Manufacturing news
November 2006
GM pledges hybrid SUV that plugs in like a hair dryer
General Motors has pledged to build a gas/electric hybrid car that plugs into a wall socket - a first among automakers.
30 Nov 2006 22:27
QUALCOMM Acquires nPhase, Leading Provider of Machine-to-Machine Solutions
SAN DIEGO — November 16, 2006 — QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading provider of business-to-business wireless enterprise applications and services, today announced that it has acquired Chicago-based nPhase LLC, a leading provider of machine-to-machine solutions that allow enterprises to manage and monitor widely dispersed, fixed machine assets. The acquisition of nPhase, QUALCOMM believes, helps reinforce its leadership position in the evolving machine-to-machine market.
30 Nov 2006 21:20
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29 Nov 2006 19:34
Durable goods down, way down
October was looking good at first,
29 Nov 2006 21:11
Editorial: Manufacturers Being Squeezed
November 29, 2006 - In the United States and elsewhere, structural (non-wage) costs for manufacturers, as a percentage of the total costs, are continuing to rise.
29 Nov 2006 21:54
Supreme Court should reject global warming case, says NAM
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 28, 2006 – Responding today to the Supreme Court case concerning the threat of global warming, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) stressed that individuals and states do not have legal standing to force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate without congressional authorization.
29 Nov 2006 22:14
Underwriters Laboratories announces zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit UL Marks
NORTHBROOK, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 28, 2006 -- Amid rising concerns about the threat that counterfeit products could pose to public safety, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) today renewed the not-for-profit organization's ten-year commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for goods bearing counterfeit UL Marks.
29 Nov 2006 20:36
Automotive: Ford gets $18 billion credit card
This just in - Ford has obtained an $18 billion in cash loans and revolving credit, which it will use in its ambitious restructuring plan.
28 Nov 2006 17:15
Bush to China president: let your people spend
A Bloomberg report has President Bush urging China President Hu Jintao to "unleash the spending power" of Chinese consumers, to boost US exports.
28 Nov 2006 14:06
EIS Fabrico announces rapid prototyping for flexible materials
KENNESAW, GA – EIS Fabrico, an industry leader in engineered conversion of flexible materials, has substantially increased its ability to provide rapid, one-off prototyping for its growing OEM customer base.
28 Nov 2006 19:28
Factory Physics Inc. Launches LeanPhysics™ Support Tools
BRYAN, TEXAS – November 27, 2006 – Factory Physics Inc., a management consulting company that provides a scientific framework, tools and training to optimize performance of manufacturing supply chains, today announced the launch of its proprietary software application LeanPhysicsTM Support Tools.
28 Nov 2006 15:18
High court hears global warming case
The US Supreme Court this week will hear arguments from a dozen states, plus environmental groups and municipalities, on Bush administration environmental policies. Those entities urge that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must enforce higher standards for carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles, in the interest of public health.
28 Nov 2006 14:17
HR: More than Job Demands or Personality, Lack of Organizational Respect Fuels Employee Burnout
Published: November 15, 2006 in Knowledge@Wharton, http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu
When Lakshmi Ramarajan worked for a non-profit organization several years ago, she noticed a high turnover rate among the employees.
28 Nov 2006 20:09
IT: Supply Chain Consultants Wins APICS Technology Partnership Award of Excellence
WILMINGTON, DE – Kudos to Supply Chain Consultants, designer and supplier of the Zemeter Suite of supply chain management (SCM) software products, which has won the APICS (The Association for Operations Management) Technology Partnership Award of Excellence.
28 Nov 2006 16:26
Logistics, Finance: UPS Capital Expanding Role in Small Business Lending
ATLANTA, Nov. 28, 2006 - UPS CapitalSM, the financial services arm of UPS, has achieved status as one of the nation's top lenders under the government-guaranteed 7(a) loan program of the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
28 Nov 2006 15:58
Most reputable companies are mostly manufacturers
The Reputation institute, a NY-based consulting firm, has ranked the world's most reputable companies, as Forbes reports.
28 Nov 2006 14:46
Nissan selects Wherenet active RFID for supply, delivery chains
SANTA CLARA, Calif.-Nov. 28, 2006-WhereNet Corp., the leader of wireless solutions for tracking and managing enterprise assets, announced today that Nissan North America, Inc. is deploying the standards-based WhereNet(r) active RFID, real-time locating system (RTLS) technology to help automate its inbound supply chain and outbound delivery chain.
28 Nov 2006 16:08
Oracle Delivers Oracle® Production Scheduling and
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Nov. 27, 2006 – Oracle today announced the availability of Oracle® Production Scheduling and Oracle Strategic Network Optimization.
28 Nov 2006 14:49
OSI Geospatial Signs US$29 Million Contract to Deliver W-AIS Systems to the U.K. Royal Navy
VANCOUVER, B.C. - November 28, 2006 - OSI Geospatial Inc. announced today that its international systems business has now signed the prime contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to deliver Warship Automated Identification Systems (W-AIS).
28 Nov 2006 13:58
Philanthropy: Hickory Hardware aids Habitat for Humanity
(Nashville, Tennessee, USA: November 27, 2006) Hickory Hardware, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of decorative, functional and industrial hardware, recently participated in Habitat for Humanity's 10-home build in Nashville, Tennessee on November 6-11. A new member of the Nashville community, Hickory Hardware provided volunteers and donated door hardware products for the five-day build.
28 Nov 2006 16:14
Program Promotes Need for Improved Water Infrastructure and Treatment
Livingston, NJ - November 28, 2006 - In a strategic move to educate the market and build brand awareness, J-M Manufacturing (JMM), the world's largest producer of plastic pipe, today announced the launch of an integrated advertising and marketing campaign designed to increase awareness of the quality of America's water systems.
28 Nov 2006 15:03
Toyota's Prius champion dies in plane accident
Nov 27 - A sad note from Toyota Motor Corp., that David W. Hermance, 59, who has spearheaded the Prius hybrid vehicle program, died Saturday.
28 Nov 2006 14:13
Winning Season: UGS Technology Helps Hendrick Motorsports and Driver Jimmie Johnson Win the 2006 NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup Championship
PLANO, Texas – UGS Corp., a leading provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) products and services, today announced driver Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports -- whose cars are developed with the help of UGS® digital product development technology -- won the 2006 NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup Championship. Johnson secured the championship in the final race of the season, the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
28 Nov 2006 15:49
A&D: Rivals predict 20-year demand surge for airliners
Both Boeing and Airbus expect a 20-year surge in demand for commercial airliners, expecting to jointly sell about $2.6 trillion.
27 Nov 2006 14:26
ARC Research: Software market for lean, Six Sigma to nearly double
Earlier this month ARC Advisory Group released some compelling figures regarding IT for lean and continous improvement (CI). ARC tracked the market for CI systems, including total hardware, software and services revenues, at more than $200 million in 2005.
27 Nov 2006 18:05
Auto: GM stakeholder Kerkorian to cut investment
More tough news for automaker GM, as top investor Kirk Kerkorial plans to sell one quarter of his stock, about 14 million shares.
27 Nov 2006 14:39
Congress turnover hard on medpharm?
Forbes speculates that the Democratic election coup will stymie medpharm profits, long term.
27 Nov 2006 13:24
CPG, Logistics:
Washington, DC, November 26, 2006—As the Black Friday weekend comes to a close, online retailers are gearing up for Cyber Monday, the ceremonial kickoff to the online holiday shopping season. According to a Shop.org survey, conducted this weekend by BIGresearch, 60.7 million consumers plan to shop online from home or at work tomorrow in what is expected to be one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.
27 Nov 2006 14:46
IBM study: "Innovate, emulate, or fall by the wayside."
Thomas Paine, observing that some of his fellow citizens were wavering in their dedication to the newly founded United States of America, exhorted them to "lead, follow, or get out of the way."
27 Nov 2006 13:15
Medpharm: Fed judge blocks Vioxx class-action suits
US District Court Judge Eldon Fallon has ruled against a mega-suit against Merck.
27 Nov 2006 14:33
Russian gas runs low
Gazprom, Russia's state-owned natural gas producer, is proving far less rich in resources than it has claimed.
27 Nov 2006 14:16
Automotive: China ramping up exports tenfold
As China's People's Daily Online reports, China will continue to expand auto exports, tenfold by estimates, and strengthen its technology innovation and brand building. That according to Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan.
22 Nov 2006 17:09
Environment: DC likely to mandate green construction
The City Council in Washington DC is likely to pass a law in December that requires green certification for new buildings over 50,000 square feet, writes the Washington Post.
22 Nov 2006 15:12
Unilever’s Michael Polk: It’s all about “dislocating ideas”
(First published Nov. 15 in Knowledge @ Wharton http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu)
To drive home the subject of his speech at the recent third annual Wharton Marketing Conference, Michael Polk, president of Unilever United States, flashed up a definition straight from the dictionary: 'Innovation: a new idea or method; a change in something established.' "It's not invention.... It's innovation" that is at the heart of successful marketing campaigns, Polk said. It's all about coming up with "dislocating ideas" that "disrupt the norm in a category."
22 Nov 2006 16:44
Big Ass way to sell
Lexington, Ky. - November 20, 2006
Customer service-focused companies may be guided by a “give them what they want” mentality, says Lexington, Ky.-based Big Ass Fans, and the company asked its customers to redesign the industrial fan manufacturer’s Web site.
21 Nov 2006 19:27
Chevron’s Lubricants University Introduces New Courses on Automotive and Industrial Greases
SAN RAMON, CALIF., November 20, 2006 – Chevron’s Lubricants University, an educational website, is introducing two new courses, “Automotive Grease” and “Industrial Grease,” as part of its course catalog. The two modules are self-study, web-based programs designed for maintenance professionals and industrial end users interested in expanding their knowledge of proper grease use and formulations.
21 Nov 2006 16:32
From lean tools to lean management
Following, a guest editorial from Founder and Chairman Jim Womack of the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI).
I’ve been thinking about the challenge of lean transformation for 27 years now, since I started studying Toyota as part of the MIT global automotive project in 1979. That’s a long time and during this period I’ve watched lean thinking progress through a series of stages.
21 Nov 2006 18:00
Lean leadership insights, "Conflicting Pairs"
(Following a guest editorial from Andy Carlino, a partner at Lean Learning Center of Novi, MI.)
21 Nov 2006 15:28
MAHLE Powertrain Offers SULEV Vehicle Emissions Test Capability
NOVI, Mich., Oct. 25, 2006 – MAHLE Powertrain LLC today announced that, to meet increased customer demand, the company has added super ultra-low emissions vehicle (SULEV) testing capabilities to its service offering. The testing services are available immediately through the company’s Novi, Mich., facility.
21 Nov 2006 15:18
Qualcomm Acquires nPhase, provider of machine to machine solutions
21 November -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, a leading provider of business-to-business wireless enterprise applications and services, today announced that it has acquired Chicago-based nPhase LLC, a leading provider of machine-to-machine solutions that allow enterprises to manage and monitor widely dispersed, fixed machine assets. The acquisition of nPhase, according to QUALCOMM. reinforces its leadership position in the evolving machine-to-machine market.
21 Nov 2006 15:58
SME program attracts youth to technology, manufacturing
CHARLESTON, S.C. –South Carolina middle school students will soon benefit from a new partnership between The Silver Crescent Foundation, a South Carolina based foundation dedicated to helping students explore career opportunities in engineering and technology, Project Lead the Way® (PLTW) and The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation.
21 Nov 2006 16:22
Why lean companies stay fat: lean manufacturing for high performance
A guest editorial from Paul Loftus, a managing partner of Accenture, Inc.
Lean manufacturing initiatives, much like diets, are designed to trim fat and make you fitter, faster and more competitive – in short, a high performer. The overall goal is the lasting improvement in company profitability that underpins high performance. And it’s achieved by fighting flab of all sorts, from excess inventory to over-extended equipment set-up times. The benefits, moreover, can be dramatic.
21 Nov 2006 17:23
Autodesk sponsors COFES India Summit
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov. 17, 2006 — Autodesk, Inc. today announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Congress on the Future of Engineering Software (COFES) India Summit hosted by Cyon Research Corporation. The historic event will assemble more than 60 of the world’s CAD industry leaders in New Delhi November 17-18, 2006.
20 Nov 2006 20:11
Brickmaker goes live with landfill-fueled plant
Montgomery, AL, November 20, 2006 – Landfill gas is being used to fuel the new Jenkins Brick manufacturing facility in St. Clair County, Ala. This is Jenkins’ second plant to utilize landfill gas as a fuel.
20 Nov 2006 20:07
CPG & Logistics: One week till "Cyber Monday"
Washington, DC, November 20, 2006—The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a strong "Cyber Monday." Cyber Monday is the ceremonial kickoff to the online holiday shopping season, and is the first Monday after Thanksgiving.
20 Nov 2006 14:07
Energizer Selects ToolsGroup’s DPM Inventory Software
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ToolsGroup, a global provider of inventory optimization solutions, announced today that Energizer (NYSE: ENR), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of batteries, will implement ToolsGroup DPM inventory software.
20 Nov 2006 16:11
Manufacturers and the "Year of the Deal"
Forbes magazine is calling 2006 "The Year of the Deal," observing that 2006 has been the biggest year ever for global mergers and acquisitions. That owed largely to private equity deals, and in communications, web and banking, chiefly. But a few manufacturers make the list as well.
20 Nov 2006 14:31
PWC: Outlook good for CPG, bad for energy costs
NEW YORK, November 15, 2006 – Nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumer products companies (64 percent) are optimistic about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, up from 61 percent last quarter, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Retail & Consumer Industry Practice’s Consumer Products Barometer, released today.
20 Nov 2006 19:20
Schneider National Receives Outstanding Service Award from DuPont Logistics
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Nov. 20, 2006 - Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, today announced it has received an Outstanding Service award from DuPont Logistics. Schneider was among 12 carriers recognized at the annual DuPont Carrier Safety conference in Wilmington, Del., this year.
20 Nov 2006 13:55
Sterling Commerce to acquire Comergent Technologies, Inc.
DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2006 — In a move that the company hopes will extend Sterling’s supply chain leadership in manufacturing, retail, high-tech, automotive and aerospace.
20 Nov 2006 19:43
UGS’ Teamcenter® Receives Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine’s 2006 Technology Innovation Award
PLANO, Texas – UGS Corp., a global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced it is a winner of Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine’s 2006 Technology Innovation Award.
20 Nov 2006 15:59
Who really uses RFID?
(Following is a guest editorial from Louis Sirico and Andy Kowl of RFID Switchboard, www.rfidsb.com).
There seems to be confusion and disagreement about whether companies are really implementing RFID technology, or whether it is just so much hype. Questions like, “Is it just the suppliers to Wal-Mart or Metro stores that are being forced to use RFID?” and “Why would you use RFID if you did not have to?” are being asked.
20 Nov 2006 19:48
WIPO hosts colloquium on "standards and patents"
On Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is hosting the second in a series of colloquia on patents that is scheduled to take place between October 2006 and September 2007 at its headquarters in Geneva. The second colloquium is on the subject of "Standards and Patents."
20 Nov 2006 13:57
World’s largest battery energy storage company finishes third full year
The world’s most powerful battery energy storage system (BESS) has completed its third year in operation. Operated since 2003 by Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) located in Fairbanks, Alaska, the BESS has prevented more than 734,000 customer electrical outages while responding to 163 emergency ‘events.’ GVEA serves 90,000 Alaskan residents spread over 2,000 square miles.
20 Nov 2006 20:17
Xterprise 12-month study reveals poor data capture wastes reusable assets
Dallas, TX – November 17, 2006 − Xterprise Incorporated, a leading global provider of RFID-enabled supply chain solutions, announced today it has completed a twelve-month evaluation of the Reusable Transport Item (RTI) market that identifies the two most important issues in asset management today as the lack of good data capture processes and the deficiency of management systems for reusable assets in supply chains.
20 Nov 2006 14:15
Adobe Delivers New Cross-Format Rights Management Solution for More Secure Documents
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Nov. 15, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today introduced Adobe® LiveCycle® Policy Server 7.2, an enterprise rights management (ERM) solution for protecting and controlling documents throughout their entire life cycle, from creation, through distribution and collaboration, to archiving and destruction.
17 Nov 2006 21:26
Adobe Delivers New Hosted Service for Document Protection and Control Inside and Outside the Firewall
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Nov. 15, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today introduced Adobe® Document Center, a new hosted service that enables knowledge workers to better protect, share and track the usage of Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel documents as part of day-to-day communications and collaboration. This new, easy-to-use, web-based service gives business professionals the power to grant and dynamically revoke access to documents distributed inside or outside the firewall, as well as audit actions such as opening, adding comments, or printing those documents.
17 Nov 2006 22:24
Logistics, HR: Schneider premier employer for GIs
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Nov. 15, 2006 — Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, today announced that it has been ranked 17th on G.I. Jobs' annual list of Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers.
17 Nov 2006 21:29
MCA & CACI provide industry solution to military readiness
PHILADELPHIA (November 16, 2006) — MCA Solutions and CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) report a successful conclusion to the first phase of the Naval Logistics Readiness Research Center (NLRRC) initiative. This initial phase – designed to solve the complex planning problems of the military service supply chain – shows clear and measurable results through the use of MCA’s Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solution.
17 Nov 2006 21:07
NAM survey indicates growth for small manufacturers
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 16, 2006 – A National Association of Manufacturers’ 2006 Small Manufacturers Operating Survey showed respondents anticipate solid growth in the months ahead from strong sales and increases in exports and capital investment.
17 Nov 2006 21:36
ASSE past pres: safety is a social, managerial, organizational responsiblility
DES PLAINES, IL (November 10, 2006) – During the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) November 8 technical conference call on achieving safety and health excellence, facilitator and ASSE Professional Member and Past-President Samuel J. Gualardo MA, CSP, noted that safety is a basic social, managerial and organizational responsibility and not just a cost of doing business.
13 Nov 2006 22:44
HR Editorial: Avoiding the "Jelly Belly" jam without getting fired
Sure you’d like your employees to drop a few pounds. It’s no secret that an overweight work force is a liability, thanks to the skyrocketing health insurance costs, increased absences, and lower productivity that come with excess pounds.
13 Nov 2006 21:12
Intermec celebrates 40 years
EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 10, 2006 - as the greeting card says, "Lordy Lordy, Guess Who's 40?" Intermec Inc., which today commemorated its 40th anniversary with a series of celebrations at its offices around the world culminating with festivities at its worldwide headquarters here led by President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Winter.
13 Nov 2006 22:57
INVENSYS provides advanced training center for Dow Corning operators
FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA - November 13, 2006 - Dow Corning, the global manufacturer of silicon-based materials, is using a dynamic simulator, built and implemented by Invensys Process Systems, to train operators at its Barry, South Wales production facility in the UK. It is anticipated that use of the simulator will result in significant savings in training and manpower costs, enhanced plant safety and increased productivity.
13 Nov 2006 21:02
IT: PRTM Management Consultants and UGS Form Alliance to Increase Strategic Impact of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
PLANO, Texas and WALTHAM, Mass. – UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, and PRTM, a leading global management consulting firm, today announced that PRTM has joined the UGS Partner Program as a Consulting Alliance Partner.
13 Nov 2006 21:35
IT: PTC launches Arbortext content manager
NEEDHAM, MA. – November 13, 2006 - PTC today announced the availability of Arbortext Content Manager to expand the PTC Dynamic Publishing System.
13 Nov 2006 21:28
Laser Design Inc. Expands Seattle Technology Office
MINNEAPOLIS, MN; November 10, 2006 -- Laser Design Inc., a leading manufacturer of 3D laser scanning systems based in Minneapolis, announced the expansion of its Seattle technology office which is responsible for laser probe manufacturing, research and development, software engineering, and worldwide customer support. According to Bob Thoreson, Vice President of Engineering, "Having more manpower and resources in our Seattle office greatly improves the efficiency of our operation by bringing the product support function closer to the product developers."
13 Nov 2006 22:46
Schneider National's Mexico Express Intermodal Service Provides Unprecedented Access to Mexico's Prime Industrial Center
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Nov. 13, 2006 - Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, introduced a new Intermodal solution — Mexico Express — in June to deliver greater capacity and faster service between the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and Mexico.
13 Nov 2006 19:31
WIPO to host global anti-counterfeiting and piracy meeting
The Third Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy, convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), will be held in Geneva on January 30 and 31, 2007 under the banner "Shared Challenges-Common Goals."
13 Nov 2006 21:37
Cruise Car releases two more electric vehicle models
Cruise Car, Inc., of Sarasota, FL, has added two new solar-powered models to its line of electric vehicles, this time aiming for style, over the utility of its earlier models.
10 Nov 2006 21:48
Guest Editorial: RFID Exotica
At IDTechEx, when we teach Radio Frequency Identification RFID, we talk of it being a ubiquitous enabling technology like the wheel or paper. Some people consider that to be rather far fetched. After all, wheels extend from prayer wheels, steering wheels and wheels of fortune to aircraft wheels and microscopic wheels in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems MEMS. They are everywhere, as is paper because that appears as anything from art to toilet paper, packaging, books and origami.
10 Nov 2006 14:06
Baldor To Acquire the Power Systems Business of Rockwell Automation, Inc.
November 7, 2006 -- Baldor Electric Company markets, designs, and manufactures industrial electric motors, drives and generators and is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Today Baldor announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Reliance Electric Company and certain of its affiliated companies (the “Power Systems business”) of Rockwell Automation, Inc.
09 Nov 2006 22:15
Boeing Awarded U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue Contract
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 09, 2006 -- The Boeing Company's HH-47 helicopter has been selected by the U.S. Air Force as the winner of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) program competition.
09 Nov 2006 23:13
Energy - huge market potential in China
Energy thinktank Energy Business Reports has released its findings on the China market potential. As we reported earlier today, China as a developing nation has not curbed its GHG emissions at all - but as Energy Business Reports finds, it is poised to offset the balance of the global market.
09 Nov 2006 22:51
Health and Safety: Simmons Bedding factory takes top Calif. honors
(ATLANTA and SAN LEANDRO, CALIF. – November 9, 2006) – Simmons Bedding Company’s manufacturing facility in San Leandro, Calif. has been honored with the Golden Gate Partnership Recognition by the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service, a division of California’s Department of Industrial Relations. The award celebrates the plant’s commitment to creating a safe and healthy work environment as well as its utilization of a specific injury and illness prevention program.
09 Nov 2006 15:30
IFS forms food & bev council
LINKÖPING, Sweden, Nov. 9, 2006 - Enterprise software giant IFS has announced it is forming an advisory council of global experts, called the Food and Beverage Advisory Council (FABAC).
09 Nov 2006 13:39
Medpharm: 3M bows out, sticks to core business
3M will divide its puzzling pharmaceutical side venture three ways among four buyers, for a total sale of $2.1 billion.
09 Nov 2006 23:10
NY Times: China will surpass US in emissions, 2009
as The New York Times reports, the International Energy Agency has concluded that China will surpass the US in greenhouse gas emissions (linked to global warming) as of 2009.
09 Nov 2006 13:56
Trade Deficit: record $4.7 billion rally in September
9 Nov, Washington DC -- Seems we narrowed the trade deficit in September, thanks largely to manufacturers. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that total September exports of $123.2 billion and imports of $187.5 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $64.3 billion, $4.7 billion less than the $69.0 billion in August, revised.
09 Nov 2006 15:46
US import and export prices
The U.S. Import Price Index declined 2.0 percent for the second consecutive month in October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today. The decrease was again led by declining petroleum prices, which fell 8.3 percent in October following a decrease of 9.7 percent in September. Export prices fell 0.4 percent in October, after declining by the same amount the previous month.
09 Nov 2006 15:55
Enforcing Processes an Important Element in Manufacturing Success
(Following is a guest editorial from Greg DeLaere, CEO of VIA Information Tools, Inc., a commercial application software provider and professional services consultancy.)
For many years our industry has been faced with the challenge of globalization. But it has also been faced with the challenge of enforcing processes.
08 Nov 2006 23:09
FedEx cancels Airbus orders
The hard times continue for Airbus. FedEx has cancelled an order for 10 Airbus A380 jumbo jets, due for delivery in 2008, and instead will purchase 15 777s from Boeing.
08 Nov 2006 17:05
NAM sees opportunity in political upheaval
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 8, 2006 – “Tuesday’s election upheaval should be seen not as a radical shift to the political left, but rather an expression of widespread frustration,” said Jay Timmons, Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations of the National Association of Manufacturers. “I believe Rep. Nancy Pelosi will assume the House Speaker’s gavel with a determination to deliver results for the American people to enable her party to govern beyond two years. To do that, I anticipate she and her leadership team will bring nontraditional allies together to forge consensus on key issues, and that will include the business community.”
08 Nov 2006 20:48
Public relations: Asthma sufferers picket Nissan
Nov. 7 - Asthma sufferers gathered outside Nissan Motor's Tokyo headquarters, demanding compensation for their suffering which, they claim, was caused by diesel gas fumes.
08 Nov 2006 16:58
UGS NX Software Helps KB Racing Win Fourth Consecutive National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Championship
PLANO, Texas – UGS Corp., a leading provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) products and services, today announced KB Racing, which developed its cars using UGS® digital product development technology, has won the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Championship for the fourth straight year.
08 Nov 2006 13:57
Design: The art of custom manufacturing
Cranston, RI -- It isn't often that manufacturers meet artists, but perhaps they should more often. A new 'living system' sculpture was recently installed in the University City/Big Bend Metro Station in St. Louis, MO. Entitled, "Linear Accelerator," and created by artist Brower Hatcher and his Mid-Ocean Studio, the sculpture consists of two, 50-foot by 30-inch tapered tubular forms suspended beneath the arches of the station platform.
07 Nov 2006 16:58
Environment: Global Warming Reaches the Supreme Court
(Guest editorial & analysis by Attorney James P. Walsh of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP)
Nov. 6 - The decision of the Supreme Court to grant certiorari review of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. EPA, 415 F.3d 50 (D.C.Cir.2005) came as a surprise to many observers, but it probably should not have. The central question raised in that litigation is whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act.
07 Nov 2006 20:50
HP Closes Landmark Mercury Acquisition; Companies Unite to Lead in Business Technology Optimization Software
PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 7, 2006 – HP today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Mercury Interactive Corp., the largest software acquisition in HP’s history. The deal integrates Mercury’s leading application management and delivery and IT governance capabilities with HP’s broad portfolio of management solutions to create a new HP Software organization that will lead the industry in business technology optimization (BTO).
07 Nov 2006 20:52
Pavilion Technologies Announces 2006-2007 Customer Advisory Council
AUSTIN, Texas-November 6, 2006- Pavilion Technologies, a world leader in model-based software, today announced the members of its 2006-2007 Customer Advisory Council. Formed in 2004, the council serves as an advisory group of leading manufacturing customers tasked with providing feedback and strategic guidance on Pavilion's industry solutions and product development activities.
07 Nov 2006 20:45
Pavilion Technologies Announces 2006-2007 Customer Advisory Council
AUSTIN, Texas-November 6, 2006- Pavilion Technologies, a world leader in model-based software, today announced the members of its 2006-2007 Customer Advisory Council. Formed in 2004, the council serves as an advisory group of leading manufacturing customers tasked with providing feedback and strategic guidance on Pavilion's industry solutions and product development activities.
07 Nov 2006 20:45
A +27% Increase in Yield? That’s Intelligent Manufacturing, says Aberdeen Group report
Manufacturing execution systems (MES) are supposed to integrate the plant with enterprise-level systems such as ERP, but the Aberdeen Group reports that best-in-class manufacturers add a layer of manufacturing intelligence or MI. This according to their just-released “Manufacturing Intelligence Benchmark Report.”
06 Nov 2006 22:33
Aerospace: Backlogs up, Airbus outdelivers Boeing, but Boeing stronger than ever
The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC)
has release its large-aircraft production data - largely a Boeing versus Airbus analysis.
06 Nov 2006 17:50
Guest editorial: Electrical testing in the workplace
The safety of everyday electrical devices is widely taken for granted. All too often though, the lax approach to proper electrical safety testing can result in tragedy. For example, back in 2005 a woman suffered a fatal electrical shock in a restaurant washroom in England after using the hand dryer. It was subsequently determined that the dryer was faulty, a preventable situation that should have been detected by the eatery’s employees.
06 Nov 2006 17:58
IT: Consumerize corporate procurement, and corporations will procure more
Procurement application vendor Ketera took the time to walk us through its Ketera Procurement solution, which VP of Products Pravin Kumar says consumerizes corporate procurement.
06 Nov 2006 23:05
Microsoft Enterprise IT: Novell, Microsoft
WALTHAM, Mass.—02 Nov 2006—Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. today announced a set of broad business and technical collaboration agreements to build, market and support a series of new solutions to make Novell and Microsoft® products work better together. The two companies also announced an agreement to provide each other’s customers with patent coverage for their respective products. These agreements will be in place until at least 2012. Under this new model, customers will realize unprecedented choice and flexibility through improved interoperability and manageability between Windows® and Linux.
06 Nov 2006 17:42
White Energy acquires 100 million gallon Greenfield Ethanol Project in Texas Panhandle from Scoular Company
DALLAS – (November 2, 2006) – Dallas-based White Energy Holding Company, LLC, an emerging leader in U.S. ethanol production, announced today that it has acquired a 100-million-gallon-per-year (“MGPY”) greenfield ethanol project from The Scoular Company (“Scoular”), a nationwide agricultural services company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The plant, located in Plainview, Texas, will be a “near twin” of White Energy’s other ethanol facility under construction in Hereford, Texas. The Plainview facility is fully permitted and construction is underway, with completion targeted for early 2008.
06 Nov 2006 20:25
ASQ fixes time & place for 2007 cSix Sigma con
Milwaukee, Wis., October 27, 2007 – Quality professionals from across the globe will gather at the seventh annual American Society for Quality (ASQ) Six Sigma Conference, February 12-13, 2007, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
02 Nov 2006 16:19
Energy: Emcor branches into services, land several contracts
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT, November 2, 2006 – EMCOR Energy Services, a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. (a Fortune 500® leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses globally), has begun work on several new energy-related projects and long term assignments for clients in both the private and public sector.
02 Nov 2006 16:44
Energy: IEA advocates nuclear power
The International Energy Agency will endorse nuclear power plants, and urge governments worldwide to expedite their building. That according to the Financial Times.
02 Nov 2006 17:33
HR: How much do "jelly bellies" cost your enterprise?
About $13 billion per year, including $8 billion for added health insurance, $2.4 billion for paid sick leave, $1.8 billion for life insurance and $1 billion for disability insurance. That according to a report from Knowledge@Wharton, the online business journal of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
02 Nov 2006 17:58
Innovation: Advanced Technology Services, Inc. announces program to educate future manufacturers
PEORIA, Ill. (November 1, 2006) — ATS: Advanced Technology Services, Inc., an industry leader in managed services for production equipment maintenance, industrial parts repair and IT infrastructure support for manufacturers, today announced the establishment of The Blaudow - ATS Program for Technical Leadership In Manufacturing.
02 Nov 2006 17:37
Supply chain: ARC Automotive implements collaborative inventory, supply management
San Mateo, CA, October 31, 2006 - ARC Automotive, Inc., a global supplier of automotive airbag inflators, has signed an agreement to use TradeBeam’s Collaborative Inventory Management solution i-Supply, in an effort to improve the company’s inventory management and drive bottom line results.
02 Nov 2006 15:32
Airbus: all about CAD?
IT: Economists and analysts believe out-of-date software crippled Airbus
01 Nov 2006 19:44
Environmental Protection Agency presents award to APL Logistics
Dallas, Nov. 1, 2006 – APL Logistics has received the SmartWay Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its role in reducing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases in freight transport activities. The award was presented Oct. 30, at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference in Dallas.
01 Nov 2006 20:39
Few go 100% Six Sigma
QUALITY: Industry off the mark with Six Sigma? Or wary of overkill?
01 Nov 2006 19:54
GE lights New Orleans schools
PHLANTHROPY: GE keeps New Orleans schools on schedule
01 Nov 2006 19:52
Hi-tech inventories way up
Inventories: Wishful thinking behind the hi-tech stockpile?
01 Nov 2006 19:56
HP: People still have to print
LEADERSHIP: HP has troubles, but shareholder anger isn’t one of them
01 Nov 2006 19:46
HR: Slackers at a glance
Macedon, NY – October 31, 2006 – There are people at every workplace who seem to get sick most often on Mondays and Fridays. There are usually disputes of some kind about who gets the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas week off. Managers struggle with the long-term question of what kind of manpower will they have six months from now.
01 Nov 2006 22:31
Kronos’ workforce think tank
R&D: Work-force Institute to focus on skills, crisis, equity
01 Nov 2006 19:55
Logistics: Schneider National to Close Evergreen, Ala., Facility
GREEN BAY, Wis., and EVERGREEN, Ala. - Nov. 1, 2006 - Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, today announced it will close its Operating Center (company-owned truck stop) in Evergreen, Ala., effective Dec. 31, 2006. The company is closing the facility to streamline operations, manage costs and optimize its field support network nationwide.
01 Nov 2006 20:56
Trade deficit up, but wait
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
01 Nov 2006 19:53