What's Trending: Caterpillar's Tax Problem; Milwaukee Group Wants To Bring Pabst Home

Here's a look at the top trending stories in manufacturing today based on reader feedback: Beer brewers upset over proposed rule; Caterpillar's tax problem; and Milwaukee wants to bring Pabst home.

Apr 4, 2014

Here's a look at the top trending stories in manufacturing today based on reader feedback: Beer brewers upset over proposed rule; Caterpillar's tax problem; and Milwaukee wants to bring Pabst home. Below these stories, check out links to other related news and features at Manufacturing Business Technology.

Beer Brewers In Uproar Over Proposed FDA Rule

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) -- A proposed federal rule that would make it harder for beer breweries to sell leftover grains as animal feed has brewers' blood boiling.

Beer makers tell The Santa Rose Press Democrat that the new rules, if adopted, would force them to dump millions of tons of grains into landfills. Continue reading...

Caterpillar’s Tax Problem

Companies looking for tax loopholes or ways to lower their tax burden is nothing new. Many U.S.-based companies will incorporate overseas for taxes purposes, while others will stockpile offshore profits to avoid the federal taxes the money would be subject to if brought into the U.S.

A March 12, 2014 Bloomberg article states that:

The multinational companies have accumulated $1.95 trillion outside the U.S., up 11.8 percent from a year earlier, according to securities filings from 307 corporations reviewed by Bloomberg News. Three U.S.-based companies — Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Apple Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. — added $37.5 billion, or 18.2 percent of the total increase.

Microsoft Reveals Siri-like Virtual Assistant

NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft is showcasing a new virtual assistant as part of an upcoming update for Windows phones.

The assistant, named Cortana, tries to be chatty like Siri on Apple's iPhones and iPads, while anticipating information you might want, like Google Now on Android devices. Continue reading...

ALSO: See Cortana In Action

Judge Awards University $1.54B In Patent Dispute

NEW YORK (AP) — A court is awarding Carnegie Mellon University $1.54 billion in a patent dispute with chip maker Marvell Technology.

The award is less than Carnegie Mellon sought, however, and Marvell's shares rose 54 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $16.29 in afternoon trading. Continue reading...

Milwaukee Group Wants To Bring Pabst Blue Ribbon Home

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Long before it was known for fine cheddar cheese or the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin was famous for beer, especially the national brands brewed in Milwaukee: Schlitz, Blatz and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The brewing tradition started by Milwaukee's German immigrants in the 1800s endured for more than a century, until industry consolidation in the 1980s and '90s began sending familiar brands to other companies and cities.

Now a small group of Milwaukee residents wants to revive part of that proud history by buying Pabst Brewing Co. from a California executive in hopes of returning the brand to its birthplace, possibly as a city-owned brewery. Continue reading...

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