The Leading Source for Manufacturing News & Insight
Factory Output Barely Rises In May
June 14, 2013 9:22 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. factories barely increased their output in May after two months of declines, a sign that manufacturing is providing little support for the economy. The Federal Reserve says manufacturing production increased just 0.1 percent in May from April. Output fell 0.4 percent in April and 0.3 percent in March.
Record $11M Fine For Illegal California Gold Mine
June 14, 2013 9:12 am | by Don Thompson, Associated Press | News | CommentsRegulators say the miners have continued to scrape valuable ore from a ridge about 45 miles east of the state capital even though two of the operators also face criminal charges in El Dorado County. Joseph Hardesty and Rick Churches have another court appearance set for Friday.
U.S. Wholesale Prices Rise 0.5 Percent In May
June 14, 2013 8:57 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsA rise in food and gas costs drove a measure of wholesale prices up sharply in May. But outside those volatile categories, inflation was mild.The Labor Department said Friday that the producer price index rose 0.5 percent in May from April.
Lightweight Microsoft Office Available On iPhone
June 14, 2013 8:27 am | by Anick Jesdanun, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsMicrosoft's Office software package is coming to the iPhone for the first time Friday, offering people the ability to read and edit their text documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations at the doctor's office or at a soccer game.
GAO Rejects Beechcraft's Protest Of Lost Contract
June 14, 2013 8:24 am | News | CommentsBoth companies issued statements Thursday announcing the decision by the Government Accountability Office. It's the latest development in a high-stakes competition that has taken nearly three years with legal challenges from both sides.
First Flight Of Airbus A350 Reopens Wide-Body Race
June 14, 2013 8:00 am | by Lori Hinnant, Associated Press | News | CommentsFriday's flight from Toulouse is to last about four hours and marks a key step on the path to full certification. More than half of the A350 — Airbus' first all-new plane in eight years — is made up of lightweight carbon-fiber designed to save on jet fuel, which makes up half the cost of long-haul flights.
Ind. City Sues Over Failed Pharmaceutical Facility
June 14, 2013 7:57 am | News | CommentsGreenwood officials three years ago approved the project incentives, including a $6 million construction loan for 50,000-square-foot plant in a business park east of the city just south of Indianapolis. Elona said then it expected to employ some 70 workers and spend more than $25 million on a planned expansion.
FDA Aims To Prevent Hacking Of Medical Devices
June 14, 2013 7:53 am | News | CommentsThe Food and Drug Administration wants makers of medical devices to design future products to prevent hackers from targeting them and disrupting patient care. A draft of the agency's recommendations — what the FDA calls guidance — was posted on its website Thursday.
New Hostess Owner Prepares To Restart Ga. Plant
June 14, 2013 7:51 am | News | CommentsThe smell of snack cakes could soon return to the Dolly Madison plant in Columbus as Hostess Brands LLC prepares to relaunch production.Hostess Brands LLC spokesman Michael Cramer said workers will be resuming production by July. He said crews are now getting the facility ready to bake goods again, including testing equipment that's been idle since November.
Revlon Paying $850K Penalty To Settle SEC Charges
June 14, 2013 7:47 am | News | CommentsCosmetics company Revlon Inc. has agreed to pay a $850,000 fine to settle federal charges that it withheld key information from shareholders about a "going-private" transaction. Going-private transactions are typically when a company seeks to cash out shareholders so it or a private equity firm can acquire all outstanding shares.
Companion Apps, Open Worlds: 5 Trends From E3
June 14, 2013 7:40 am | by Derrik J. Lang, AP Entertainment Writer | News | CommentsSharing gaming clips will be as easy as hitting a button, especially in the case of the PS4. The controller for Sony's next-gen console features a "share" button, while Microsoft has partnered with the popular streaming service Twitch to allow users to quickly upload clips from the Xbox One.
Kodak Ending Production Of Acetate Film Base
June 14, 2013 7:13 am | News | CommentsEastman Kodak Co. says it's ending in-house production of one of the key components of camera film and cutting 61 jobs. The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports (http://on.rocne.ws/11cAOIs ) that Kodak plans to shut down its acetate base manufacturing operations next week. Light-sensitive chemicals are spread on the acetate base for photographic film.
Gov't: LNG Export Decisions Due By End Of Year
June 13, 2013 4:15 pm | by Matthew Daly, Associated Press | News | CommentsMoniz, who took office last month, told a House energy panel Thursday that he has been reviewing the issue and will soon begin evaluating applications on a case-by-case basis. Asked whether he would make decisions on export applications this year, Moniz said "yes, absolutely," but he did not give a more specific timeframe.
NC Chamber Holds Manufacturing Summit
June 13, 2013 4:10 pm | News | CommentsJohn Bolla is a vice president at GlaxoSmithKline and will be the keynote speaker at the summit, which is being held Thursday in Greensboro. Other speakers include Dale Folwell of the state Division of Employment Security and Preston Howard of the N.C. Manufacturers Alliance.
Measuring The Impact: Quality Metrics And Manufacturing Intelligence
June 13, 2013 4:02 pm | by Steve Wise, VP of Statistical Methods, InfinityQS Intl. | Articles | CommentsBecause quality affects every level of an organization — from the plant floor, to the C-suite, to the customer — it is far more than a cost of doing business; it is a game changer. However, not everyone in your company may understand the true value of quality.
GM Tells Analysts It's Making Progress On Costs
June 13, 2013 3:52 pm | News | CommentsSenior Vice President Mary Barra told a group of financial analysts on Wednesday that GM is saving money by using the same parts on many vehicles. It also has moved parts suppliers closer to factories to cut shipping costs, and it's building more models on the same underpinnings.
Prosecutors Push For Anti-Phone Theft Measures
June 13, 2013 3:40 pm | by Meghan Barr, Associated Press | News | CommentsCiting statistics showing that 1 in 3 robberies nationwide involve the theft of a mobile phone, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the formation of a coalition of law enforcement agencies devoted to stamping out what he called an "epidemic" of smartphone robberies.
FORTE Releases Next-Generation Smart Warehouse Suite
June 13, 2013 3:08 pm | Product Releases | CommentsFORTE has announced the release of its next-generation warehouse control system (WCS) software, the Smart Warehouse Suite. According to the company, the suite has been designed for the complex requirements of highly automated, multi-channel fulfillment operations, and can provide supply chain managers with performance metrics and analytics in an easy-to-use graphical user interface.
'Saving' The Next Generation Of Manufacturing Workers
June 13, 2013 2:40 pm | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Blogs | CommentsWhen it comes to the monumental task of training another generation of manufacturing employees, armed with the high-tech skills that the technology-heavy processes of the future will require, it’s easy to come down hard on the educational system. And yes, there are bad educators, but that shouldn’t detract from those who care and who work hard despite the poor infrastructure to help students get the education they need.
Keeping It Fresh
June 13, 2013 1:57 pm | by Krystal Gabert, Editor, Food Manufacturing | Articles | CommentsThe triple helix. The golden triangle. The Dutch government uses many names to describe its unique three-pronged approach to economic development, but one thing’s for certain: for companies seeking innovation, the system can offer tremendous benefits.
