The Leading Source for Manufacturing News & Insight
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.
1 Dead, At Least 30 Hurt In La. Plant Explosion
June 13, 2013 1:44 pm | by Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press | News | CommentsState police say at least one person was killed and at least 30 were injured in an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana. State police Capt. Doug Cain said a hazardous material crew going through the plant in Geismar after the Thursday morning explosion found one person dead.
GE, UK To Work Together On Research
June 13, 2013 12:07 pm | News | CommentsThe University of Kentucky has reached an agreement with GE Appliances to collaborate on research aimed at producing innovations in the appliances business. UK President Eli Capilouto joined GE Appliances executives to announce the collaboration Thursday at GE's Appliance Park in Louisville.
U.S. Unemployment Benefit Applications Fall
June 13, 2013 11:58 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 334,000, a decline that suggests steady job gains will endure. The less volatile four-week average decreased 7,250 to 345,250, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Businesses Increased Stockpiles In April
June 13, 2013 11:56 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. businesses increased their stockpiles in April but their sales fell for a second straight month, held back by a decline in orders to American factories. The Commerce Department said Thursday that business stockpiles rose 0.3 percent in April from March.
Court: Human Genes Can't Be Patented
June 13, 2013 11:54 am | by Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Supreme Court ruled Thursday that companies cannot patent parts of naturally-occurring human genes, a decision with the potential to profoundly affect the emerging and lucrative medical and biotechnology industries. The high court's unanimous judgment reverses three decades of patent awards by government officials.
Leveraging Sales Force Automation In Manufacturing
June 13, 2013 10:12 am | by Bob Barr, Senior Vice President, Acquity Group | Articles | CommentsSales force automation streamlines the sales process, equipping manufacturers with the tools they need to create more effective and more efficient sales programs. But to fully leverage the benefits of sales force automation, manufacturers need to understand how to properly apply these tools across their customer bases.
3-D TV Falls Flat
June 13, 2013 10:00 am | by Peter Svensson and Ryan Nakashima, AP Technology Writers | News | CommentsLast year, an estimated 6 percent of TVs in the U.S. were able to show 3-D programming, according to the most recent data from research firm IHS Screen Digest. Even homes that have 3-D TVs don't appear to be using them very much, said IHS analyst Sweta Dash. The lack of programming and the discomfort of having to wear special glasses could be contributing to the problem, she said.
Retail Sales Jump 0.6 Percent In May
June 13, 2013 9:52 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsAmericans stepped up purchases at retail businesses in May, spending more on cars, home improvements and sporting goods. The gain shows consumers remain resilient despite higher taxes and could drive faster growth later this year. The Commerce Department said retail sales increased 0.6 percent in May from April.
ZW3D Supports And Creates Opportunity For Next-Gen Education
June 13, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsZWSOFT, a leading supplier of 2D and 3D CAD/CAM solutions for the AEC and MCAD industries, is demonstrating their caring for education aiming at improving the learning environments. ZW3D, their cost-effective CAD/CAM solution, has been applied in many high schools, universities and educational institutions, helping the next generation become capable of and interested in 3D modeling, molding and machining design.
Honda Recalling 104,500 Cars To Fix Brakes
June 13, 2013 8:39 am | News | CommentsHonda is recalling 104,500 cars in 49 countries worldwide to fix problems with the brakes. In the U.S., the recall covers more than 18,000 Acura RSX compact cars from 2006 and the Honda S2000 sports car from the 2006 and 2007 model years.
Networks Of Responsibility: The Philadelphia Building Collapse
June 13, 2013 8:28 am | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Articles | CommentsWhile properly built brick buildings can reach heights of fifty feet or more and last for thousands of years, any substantial sideways force on the structure cracks the mortared joints between the bricks and turns the thing into a big pile of loose bricks, which do unpredictable things.
GM's Opel Unit To Start Building Cars In Belarus
June 13, 2013 8:20 am | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co.'s European Opel unit says it will start assembling cars for Russia and other eastern markets in Belarus next year. Germany-based Opel said GM signed an agreement Thursday to start building its Corsa model at facilities owned by partner Unison in Belarus.
Pfizer Settles Protonix Patent Case For $2.15B
June 13, 2013 8:06 am | News | CommentsTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., one of the world's largest generic drugmakers, will pay $1.6 billion, while India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. will pay $550 million for selling their versions of Protonix before the patent protecting the drug expired.
U.S. Budget Deficit Widens In May
June 13, 2013 8:04 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe government says the U.S. budget deficit widened in May by $139 billion, but the annual deficit stayed on track to finish below $1 trillion for the first time since 2008. With the May increase, the deficit through the first eight months of this budget year totaled $626 billion.
