Manufacturing news
April 2006
Crown CEO appointed to President’s Export Council
James F. Dicke II, chairman and CEO of electric lift truck manufacturer Crown Equipment Corporation, has been appointed as a private-sector member to President Bush’s Export Council.
28 Apr 2006 14:30
A&D: General Dynamics, $5.1 million contract for gun barrels
General Dynamics has won a $5.1 million contract from the US Army for production of 25-millimeter gun barrels. The barrels will replace those on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and on various fighter planes.
27 Apr 2006 14:42
CPG: Convenience a dealkiller in Italian households?
Surprisingly, a nation that is on the leading edge of automation shuns the quick and easy approach to housecleaning. This according to a Wall Street Journal cover story.
27 Apr 2006 14:34
Defense: Johnson Outdoors gets $5.5M for military tents
Racine, WI-based Johnson Outdoors has penned two orders with the US Military for $5.5 worth of military tents. million from the U.S. military.
27 Apr 2006 14:48
Abbott expands nutrition division in Asia
Health care giant Abbott plans to build a $280 million state-of-the-art nutritional powder manufacturing facility in Singapore. The Abbott Nutrition International plant will be Abbott’s first major capital investment in Asia and its largest ever nutritional investment.
26 Apr 2006 16:29
A&D: Raytheon pens $57 Million missile contract with UK
Raytheon Co. has signed a $57 million contract to provide the British Royal Navy with missile defense systems for warships.
21 Apr 2006 21:27
Energy: Oil crests $75/gallon
It is a sad milestone - crude oil prices on April 21 crested $75 per barrel, at $75.15.
21 Apr 2006 21:08
Medpharm: Abbott Labs buys Guidant vascular biz for $4.1B
Abbott Laboratories has completed its $4.1 billion purchase of Guidant Corp.'s vascular business from Guidant's new parent, Boston Scientific.
21 Apr 2006 21:17
Automotive: GM posts loss, but still, pretty good news
General Motors Corp. reported on April 20 that its sixth-in-a-row quarterly net loss of $323 million, but, revenue rose 14% to $52.2 billion.
20 Apr 2006 20:43
Global Trade: China president pays calls on Boeing, Microsoft, then President
Chinese President Hu Jintao began his US visit on Tuesday, April 18 in Washington State, by greeting America’s manufacturers, visiting Microsoft and Boeing before jetting to Washington D.C.
20 Apr 2006 21:14
Import/Export: China orders 80 Boeing 737s
Boeing has signed an agreement with a state company in China to supply 80 narrow-body 737 jetliners to Chinese carriers. This brings total orders to 100 for 2006. Boeing sold 120 aircraft to China in 2005, total.
13 Apr 2006 17:45
“Guest workers” in manufacturing – US too dependent to deport?
Just how significant is unauthorized migrant labor to US manufacturing?
13 Apr 2006 16:07
Aerospace: BAE in talks to sell Airbus stake, expand in US
BAE systems, the UK-based defense manufacturer, makes no secret of its plans to expand in the US, and is in talks to sell its 20% stake in France-based Airbus to its majority owner.
11 Apr 2006 21:23
Automotive: Hybrid cars in demand, but in absentia
Gas-electric hybrids are in high demand and low supply, according to J.D. Power & Associates, and to US car dealers. J.D. Power estimates that in 2005 about 212,000 hybrid vehicles were sold, which reached just 1.3 percent of the total market.
11 Apr 2006 0:12
Medpharm: Merck and the significance of a single case
Merck has every intention of appealing the $9 million judgment against the company, awarded to a John McDarby of New Jersey, who claimed Merck’s Vioxx antiarthritic drug caused his heart attack. McDarby is the first plaintiff to prevail against Merck, and Merck is refusing to give an inch lest it lose a mile.
11 Apr 2006 21:50
Consumer electronics: Apple PC a grudging move?
Apple shares surged nearly 10 percent, a day after Apple announced it would distribute its “Boot Camp” software to run the Microsoft Windows operating system. “Boot Camp” is free, and operates on new Mac models. Users may toggle between Apple software or Windows.
07 Apr 2006 16:46
Food & Beverage: Coke to Board, “All or nothin’ compensation.”
Coca-Cola has announced announced a radical compensation plan that will grant directors $175,000 in equity share units per year – provided the company meets its performance targets.
07 Apr 2006 15:52
Alcatel, Lucent merge at last
Telecommunications giants Alcatel SA and Lucent Technologies Inc. passed paper on their merger on Sunday.
03 Apr 2006 14:53
Hurricane-affected companies receive export aid
The Commerce Department’s US Commercial Service announced it will reduce the costs of several of its export programs for US businesses affected by hurricane disasters to encourage exporting and help them recover market share.
03 Apr 2006 22:07