The Leading Source for Manufacturing News & Insight
Coke Plans Major Expansion Of Fla. Orange Groves
May 7, 2013 2:13 pm | by Tamara Lush, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Coca-Cola Co. says it will invest $2 billion to support the planting of 25,000 acres of new orange groves in Florida. The announcement will be made at a news conference late Tuesday morning at Coca-Cola's production plant in Auburndale. Details were released in advance to The Associated Press.
Pa. Proposes Gas Drilling Health Advisory Panel
May 7, 2013 2:11 pm | by Kevin Begos, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Health Advisory Panel on Shale Gas Extraction would look at potential public health impacts from drilling, along with potential health benefits from natural gas use. The members wouldn't be paid for their two-year terms, and it's not clear how much funding will be needed for the proposal.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Union Poster Rule
May 7, 2013 1:58 pm | by Sam Hananel, Associated Press | News | CommentsA federal appeals court has struck down a National Labor Relations Board rule that would have required millions of businesses to put up posters informing workers of their right to form a union.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia says the board went too far in trying to force employers to display the posters.
Lawsuit: Intel Worker Subjected To 'Kick Me' Prank
May 7, 2013 1:46 pm | by Russell Contreras, Associated Press | News | CommentsIntel workers secretly taped a "Kick Me" sign to the back of a co-worker as a prank, then kicked the confused man a number of times as employees at the Rio Rancho Intel plant laughed hysterically at the episode, according to a federal lawsuit.
Jenoptik To Introduce New Laser Technology And Optics At LASER 2013
May 7, 2013 12:28 pm | Products | CommentsJenoptik has announced that it will show a variety of new and enhanced laser technology products and optical systems at the LASER 2013 trade show, which will be held in Munich, Germany, from May 13 to 16. These products include new semiconductor lasers with better efficiency and new UV lenses for laser direct imaging.
German Industrial Orders Up Strongly
May 7, 2013 11:24 am | News | CommentsGermany's economy defied the eurozone gloom as official figures released Tuesday showed industrial orders rose strongly for a second straight month. Orders for goods from Europe's biggest economy grew 2.2 percent compared with the previous month.
Ammonium Nitrate Was Explosive In Texas Plant Blast
May 7, 2013 11:22 am | News | CommentsThe finding was expected, and officials had said they were focusing their investigation on the explosive chemical used in many fertilizers, said Rachel Moreno, spokeswoman for the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office. A spot where the ammonium nitrate was stored is now a 90-foot-wide crater, Moreno said Monday.
Microsoft Director: 'Manufacturing Is A Hotbed Of Innovation'
May 7, 2013 11:22 am | Articles | CommentsThe fundamental DNA of our business is to unleash the potential of people and organizations. And we have a long history of success in productivity tools. So that’s what we want to continue to do for our manufacturing customers — provide the tools to unlock their potential in growth, innovation, quality and customer service and help them improve productivity by optimizing and connecting their operations.
Safety Agency Watches Ford Vans For Rust Signs
May 7, 2013 11:20 am | News | CommentsU.S. auto safety regulators are monitoring about 100,000 Ford and Mercury minivans that were not covered by a recall issued earlier this year for rust problems. Ford recalled about 230,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans in March to fix rust in the wheel wells that can cause the third-row seats to come loose.
U.S. Job Postings Fell In March; Hiring Slowed
May 7, 2013 11:18 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. employers posted fewer job openings in March compared with February and slowed overall hiring, underscoring a weak month of job growth. The Labor Department says job openings fell 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 million jobs. Total hiring declined 4.3 percent to 4.3 million.
FDA Wants Cancer Warnings On Tanning Beds
May 7, 2013 8:20 am | by Matthew Perrone, AP Health Writer | News | CommentsThe FDA has regulated tanning beds and sun lamps for over 30 years, but for the first time ever the agency says those devices should not be used by people under age 18. The agency wants that warning on pamphlets, catalogues and websites that promote indoor tanning.
Machinists Overwhelmingly OK United Tech Contract
May 7, 2013 8:17 am | News | CommentsUnion Local President Tony Walter said union members won an annual 2.5 percent raise and a $2,000 signing bonus. Pensions will be increased by $7 per month for each year of service and employee contributions to health insurance coverage will increase by as much as $12 a week.
Nun's Nuclear Protest Trial Gets Underway
May 7, 2013 8:01 am | by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press | News | CommentsAn octogenarian nun and two codefendants used bolt cutters to cut through fences and spent about two hours inside a Tennessee national security plant that has had a hand in making, maintaining or dismantling parts of every nuclear weapon in the country's arsenal, federal authorities allege.
GM Recalls More Than 38,000 Cars For Battery Control Defect
May 7, 2013 7:56 am | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co. is recalling 38,197 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal sedans in the U.S. because a defective battery control module could stall the engine or cause a fire. Vehicles from the 2012 and 2013 model years equipped with GM's eAssist hybrid system are affected.
Ethiopian Air Wants Compensation For 787 Grounding
May 7, 2013 7:54 am | News | CommentsThe chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines says his company will seek compensation from Boeing for the grounding of its 787 Dreamliner planes. The airline grounded its four Dreamliners in January following the FAA order for a safety review on the aircraft after incidents of overheating by its lithium batteries. Ethiopian Airlines began flying the 787s again last month.
BMW Recalls 3 Series For Faulty Air Bags
May 7, 2013 7:51 am | News | CommentsBMW is recalling 45,500 3 Series sedans in the U.S. and Canada because their passenger air bags may not inflate properly. The recall affects 3 Series from the 2002 and 2003 model years. The defective air bags have an inflator housing that can rupture during deployment and send shrapnel flying into the vehicle.
China's Struggling Automakers Jump On SUV Boom
May 7, 2013 7:48 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThe SUV boom clashes with Beijing's efforts to push automakers to develop electric cars and to sell smaller vehicles to help curb smog and demand for imported oil. But the SUV's image of safety appeals to prosperous Chinese drivers who face chaotic city streets while electrics from BYD and other producers struggle to attract buyers.
Microsoft Touching Up Windows 8 To Address Gripes
May 7, 2013 7:43 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsThe tune up announced Tuesday won't be released to consumers and businesses until later this year. The changes, part of a software package given the codename "Blue," are a tacit acknowledgment of the shortcomings in Windows 8, a radical overhaul of Microsoft Corp.'s ubiquitous operating system.
Throw The Pilot Out
May 6, 2013 6:12 pm | by Alan Nicol, Executive Member, AlanNicolSolutions | Articles | CommentsI know that I have written about this before, but maybe not so explicitly. Program pilots are booby traps, doomed to fail, generally speaking. There is a simple reason for it. Change, real, observable, meaningful change requires conviction and commitment. A pilot of a change is a demonstration of the absence of both.
Storage Space Can Be Found By Simply Looking Up
May 6, 2013 2:13 pm | by Paul Mihelich, Director of Sales, Wildeck | Articles | CommentsBut while loading docks and warehouses are often landlocked, they don’t have to be, as the answer to additional space can frequently be found by looking up. Vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) and work platforms offer food manufacturers a new level of storage space by going up and adding a second level.
