The Leading Source for Manufacturing News & Insight
High-Tech Pushes For More In Immigration Bill
May 14, 2013 8:22 am | by Erica Werner, Associated Press | News | CommentsHigh-tech companies looking to bring more skilled workers to the U.S. pushed Monday for more concessions in an immigration bill pending in the Senate. Labor unions said these companies had already obtained enough in the legislation and further changes risked chipping away at protections for U.S. workers.
Nissan Chief Welcomes Yen Fall For Luxury Brand
May 14, 2013 8:08 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsJapanese automakers have been trying to move production to where their vehicles are sold to reduce risks from a strong yen, which lowers the value of their overseas earnings. But the yen has lost more than 20 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar in recent months.
Airbus Sales Drive 1Q Profits At Parent Company
May 14, 2013 7:57 am | News | CommentsThe Airbus parent company also reaffirmed Tuesday its forecast of lifting commercial aircraft deliveries this year to between 600 and 610, as demand from Middle Eastern and Asian carriers to expand their fleets continues to drive sales for one of Europe's largest exporters.
2 Hurt In Explosions, Fire At W.Va. Gas Plant
May 14, 2013 7:48 am | by Pam Ramsey, Associated Press | News | CommentsPutnam County emergency management director Frank Chapman said the explosion involved about 50 tanks of acetylene that were at Airgas waiting to be refilled. What caused the tanks to explode wasn't known. Chad Jones, a firefighter with the Bancroft Volunteer Fire Department, said four cylinders continued to burn Monday evening and that crews were letting them "burn out."
Idaho Spud Giant Bets On Biotech Potatoes
May 14, 2013 7:45 am | by John Miller, Associated Press | News | CommentsA dozen years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds. This month, tuber processing giant J.R. Simplot Co. asked the U.S. government to approve five varieties of biotech potatoes.
GM: Supercomputers To Keep Recalls In Check
May 14, 2013 7:40 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe Detroit automaker, which formally opened the giant data storage center in suburban Warren, Michigan, on Monday, said the changes are examples of how it is moving faster to cut costs and serve its customers better by bringing more computer technology inside the company.
Beechcraft Gets $210M Military Contract
May 14, 2013 7:38 am | News | CommentsA unit of Beechcraft Corp. says production will begin this month in Wichita on 35 training aircraft for the military. Beechcraft Defense Co. on Monday announced the signing of a $210 million contract with the Air Force, under the government's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System procurement contract.
Raising The Bar
May 13, 2013 6:14 pm | by Krystal Gabert, Editor, Food Manufacturing | Articles | CommentsMcNamara estimates that Hearthside currently has over 100 contracts that govern their business, with 80 to 85 percent of the business devoted to contract manufacturing. When acquiring new businesses, in many cases Hearthside also acquired the clients previously contracted with the facilities being purchased.
Glass Door Maker Opening Facility In Kentucky
May 13, 2013 4:52 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA company that makes glass doors will create 100 full-time jobs when it opens its manufacturing plant in western Kentucky. Glass Door Solutions LLC is a new company that plans to lease a facility in Elkton in Todd County with an investment of $3.5 million.
Bobcat Breaks Ground On $20 Million ND Facility
May 13, 2013 2:37 pm | News | CommentsBobcat Co. is investing $20 million in an expansion and renovations in Bismarck, about 3 ½ years after closing its manufacturing plant and laying off nearly 500 workers.The compact construction equipment maker broke ground Monday on a research-and-development facility at its existing site at the Northern Plains Commerce Centre.
AMT: U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders See 30 Pct. March Gain
May 13, 2013 2:21 pm | by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology | News | CommentsMarch U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $507.91 million according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 30.4 percent from February and up 3.2 percent when compared with the total of $491.96 million reported for March 2012.
Judge OKs Class-Action Settlement Over Skechers
May 13, 2013 2:19 pm | by Brett Barrouquere, Associated Press | News | CommentsA federal judge has approved a $40 million class-action settlement between Skechers USA Inc. and consumers who bought toning shoes after ads made unfounded claims that the footwear would help people lose weight and strengthen muscles.
U.S. Business Stockpiles Flat In March, Sales Fall
May 13, 2013 2:15 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe Commerce Department said Monday that business stockpiles showed no increase in March on a seasonally adjusted basis. Businesses hadn't upped their restocking in February, either. Sales fell 1.1 percent in March, offsetting a 1 percent gain in February.
Drug Manufacturer Agrees To $500M Penalty
May 13, 2013 1:33 pm | by Eric Tucker, Associated Press | News | CommentsA subsidiary of an Indian pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay $500 million in fines and civil penalties as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Ranbaxy USA Inc. has admitted to making and selling adulterated generic drugs at two manufacturing sites in India.
Low Profile Cart Eliminates Bending and Dragging
May 13, 2013 1:25 pm | Products | CommentsThe L44 Low Profile Cart from CECOR Inc. has been designed to eliminate bending and moving heavy plastic totes or makeshift bins across the shop floor. The company says the practice or dragging dense loads of metal chips or parts is difficult and can cause back injuries, which makes the cart ideal for efforts to improve worker ergonomics.
Eriez Introduces Pull Test Kit With Digital Scale
May 13, 2013 12:55 pm | Products | CommentsEriez has introduced the Pull Test Kit with an NIST traceable digital scale, which the company says provides easier-to-read and more accurate results. When used properly, the test kit helps users monitor the efficiency of their magnetic separators by measuring the holding force of a magnet, which makes them critical in food processing, packaging and pharmaceutical applications.
Dell Committee Seeks More Info On Icahn Plan
May 13, 2013 12:19 pm | by Tom Murphy, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsIcahn and prominent Dell shareholder Southeastern Asset Management said last week they want to keep Dell Inc. publicly traded and give shareholders $12 in cash or more shares. But a Dell board special committee said in a Monday letter that the proposal comes with many unanswered questions.
Don’t Get Wrapped Too Tight
May 13, 2013 12:15 pm | by Greg Cober, Altra Industrial Motion Product Training Manager | Articles | CommentsThese features make wrap spring clutch/brakes excellent for applications that require the same movement every cycle. Common installations are on labelers, imprinters, die-cutters, staplers and index systems. In each case the unit must move the same distance every cycle.
Landmark $240M EEOC Verdict To Be Slashed To $1.6M
May 13, 2013 12:05 pm | by Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Henry's Turkey Service agreed in legal briefs filed late Friday that under federal law, each plaintiff can only recover $50,000 apiece — a far cry from the $7.5 million a jury awarded each worker earlier this month. On Monday, one advocate for the men called the cap "grossly unfair."
FDA Denies Request To Block Generic Painkiller
May 13, 2013 12:02 pm | News | CommentsIn a surprise move Friday, federal health regulators denied a request by Endo Health Solutions to block generic versions of its painkiller Opana ER, which the company argued are more easily abused than its branded product. Endo's Opana ER is a long-acting narcotic drug used to treat moderate and severe pain.
