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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 brought to you by Teledyne Flir. Did you know that up to 30% of your plant's total compressed air capacity is being lost to leaks right now. The air is cheap, but the power isn’t. Join us live February 27th at 11:00 AM EDT to learn how manufacturers are using acoustic cameras to catch these problems in real time. Register now.
Every week, we cover the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:
John Deere's Electric Self-Driving Sprayer Looks Like a Military Vehicle - @4:25
On February 13th, John Deere unveiled what is likely the world's first and only fully electric autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer and it looked more like a military vehicle than a piece of farming equipment.
Workers Get Prison for Role in Corn Mill Explosion - @15:20
Last week, a judge sentenced 50-year-old Derrick Clark, Didion's VP of operations, and 45-year-old Shawn Mesner, the former food safety superintendent, to two years in prison, according to multiple reports.
Cleveland-Cliffs to Shutter Tin Plant After Tariff Ruling - @27:18
Cleveland-Cliffs last week announced plans to close down a tin production facility in West Virginia and lay off 900 workers. The move comes after the International Trade Commission voted not to impose tariffs on tin imports.
Subaru Idles Plants After Worker Crushed to Death - @38:17
Work was stopped temporarily at three Subaru facilities after tragedy struck at an assembly plant in Japan. Earlier this month, a 60-year-old factory worker was killed after a 25-ton mold fell on top of him.
Ford Drama - @48:03
Last week, CEO Jim Farley said the automaker will need to "think carefully" about where it builds future vehicles. Three days later, the UAW threatened to go on strike, and can you guess where?
In Case You Missed It
Stranded Space Factory Finally Gets OK to Return to Earth - @58:03
Eight months is a long time to be stuck in orbit.
Authorities Take Down Hackers That Targeted Manufacturers with Ransomware Attacks - @1:04:25
A joint effort by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.K. National Crime Agency's (NCA) Cyber Division, the FBI, and other international law enforcement partners this week announced a huge win against LockBit, one of the most active ransomware groups in the world.
U.S. Product Recalls Surge - @1:10:17
U.S. product recalls reached a seven-year high in 2023.
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