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The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).
This week's episode is sponsored by BigCommerce, which provides modern ecommerce technology that works with existing systems. ERP, OMS, CRM — no problem. Whatever existing business tools and technologies you use today, BigCommerce can integrate using pre-built, one-click integrations or customize your automation with its APIs. Make the move to BigCommerce today.
Every week, we cover the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:
Gas Leaked from Bad Fitting in Pennsylvania Chocolate Factory Explosion - @4:10
On March 24th, a powerful explosion killed seven people at the R.M. Palmer plant in West Reading, Pennsylvania. This week, NTSB safety investigators traced the blast to a natural gas leak coming from a defective fitting.
Sawmill Owner Refuses Safety Fixes After Young Worker Perishes in Accident - @13:50
On January 11, 2023, a 21-year-old employee, who had been on the job for less than a month, was being trained at the Missouri Mats sawmill in Brashear, Missouri. He was fatally injured when he became ensnared in the vertical edger blades of a Hurdle saw.
Tesla's 1st Electric Pickup Rolls Off Assembly Line - @26:49
Tesla's first Cybertruck rolled off the assembly line this week, almost two years behind schedule.
E-bike Manufacturer VanMoof Declares Bankruptcy - @40:32
Bankruptcy has pressed the brakes on a company that won design awards for its minimalist electric bikes. Though the industry wasn't blindsided as the Amsterdam-based VanMoof struggled to meet demand and fix bugs in the app powering its service.
Russia Seizes Control Over Carlsberg, Danone Despite Impending Sales - @52:00
On Sunday, Russia seized control of a pair of major food manufacturers, including a Danone subsidiary and a local brewer owned by Carlsberg.
In Case You Missed It
Tornado-Ravaged Plant Reopens Nearly Five Years Later - @1:05:09
A tornado hit Marshalltown, Iowa in 2018, causing significant damage to HVACR equipment maker Lennox's manufacturing facility. Last week, Lennox finally finished renovations at the plant.
Biden Administration Launches Cyber Labeling Program - @1:09:36
The effort will put a nationwide cybersecurity certification and labeling program in place to help consumers choose smart devices that are less vulnerable to hacking.
Guacamole Bot Does All the Hard Work - @1:13:35
Chipotle is testing Autocado, an avocado processing prototype that can hold up to 25 pounds of avocados and cut the amount of time it takes to make guacamole in half.
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