Production and Operations
U.S. Auto Factories Cutting Back On Summer Downtime
May 22, 2013 9:22 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe three Detroit carmakers traditionally shut factories for 14 days around July 4 to do maintenance and change the machinery for new models. But they don't have that luxury this year. U.S. demand for new cars and trucks has been strong, up 7 percent through April, led by soaring demand for full-size pickup trucks.
Judge Gives Final Approval To A123 Bankruptcy Plan
May 21, 2013 10:04 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA Delaware bankruptcy judge has given final approval to the reorganization plan of failed battery maker A123 Systems Inc., which was the recipient of a $249 million Department of Energy grant. Monday's court hearing resolved minor outstanding issues following the sale of most of the company's assets to the U.S. arm of Wanxiang Group Corp. for nearly $257 million.
1 Millionth Jeep Wrangler Built At Toledo Plant
May 20, 2013 10:07 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAuto workers in Toledo celebrated a milestone this past week. The 1 millionth Jeep Wrangler rolled off the assembly line at Chrysler's assembly plant that opened in 2006. Chrysler marked the occasion Friday with a ceremony at the production line.
U.S. Factory Output Falls In April
May 15, 2013 10:39 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. factories cut back sharply on production in April, as auto companies cranked out fewer cars and most other industries reduced output. The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that manufacturing output dropped 0.4 percent in April from March. It was the third decline in four months and the biggest since October.
China Beefs Up Law To Fight Food Safety Scandals
May 3, 2013 9:21 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Supreme People's Court said Friday that the guidelines will list as crimes specific acts such as the sale of food excessively laced with chemicals or made from animals that have died from disease or unknown causes. China's penal code, which forbids unsafe and poisonous food, does not specify what acts are considered in violation of the law.
Handmade In Detroit
May 2, 2013 12:14 pm | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsWillie J. Holley III and Lakishka Raybon, employees of the watchmaker Shinola, share their pride in creating watches by hand. Heath Carr, CEO of Bedrock Manufacturing, explains why it is important to be in Detroit, a city with a rich manufacturing history.
PLM As Strategic Corporate Asset
April 15, 2013 10:44 am | by Kevin Prendeville, Managing Director, Accenture’s Product Lifecycle Services | Articles | CommentsAn analysis by Accenture has found that large high-tech companies can spend one billion dollars or more per year on Product Lifecycle Management processes. By improving these crucial processes to deliver products to market on time that meet customers’ requirements, these firms can substantially increase revenues and reduce costs.
Kubota Corp. Opens New Plant In Ga.
April 9, 2013 9:40 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGeorgia Gov. Nathan Deal Monday announced the grand opening of the new Kubota Corp. plant in Jefferson — about 20 miles northwest of Athens. Deal says the 522,000 square-foot plant has brought 200 jobs to the city. Officials say the plant will produce Kubota's 30 to 50-horesepower compact tractor models.
Judge Approves Twinkies Sale
March 19, 2013 4:03 pm | by Candice Choi, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsA bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of Twinkies to a pair of investment firms, one of which has said it hopes to have the cakes back on shelves by summer. Hostess Brands Inc. is selling Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and other brands to Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co. for $410 million.
Ericsson, STMicroelectronics To Cut 1,600 Jobs
March 19, 2013 8:56 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsSwedish wireless equipment maker Ericsson and Switzerland's STMicroelectronics say they will lay off up to 1,600 workers globally as part of a plan for splitting up their unprofitable joint venture. STMicroelectronics, one of Europe's largest chipmakers, announced in December that it wanted out of ST-Ericsson as it struggled with a downturn in global demand.
Google Cutting 1,200 More Motorola Jobs
March 8, 2013 8:22 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGoogle says it's cutting an additional 1,200 jobs in its Motorola division as the unprofitable cellphone maker struggles to compete. The latest reductions come on top of the 4,000 Motorola job cuts that Google Inc. announced last year, and they will be in countries including the U.S., China and India.
Replacing Outdated Worm Gearboxes
March 6, 2013 2:53 pm | by MIHow2 | Videos | CommentsMarathon Electric shows us the advantages of using the Hera Max drive system over outdated worm gearboxes to increase efficiency and lower energy costs by up to 40 percent. Worm gearboxes are used in many manufacturing facilities working at efficiency levels that could be costing companies money.
Chrysler To Invest $374M In The U.S.
February 28, 2013 4:18 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsChrysler said it will invest nearly $400M and create 1,250 new jobs at transmission and metal casting factories in the Kokomo, Indiana, area. CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that Chrysler will spend $162M and add 850 new jobs at a former Getrag Transmission plant in nearby Tipton. The company will spend another $212M for equipment and tooling at three other factoring, creating 400 new jobs.
Valerus Partners With Brilex Industries For NE Production Equipment Manufacturing
November 14, 2012 9:59 am | News | CommentsValerus, one of the world’s leading providers of oil and gas handling and processing solutions, has partnered with Brilex Industries, to manufacture oil and gas production equipment for building surface facilities in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays. Valerus will ship its first order of locally-manufactured equipment to customers this month.
Lockheed Martin Ousts New CEO For Relationship
November 13, 2012 9:55 am | News | CommentsLockheed Martin Corp. has ousted its president and future CEO over a relationship with a subordinate. The defense company said Friday that its board of directors asked for and received the resignation of Christopher Kubasik from his role as vice chairman, president and chief operating officer.
Microsoft Says Windows Head Sinofsky Leaving
November 13, 2012 9:52 am | News | CommentsMicrosoft Corp. said Monday that Steven Sinofsky, the president of its Windows and Windows Live operations, is leaving the company. Sinofsky's departure comes just weeks after the Redmond, Wash., software company launched Windows 8, which represented a major overhaul of its ubiquitous computer operating system.
Dennen Steel Opens First Southern U.S. Plant
November 13, 2012 9:45 am | News | CommentsDennen Steel cut the ribbon on its steel stamping facility to serve the Southern USA market. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant cut the ribbon on the new $7 million facility. The new plant represents an initial company investment of $7.5 million and will create 50 new jobs, with plans for expansion.
Skilled Workers In Short Supply
November 12, 2012 6:05 pm | by CBS News | Videos | CommentsMillions of jobs are waiting to be filled, but employers say they can't find qualified workers because of "the skills gap." It's not that the United States doesn't manufacture anymore. That's a myth. Companies are ready to grow, but they can't find the labor to take things to the next level.
Over 600 Jobs Cut With Appliance Parts Plant Closure
November 9, 2012 9:40 am | News | CommentsAbout 620 workers will lose their jobs when a North Carolina factory that makes electrical connectors for household appliances shuts down in 2013. It is one of the state's largest announced layoffs this year. A spokesman for Swiss electronics maker TE Connectivity said Thursday the company will shut a Greensboro factory beginning in January.
CAT To Close Minn. Plant
November 9, 2012 9:29 am | News | CommentsCaterpillar says it plans to close its plant in southern Minnesota and shift work to Wisconsin and Georgia. The plant in the Steele County community of Owatonna (oh-wah-TON'-ah) employs about 100 and will close in March 2013. Caterpillar spokeswoman Rachel Potts says the forest products plant will "ramp down" production between now and the targeted closing date.
Boeing Shakes Up Shrinking Defense Business
November 8, 2012 9:57 am | by Joshua Freed, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBoeing is shaking up its shrinking defense division, putting some executives into new roles and reducing the number of managers. It's also disbanding its Missiles and Unmanned Airborne Systems division, spreading its work out among other Boeing units. Boeing makes military helicopters and planes, in addition to commercial jets used by airlines.
Foxconn Offers To Train Americans On Manufacturing
November 8, 2012 9:53 am | News | CommentsThe head of Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group says he will invite dozens of American engineers to his factories in China to learn about manufacturing. News reports here say Terry Gou told a business meeting on Wednesday that he did not believe President Barack Obama could succeed in moving production lines back to the U.S.
Judge: Kodak Can End Retiree Health Benefits
November 7, 2012 9:50 am | News | CommentsA bankruptcy court judge will allow Eastman Kodak Co. to end retiree health benefits at the end of the year as part of its restructuring. In his ruling Monday, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Allan Gropper called the move fair and reasonable. The company reached an agreement last month with a court-appointed committee of retirees to eliminate its current $1.2 billion liability.
Vestas To Cut 3,000 More Jobs
November 7, 2012 9:45 am | News | CommentsVestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's largest maker of wind turbines, plans to cut 3,000 more jobs. Its announcement Wednesday came alongside figures Wednesday showing that its third-quarter loss almost trebled to €175 million ($224 million) amid stiff competition and a market slowdown.
Sweden's Ericsson Slashes 1,550 Jobs To Cut Costs
November 7, 2012 9:44 am | News | CommentsSwedish wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson says it is slashing 1,550 jobs in Sweden in a bid to lower its costs, with the bulk of the reductions being made within the company's key networks unit. Last month, Ericsson reported a 43 percent drop in third-quarter net profits.
