CommentsThe Institute for Supply Management revealed a better than expected manufacturing index for February, suggesting contraction may be nearing an end. Construction spending fell for a fifth straight month in February, but the results were better than expected and along with other economic reports, suggested contraction may be nearing an end.
Bombardier gets boost with US$1.44-billion order for new CSeries jets
March 31, 2009 8:04 am | Articles | CommentsBombardier said Monday the firm order from Lease Corporation International Aviation Ltd., which leases aircraft to major airlines including Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Air France, SAS and Virgin Atlantic, comes with options for a further 20 jets.
Arkansas governor signs manufacturers' tax cut
March 31, 2009 7:58 am | Articles | CommentsThe governor signed identical House and Senate bills Monday that would reduce the tax from 3.875 percent to 3.125 percent. The bills are sponsored by Rep. David Dunn, D-Forrest City, and Sen. Barbara Horn, D-Ashdown.
Obama puts GM, Chrysler on short leash
March 31, 2009 7:47 am | by DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent | Articles | CommentsPresident Barack Obama asserted unprecedented government control over the auto industry Monday, bluntly rejecting turnaround plans by General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, demanding fresh concessions for long-term federal aid and raising the possibility of quick bankruptcy for either ailing auto giant.
Record Strong Export Growth to China in 2008
March 26, 2009 4:29 am | Articles | CommentsStates across the country again increased exports to China during 2008, with 18 exceeding $1 billion in sales, according to the third annual survey of state exports by the US-China Business Council (USCBC).
Oil Prices Decline; More Build-up in US Reserves
March 26, 2009 4:26 am | Articles | CommentsBenchmark crude for May delivery fell $1.12 to $52.86 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It had been off as much as $51.86 before the Energy Information Administration released its inventory data.
Stocks Climb as Economic Data Again Top Forecasts
March 26, 2009 4:18 am | Articles | CommentsThe government says February brought unexpected increases in demand for big-ticket manufactured goods and sales of new homes. Economists had expected both readings would add to an extended slump.
Durable Goods Orders, New Home Sales Rise in Feb.
March 26, 2009 4:14 am | Articles | CommentsThe Commerce Department said Wednesday that orders for durable goods — manufactured products expected to last at least three years — increased 3.4 percent last month, much better than the 2 percent fall economists expected. It was the first advance after a record six straight declines and the strongest one-month gain in 14 months.
Yellow Jacket
March 25, 2009 10:37 am | Articles | CommentsThe R2607A “Yellow Jacket” tool box from SEQUOIA® is a 26”, 7-Drawer roll cab, equipped with auto-return drawers and smooth ball-bearing slides rated at 99 lbs per pair. According to the company, the drawers are also equipped with full-extension and quick release features. Double-wall construction and heavy duty casters boost the load rating to over 800 lbs.
Mobile Hydraulic Series
March 25, 2009 10:30 am | Articles | CommentsCEJN recently unveiled its Medium Pressure Mobile Hydraulic series. Offering compact designs, ergonomic one hand operation, extra locking security, and minimal spillage, this series is designed to streamline operation and save energy costs
Inductive Proximity Sensors
March 25, 2009 10:20 am | Articles | CommentsOmron's E2EH inductive proximity sensors in a food-grade 316L stainless steel housing provide reliable metal object or machine part detection in demanding environments. The sensor is designed to withstand high temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius and resist corrosion from detergents and disinfectants used in the food industry.
Safeti-Gates
March 25, 2009 10:03 am | Articles | CommentsMezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc., announces the latest design innovation, the Tri-Sided Model, to the Roly safety gate product line. While the same proactive approach to worker safety applies to all models, the new model allows access to the mezzanine workstation from three sides.
Tentative Deal Between Canadian Auto Workers, GM
March 9, 2009 1:32 pm | by David N. Goodman, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsThe deal freezes wages and pensions through September 2012 and for the first time requires workers and retirees to pay health care premiums. Cost-of-living adjustments also are frozen until June 2012.
Award Presented At National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Event
March 9, 2009 1:31 pm | Articles | CommentsAK Steel (NYSE: AKS) said that Representative John Boehner (R-8, OH) received the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence today at an award event hosted by AK Steel at its West Chester, Ohio headquarters.
Ford Workers Approve UAW Contract Changes
March 9, 2009 12:43 pm | by Kimberly S. Johnson, AP Auto Writer | Articles | CommentsThe United Auto Workers Union says its members working for Ford Motor Co. have approved contract changes that include freezing wages and cutting other benefits in a move to aimed at helping the automaker remain competitive.
GM Auditors Raise The Specter Of Chapter 11
March 5, 2009 7:10 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | Articles | CommentsGeneral Motors Corp.'s auditors have raised "substantial doubt" about the troubled automaker's ability to continue operations, and the company said it may have to seek bankruptcy protection if it can't execute a huge restructuring plan.
Committee: "America Leads In Innovation, But Is Bleeding Opportunities"
March 5, 2009 7:08 am | Articles | CommentsToday, Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president of the Council on Competitiveness, called for "focus" on turning energy research and development into real economic value before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
U.S. Steel Shutdown Comes As A Shock
March 4, 2009 8:16 am | by Daniel Nolan | Articles | CommentsWorkers said Tuesday night they believed the firm might lay off more workers on top of the 684 laid off since last year, but they didn't foresee an idling of the landmark plant, which U.S. Steel bought when it took over Stelco in 2007, nor the laying off of a further 720 workers.
Low-Profile Puller
March 4, 2009 8:12 am | Articles | CommentsIndustrial Pulley Puller offers a new low-profile model to their line of portable hydraulic pullers. Safely remove frozen parts with ease, reduce repair time, and avoid equipment damage
The New Bumper Movement
March 4, 2009 7:51 am | Articles | CommentsDoc-Blok International introduces its Dok-Blok®, a bumper made of mining-grade rubber, moves up and down with the trailer on its own suspension, improving standard rubber bumpers that easily damage and tear.
Explosion Proof
March 4, 2009 7:45 am | Articles | CommentsAshcroft® Type B700 explosion-proof pressure switches can be specifically configured for harsh pressure media and demanding operating environments. The Type B700 pressure switches are enclosed in a NEMA 7/9–IP66 rated housing, and can be used in Class 1, Division 1&2 and Class 2, Division 1&2 hazardous locations.
ISM Index: Manufacturing Sector Expected To Fall
March 3, 2009 8:19 am | Articles | CommentsWall Street economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect the index from the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, dropped to 33.8 last month from 35.6 in January.
