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SME: Canadian Manufacturers Optimistic About 2013 Business Growth
April 24, 2013 2:37 pm | by Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) | News | CommentsTwo-thirds of manufacturers surveyed by SME are optimistic about business growth over the next 12 to 18 months, with most anticipating a moderate to significant rise. At the same time, they are expecting to face some pressing challenges as they move forward, including a shortage of skilled workers and rising production costs.
Senators: Military Should Buy U.S. Athletic Shoes
April 24, 2013 2:18 pm | News | CommentsAs a rule, the Defense Department purchases shoes and clothing that are made in America, the senators said. The department used to treat athletic footwear the same way, but in recent years it's been giving military personnel a cash allowance to buy their own footwear.
Italy: Animal Rights Protests Set Back Research
April 24, 2013 2:05 pm | News | CommentsThe head of pharmacology at Milan's state university says a weekend break-in by animal rights activists who freed about 100 laboratory animals has cost years of research and hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Prof. Francesco Scaglione said Tuesday the activists also mixed up cages, making it impossible to continue some experiments.
30 Years Later, Nation Remains At Educational Risk
April 24, 2013 2:01 pm | by Philip Elliott, Associated Press | News | Comments"A Nation at Risk," the report issued 30 years ago by President Ronald Reagan's Education Department, was meant as a wake-up call for the country. It spelled out where the United States was coming up short in education and what steps could be taken to avert a crisis.
Court Upholds $32.8M Cooper Tire Case Verdict
April 24, 2013 1:49 pm | by David Pitt, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Iowa Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld a $32.8 million jury award against Cooper Tire and Rubber Co., affirming the verdict is in line with the evidence. The case involves a 2007 rollover crash near Bondurant that killed Assata Karlar, 27, and paralyzed Ivon Toe, 42.
Novartis Plans To Cut 300 Jobs At Nebraska Plant
April 24, 2013 1:40 pm | News | CommentsNovartis plans to trim production and cut about 300 jobs from its Lincoln payroll. The Swiss pharmaceutical company said Wednesday that the job cuts will occur over the next two years, leaving about 450 workers to concentrate on making three products.
European Recession Hits Major Automakers
April 24, 2013 1:37 pm | by David McHugh, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsGermany's Volkswagen AG said its first-quarter net profit fell 38 percent to 1.95 billion euros ($2.5 billion), while Daimler AG's was down 60 percent at 564 million euros. U.S.-based Ford Motor Co. lost $462 billion in Europe and called the outlook there "uncertain," although the company's global earnings rose 15 percent to $1.6 billion.
Orders For U.S. Durable Goods Fall In March
April 24, 2013 1:28 pm | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsOrders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods fell in March by the most in seven months. The drop reflected a steep decline in commercial aircraft demand and little growth in orders that signal future business investment. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that orders for durable goods declined 5.7 percent in March.
GM: Chevy Spark EV Can Go 82 Miles Per Charge
April 24, 2013 1:26 pm | News | CommentsGeneral Motors said Wednesday that the battery-powered version of its Chevrolet Spark mini-car can travel up to 82 miles (132 kilometers) on a single charge, putting it among the leaders in mass-market electric vehicles sold in the U.S.
BPI To Pay EPA Fine For 2007 Waterloo Accident
April 24, 2013 1:23 pm | News | CommentsBeef Products Inc. has agreed to pay a $450,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of Clean Air Act regulations from a 2007 incident at a now-closed Waterloo packing plant which killed a worker and injured another. In the accident more than 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released into an area occupied by workers and two became trapped.
FDA Device Will Screen For Fake Medicines Overseas
April 24, 2013 1:20 pm | by Matthew Perrone, AP Health Writer | News | CommentsMore than a third of malaria-fighting pills used in Africa and Asia are either fake or bad quality, according to a study released last year. Rampant drug counterfeiting has undermined efforts to fight the mosquito-borne disease, which causes fever, chills and flu-like illness.
Welcoming Grandma Into Our Virtual Future
April 24, 2013 9:57 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsI feel that every generation experiences at least once technology that is a complete diversion from what existed before, one that fundamentally changes the way our society works. These revolutions challenge us to adapt and take on new ways of thinking. I think VR is on the verge of becoming one of those technologies.
New Deadline Ordered For FDA Food Safety Reforms
April 24, 2013 8:32 am | News | CommentsA federal judge is siding with two California advocacy groups in ruling that the Food and Drug Administration must set a new timetable to implement delayed food safety reforms. U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton in Oakland, Calif. handed down the decision on Monday.
Israel To Make Wings For F-35 Warplanes
April 24, 2013 8:31 am | News | CommentsIsrael Aerospace Industries says it has signed a long-term contract with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin to produce wings for the F-35 next-generation fighter jet. The state-owned company said Tuesday the contract is for 10 to 15 years and could generate up to $2.5 billion in sales.
Toyota Top Selling Automaker Despite China Fall
April 24, 2013 8:11 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsToyota held onto its status as the world's top-selling automaker in the first quarter of this year, although the three-way race with General Motors and Volkswagen is proving tight, as its sales fall in China and Japan. Toyota Motor Corp. reported Wednesday it sold 2.43 million vehicles during the January-March period.
Hostess Plans To Reopen Georgia Baking Facility
April 24, 2013 8:07 am | News | CommentsHostess Brands, LLC has announced plans to re-launch its bakery in Columbus and plans to add about 300 jobs in the area over the next several years. The Georgia Department of Economic Development Tuesday announced the company plans to resume operations this summer and will produce a full assortment of iconic Hostess snack products — including Twinkies.
DMV Denies Tesla's Dealership Request
April 24, 2013 8:02 am | News | CommentsVirginia officials have rejected a request from electric car maker Tesla Motors to operate its own dealership at a Tysons Corner mall. State law requires manufacturers to sell cars through a dealer, unless the manufacturer can show that no dealer is available.
RIM Expects Keyboard BlackBerry In U.S. In Late May
April 24, 2013 7:59 am | by Rob Gillies, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe maker of the BlackBerry expects a new version of the phone with a physical keyboard will be available in the U.S. by the end of May. Research In Motion Ltd. said Tuesday that all four major U.S. carriers will carry the Q10. It is available May 1 in Canada.
Apple To Dole Out $100B To Shareholders
April 24, 2013 7:56 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsApple is opening the doors to its bank vault, saying it will distribute $100 billion in cash to its shareholders by the end of 2015. At the same time, the company said revenue for the current quarter could fall from the year before, which would be the first decline in many years.
87 Dead In Bangladesh Garment Factory Collapse
April 24, 2013 7:48 am | by Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsWorkers in the Rana Plaza building said it had developed such severe cracks the day before that it had been reported on local news channels. They hesitated to enter the building Wednesday morning, said Abdur Rahim, who worked in a garment factory on the fifth floor.
