Manufacturing news
December 2006
Ingersoll Rand Releases New SLB Silver Series Lever Hoists
Annandale, N.J. — December 22, 2006 — Ingersoll Rand now offers its SLB Silver Series lever hoists, featuring a lighter weight construction and better impact resistance for increased durability and reliability. The new lever hoists, says Ingersoll Rand, are ideal for a variety of material handling and industrial applications, including maintenance and repairs, utilities, oil refineries, steel mills and foundries, shipbuilding and general construction.
22 Dec 2006 15:50
Aberdeen Group: Remote product service a differentiator
The Aberdeen Group has released a compelling report on "remote product service," which the think tank sees as a strong differentiator where it exists, also, an unavoidable customer demand. Following their executive summary.
21 Dec 2006 13:43
ARC Announces Worldwide Total Process Automation Market to Reach Nearly $79 Billion
Dedham, Massachusetts; December 21, 2006: Manufacturing companies continue to increase investments in capital expenditures for automation equipment as they clearly recognize the role of automation in the fierce global market. As a result, the worldwide market for total process automa-tion will grow robustly, with ARC expecting a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% over the next five years. The market was nearly $58 billion in 2005 and is forecasted to reach nearly $79 billion in 2010, accord-ing to a new ARC Advisory Group study.
21 Dec 2006 14:30
Arcelor Mittal beacheads into Mexico
Arcelor Mittal will buy Mexican steel producer Sicartsa for $1.4 billion.
21 Dec 2006 14:17
Dos and Don'ts for Entrepreneurs, from Those Who Have Actually Done It
Published: December 13, 2006 in knowledge@Wharton
Fortune 500 companies claim to e "entrepreneurial," as do charities and government agencies. Members of many Washington think tanks dub themselves "policy entrepreneurs." Even children who mow lawns and run lemonade stands get the "entrepreneur" label.
21 Dec 2006 14:26
Google patent search in beta
A patent search is a long and expensive process, and internet search engine Google aims to shorten the task. Its Google patent search should, at least, give a company a hint if its innovation is truly one of a kind, or worth a patent application. The following from the Google newsroom:
21 Dec 2006 14:39
Intermec now shipping SR61 rugged handheld wireless scanner
EVERETT, Wash., December 21, 2006 - Intermec Inc. is now shipping the SR61 rugged handheld wireless scanner, the first scanner available with a choice of all Intermec scanning options: standard range area imager, MEMS laser or linear scanning. The SR61 allows companies to standardize on a single form factor and choose the scanning technology that best suits their application needs, from low-light environments to highly dense or difficult to read barcodes.
21 Dec 2006 17:00
Japan honors robots
The Japanese Government has created an award for robotics, according to an AP story.
21 Dec 2006 14:01
Mass layoffs in November 2006
In November, employers took 1,208 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single establishment, and the number of workers involved totaled 136,415, on a seasonally adjusted basis. The number of mass layoff events increased by 37 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims in- creased by 22,691. During November, 415 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 60,827 ini- tial claims. Both the number of events and the number of initial claims in manufacturing were higher in November than a month earlier.
21 Dec 2006 15:21
Skills: Grainger awards scholarships to three technical education students
CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2006) – Grainger, North America's leading distributor of facilities maintenance supplies, recently awarded three remaining 2006 scholarships to technical education students in Illinois, Ohio and Maryland, completing the first year of the company's Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program. The program provides funding for students at select community colleges to finish their second year in a technical career program.
21 Dec 2006 14:19
Effective leadership: Building a successful corporate culture
Year in and year out, cars manufactured by Toyota Motor Corp. are praised by automobile critics and lauded by loyal customers. The cars sell extraordinarily well and, come year's end, can almost always be found at the top of the rankings in reliability, quality and customer satisfaction.
20 Dec 2006 22:07
Guest editorial: EDS predictions for 2007
PLANO, Texas – As manufacturers continue to watch shrinking margins, they are facing unprecedented challenges developing products in a fast-changing, global marketplace. Manufacturers must become more agile and work smarter in order to be competitive. With the increasing challenge to reduce price and exceed quality, coupled with the need to improve margins and meet customer needs, how can technology help the manufacturing industry work smarter and still provide the level of service its customers want? EDS, a leader in providing IT services to manufacturers, predicts that eight major trends will influence companies in 2007.
20 Dec 2006 14:27
Guest editorial: Maxager Technology on trends in profitability
San Francisco, Calif., December 18, 2006 — Maxager Technology, the provider of velocity-driven enterprise profit optimization solutions, today announced its predictions for 2007.
20 Dec 2006 14:13
MasterCard and Ariba to automate corporate card programs
PURCHASE, NY and SUNNYVALE, CA, December 14, 2006 - MasterCard Worldwide, the leading global payment solutions company and Ariba, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARBA), the leading spend management solutions provider, today announced an agreement to enhance payment solutions for companies around the world. Under this agreement, Ariba and MasterCard will connect enhanced transaction data from the MasterCard global data repository with Ariba Supplier Network™, resulting in integration of purchasing and corporate card programs available for companies globally.
20 Dec 2006 17:48
NAM to welcome 110th congress with expanded legislative, policy agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 20 , 2006 – The National Association of Manufacturers today announced an expanded and ambitious legislative and policy agenda to greet the incoming 110th Congress that will convene in Washington the first week of January 2007.
20 Dec 2006 22:13
NAM to welcome 110th congress with expanded legislative/policy agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 20 , 2006 – The National Association of Manufacturers today announced an expanded and ambitious legislative and policy agenda to greet the incoming 110th Congress that will convene in Washington the first week of January 2007.
20 Dec 2006 22:16
Toyota unveils 8-Series lift trucks
“Wow!” said a member of the press, driving a Toyota 8-Series lift truck. “Smooth!”
Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. unveiled its 8-Series lift truck line at a press event in Savannah, Georgia, and the 8-series is not the usual.
19 Dec 2006 21:36
Autodesk and ThomasNet Team Up to Streamline Design and Specification Process
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., and NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2006 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) and ThomasNet (formerly known as Thomas Register) today announced the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership. Autodesk will extend its Autodesk Design Review software to include on-demand access to ThomasNet’s in-depth product and service information. The partnership is helping to redefine the design process by introducing a more efficient approach to collaboration, connecting specification and procurement decisions to core design processes.
18 Dec 2006 23:32
Bill Gates headlines innovation summit
BY DAWN LEVY
Used with permission of Stanford University, BY DAWN LEVY
Will America continue to lead the world in providing information technology, or will China or India more likely produce the next Google or Cisco? And will America show the way in inventing energy technologies, which may rival the Internet in changing the way we live and work?
18 Dec 2006 23:55
Miniature Laser Distance Sensor Delivers
Southington, Conn. — December 18, 2006.... Baumer Electric has expanded its existing line of analog laser distance sensors to include the OADM 13, a compact sensor that measures distances up to 550 mm and delivers consistent, precise, and accurate non-contact measurement independent of color and surface texture.
18 Dec 2006 23:30
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation to Acquire Thompson/Center Arms, Inc.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a 40-year old, privately held, New Hampshire-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium hunting firearms, for $102 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of January 2007.
18 Dec 2006 23:34
Opinion: Response to "What to expect from the Democratic Congress," Dec. 06 issue
Mr. Blond,
How to respond to such an editorial? Obviously you are associated, indeed entrenched in the liberal side of politics. I am also biased to the opposite realm, but with heavy libertarian leanings. Let me review your claims and explain why your position is so dangerous to the American way of life.
15 Dec 2006 14:02
Opinion: What to Expect from the Democratic Congress
Is the Party Over or Just Begun? David Blond believes we’re in for prosperity
15 Dec 2006 14:53
What to Expect from the Democratic Congress
Is the Party Over or Just Begun? David Blond believes we’re in for prosperity
15 Dec 2006 14:20
Bar Codes: Still Alive and Kicking
From AIM Connections,December 12, 2006, AIM Global
Bert Moore, Editor
Not only are bar codes still very much alive, they're becoming a critical component in helping to save lives, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals and patient care.
14 Dec 2006 21:53
Exostar Enables Boeing’s 787 Supply Chain
Herndon, VA – (December 13, 2006) – Exostar, a power behind secure collaborative supply networks, marks the one-year anniversary of its support of critical planning and execution processes for The Boeing Company’s 787 supply chain. Boeing utilizes Exostar for its design collaboration, sourcing and procurement solutions to work effectively with thousands of suppliers. The 787 airplane is the first Boeing program to deploy Exostar’s Supply Chain Management Solution.
14 Dec 2006 22:12
Microsoft, HP enter three year partnership
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT") and HP (NYSE "HPQ," Nasdaq "HPQ") today announced a three-year agreement to deliver an expanded portfolio of solutions for enterprise customers around the world. HP is the first premier global partner to deliver comprehensive solutions for the People-Ready Business, Microsoft's vision for how people, armed with the right software, are the key to driving business success.
14 Dec 2006 20:14
ODIN technologies Awarded U.S. Patent for RFID Accuracy Optimization
Dulles, VA, December 14, 2006 – ODIN technologies, the leader in the physics of RFID for solution design, deployment, and performance optimization software, announces the award of a broad patent relating to the use of software and equipment to improve RFID performance accuracy and visibility.
14 Dec 2006 20:21
Six Sigma Success Requires Management Support
by Kevin Grayson, CSSBB
NC State University
Industrial Extension Service
Every year we coach hundreds of 'belts' in Green Belt and Black Belt at NC State University. We show these belts how to follow the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) approach, use statistical software to analyze data, and apply the Six Sigma methodology to important projects within their company. We even have them pass a written assessment to ensure their understanding of these principles.
14 Dec 2006 21:41
Three-Step Migration Solutions Program From Rockwell Automation Helps Manufacturers Easily Transition From Legacy DCS Platforms
MILWAUKEE, Dec. 14, 2006 – A new three-step migration program from Rockwell Automation helps manufacturers cost efficiently replace aging DCS systems with the highly flexible, multidisciplined Logix Control Platform for improved productivity, lower costs and easier access to parts and service.
14 Dec 2006 21:43
Dana Corporation announces four plants slated for closure; further closures expected to be Finalized in 2007
TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "The decision to close any facility is extremely difficult and regrettable. But to become competitive and emerge from Chapter 11 as a viable company, it is absolutely critical that we further consolidate work across our facilities to reduce overcapacity and high operating costs." So said Dana Corp. Chairman and CEO Mike Burns.
Dana has announced four of eight facilities it plans to close during the next two years. The actions will consolidate production and are designed to balance capacity and take advantage of lower-cost manufacturing locations. Dana announced preliminary plans to close eight facilities last month.
13 Dec 2006 19:08
FKI Logistex introduces advanced automated replenishment at Promat 2007
Picking system uses automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) to offer continuous replenishment, dynamic pick faces, and consolidated trash removal(/I>
(St. Louis, Missouri, USA: January 4, 2007) FKI Logistex® (www.fkilogistex.com), a global leader in integrated material handling solutions, announces the launch of its new automated replenishment system for less-than-full-case picking, ideal for retail distribution and manufacturing. The new system uses FKI Logistex mini-load cranes to reduce the high manual labor cost of split-case picking by providing continuous, automated, demand-based replenishment to increase order fulfillment speed and accuracy.
13 Dec 2006 17:12
Forrester Research declares Servigistics leader in service parts optimization
ATLANTA, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Servigistics, the leading strategic service management solution provider, announced today that Forrester Research has declared Servigistics the leader in the service parts optimization market in the firm's new report entitled, "The Forrester Wave(TM): Service Parts Optimization Q4 2006."
13 Dec 2006 19:21
Global distributed control market growth approaches 7% through 2010
Dedham, Massachusetts; December 13, 2006: The Distributed Control Sys-tem (DCS) market experienced the strongest growth in a decade between 2004 and 2005, increasing at a rate of close to 9 percent. This strong growth is expected to continue through 2010, with the global market increasing at an average annual rate of almost 7 percent, according to the new ARC Advisory Group study, "Distributed Control System (DCS) Worldwide Outlook."
13 Dec 2006 16:42
Goodyear names APL best carrier in Latin America
Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dec. 12, 2006 – Goodyear, one of the world’s leading tire makers, has named global ocean container carrier APL the outstanding shipping line in Latin America. Goodyear Latin America President Eduardo Fortunato presented the award to APL at his company’s regional summit meeting here recently.
13 Dec 2006 20:54
HP reaches resolution, with California AG in board leaks
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 7, 2006 -- HP today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the California Attorney General to resolve civil claims arising from the previously disclosed investigation into leaks from its board of directors.
13 Dec 2006 19:45
Nexiant signs national agreement with Philip Morris USA for MRO management
IRVINE, Calif. (Dec. 13, 2006) - Nexiant, a leading provider of MRO inventory management solutions, has been selected by Philip Morris USA to provide a full-service MRO management solution that includes Nexiant's Smart Inventory Manager (SIM), Nexiant Secure point-of-use (POU) technology and onsite program management.
13 Dec 2006 16:00
North American pharmaceutical-biotech industry expects 30% jump in 2007 for new facility construction
SUGAR LAND--December 12, 2006--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). The Pharmaceutical-Biotech Industry currently expects 80 new facilities to complete construction over the next twelve months. The new sites represent a whopping $3.7 billion total investment value (TIV).
13 Dec 2006 20:15
Passive RFID Label Prices and Volumes in a Vicious Circle
NEW YORK - December 13, 2006 - The market for passive radio frequency identification (RFID) labels — particularly UHF labels — has not yet grown as stakeholders in the industry had hoped. According to a new study from ABI Research, the reason these core components of RFID tags have failed to achieve their expected potential is the relationship between prices, volumes, and the business case for RFID.
13 Dec 2006 18:17
Pepsi to open $200 million plant in Albany, Oregon
Albany, Ore. — Oregon’s Certified Industrial Lands Program, coupled with the cooperation and efforts of local and state agencies, helped pave the way for PepsiCo’s decision to locate its newest Gatorade and Propel production plant in Albany, Oregon.
The new plant will be located on a 242-acre parcel of land west of Interstate 5, the main north-south transportation route in Oregon. The state’s industrial site certification process, which was launched in early 2003, provides added certainty to site selectors and businesses that a site will meet its development objectives. Additionally, certification saves time, minimizes risk factors and lowers costs for the companies locating on the land.
13 Dec 2006 20:28
RSM McGladrey Tax Planning Guide Reveals Top 10 Strategies for Midsized Businesses
If a company has not revisited its structure, including its tax structure, since the 1980s, then likely, that company is paying more tax than it's obliged to, suggests Michael L. Metz, executive vice president – Tax Services, of RSM McGladrey.
13 Dec 2006 21:33
Supply-Chain Council Launches Supply-Chain Council University
WASHINGTON (Dec. 06, 2006) – According to AMR Research, 52 percent of global manufacturing companies have less than two years of experience in supply chain management. To meet this growing need for supply chain management training and certification, the Supply-Chain Council (SCC), owner of the widely used SCOR® Model, is initiating several worldwide programs targeted to better educate and certify supply chain professionals.
13 Dec 2006 20:20
U.S. Corporate Bankruptcies to Rise 17% in 2007, According to Global Insight Forecast
WALTHAM, MA, 4 December 2006 - Global Insight, the economic and financial analysis and forecasting firm, announced today that U.S. corporate bankruptcies are expected to increase by 17% in 2007, after falling an estimated 20% in 2006. The majority of these increases are expected to occur in the metals, mining, and energy sectors, as well as in real estate and closely related industries, such as mortgage banking and residential construction.
13 Dec 2006 20:04
UGS recognized as the leading provider of PLM for high-tech/electronics
PLANO, Texas – UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced that for the third year in a row, leading PLM industry analyst firm CIMdata, Inc. has recognized UGS as the leading provider of collaborative Product Definition management (cPDm) software for the High Tech and Electronics (HTE) industry.
13 Dec 2006 19:19
UPS Offers Voluntary Separation to Group of Employees
ATLANTA, Dec. 11, 2006 - UPS (NYSE:UPS) today offered a special voluntary separation opportunity to approximately 650 employees as part of the company's ongoing effort to eliminate redundant positions.
13 Dec 2006 19:54
USW condemns DuPont on Teflon safety
The United Steelworkers (USW) is condemning DuPont for, in USW's words, "contaminating employees around the country with some of the highest levels of the Teflon chemical, PFOA, yet to be found in human blood, while denying workers information on potential health effects."
13 Dec 2006 16:35
WIPO publishes guide on copyright and related rights for business
The following is an announcement from teh World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the global industry organization aimed at IP safety and cooperation.
Entrepreneurs, managers and staff of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can now consult a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) publication that explains, in practical terms, using concrete examples, how copyright and related rights can be used to further strategic business goals. The guide, entitled "Creative Expression: An Introduction to Copyright and Related Rights for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises," is the fourth in the "Intellectual Property for Business" series.
13 Dec 2006 16:18
GE Healthcare Saves Millions with Dynamic Publishing from Astoria SoftwareWorld's Largest Medical Manufacturer Reports Faster Production Cycles; Expands Deployment of Astoria Throughout GE Healthcare Divisions
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Driving efficiencies in dynamic publishing, Astoria Software announced today that has it has helped GE Healthcare, a $15 billion unit of General Electric Company headquartered in the United Kingdom, achieve significant cost savings and faster production cycles in creating, translating, and delivering user documentation for a wide range of medical products sold globally in its Healthcare Ultrasound Division. As a result, GE Healthcare will be rolling out the Astoria XML content management software to four additional divisions.
12 Dec 2006 18:27
Newton Peripherals Chooses ModusLink as Global Partner for supply chain
Waltham, Mass. December 4, 2006 - ModusLink Corporation, a subsidiary of CMGI, Inc. and leading provider of global supply chain management solutions, today announced that Newton Peripherals LLC, the company behind the ground-breaking MoGo Mouse™, has selected ModusLink as its global supply chain services provider.
12 Dec 2006 22:49
DuPont to cut 1,500 jobs
Chemicals and agrichemical giant DuPont will cut 1,500 jobs, in a move to cut operating costs by $100 million a year, BusinessWeek reports.
11 Dec 2006 16:19
HP CFO to retire
Hewlett-Packard has annoucned that Chief Financial Officer Bob Wayman will retire at the end of December, after 37 years with the company and 12 years as CFO. Treasurer Catherin Lesjak will succeed Wayman.
11 Dec 2006 16:24
Billings, Montana receives $72 million federal funds for windfarms
BILLINGS, Mont. -- Montana will receive $72 million in financing for 34 new wind power projects, reports the Billings Gazzette.
07 Dec 2006 16:45
BMW Manufacturing Co. Donates Robots to State Technical Colleges to Help Train Future Workforce
Spartanburg, S.C. (December 7, 2006) – BMW Manufacturing Co. announced today that is has donated 20 robots to the S.C. Technical Education System’s Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT) for distribution to 10 statewide technical colleges to help train South Carolina’s future workforce.
07 Dec 2006 19:49
Cisco Selects India as Site for the Cisco Globalization Center
NEW DELHI, India, and SAN JOSE, Calif., December 6, 2006 - Cisco® today announced the next stage of its globalization strategy with the selection of India as the site for its globalization center, called "Cisco Globalization Center East." In addition, the company announced the appointment of Wim Elfrink to Chief Globalization Officer (CGO). The announcement was made by John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, on the first day of his two-day visit to India. In addition to the role of CGO, Elfrink will retain the position of Senior Vice President of Customer Advocacy, reporting to John Chambers. Elfrink will relocate to Bangalore, India, in January 2007.
07 Dec 2006 17:05
Ford borrows more - bill up to $23 billion
The Wall Street Journal reports that Ford Motor will borrow another $5 billion on top of the $18 billion announced earlier this week, citing "overwhelming support by lenders."
07 Dec 2006 17:41
Industrial Manufacturing Industry to Open 129 New Plants in U.S. During First Quarter of 2007
SUGAR LAND--December 7, 2006--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). 2006 was a good year for the Industrial Manufacturing Industry, not only in capital and maintenance project activity, but also in terms of the number of new plants that opened their doors during the year within the United States. As we near the end of the year, 300 plants will have become operational representing over 46,600 new jobs in the U.S. A sneak peak ahead at the first quarter of 2007 shows that the Industrial Manufacturing Industry is currently expecting an additional 129 plants to become operational during that quarter alone, 43% of 2006’s year-end totals. This also represents an additional 25,000 new jobs within the industry. At this pace, the Industrial Manufacturing Industry will come close to eclipsing 2006’s totals by mid-year and nearly double them by the end of 2007.
07 Dec 2006 18:05
L-3 Communications wins $32 million Navy simulator contract
Dec. 7 2006 NEW YORK--L-3 Communications announced today that its Link Simulation and Training (L-3 Link) division has been awarded a $32 million contract from the Naval Air Warfare Center in Orlando, Fla. and The Boeing Company to provide four F/A-18E/F Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (TOFTs), instructor operator stations, brief/debrief systems, training and on-site technical services. This contract also provides the U.S. Navy with the opportunity to order follow-on F/A-18E/F TOFTs to meet future training needs and readiness objectives, options that could grow total contract value to $45 million.
07 Dec 2006 16:56
LXE Introduces Compact VX3X Vehicle-Mount Computer
ATLANTA - October 23, 2006 - LXE Inc., a leading manufacturer of rugged wireless computers that improve the performance of supply-chain execution applications, today announced the introduction of the VX3X vehicle-mounted computer. The VGA, Windows® CE.NET-driven VX3X vehicle-mounted computer is a smaller, more economical vehicle- mounted computer, perfect for use on smaller warehouse vehicles like pallet jacks, walkies, pickers, and narrow isle lift trucks -- vehicles with limited space for mounting a computer.
07 Dec 2006 17:22
Metro Group, Savi Networks, partner for real-time inventory tracking Asia to Europe
DUSSELDORF, Germany and SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Nov. 29, 2006 – The METRO Group, one of the world’s largest retailers and a world leader in commercial Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) deployments, has launched the Advanced Logistics Asia (ALA) project with Savi Networks to monitor in real-time the location and security of inventory shipped from Asia to Europe.
07 Dec 2006 17:01
Oracle Delivers Oracle Production Scheduling and Oracle Strategic Network Optimization
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., 27-NOV-2006 05:00 AM Oracle today announced the availability of Oracle(r) Production Scheduling and Oracle Strategic Network Optimization. By integrating capabilities from Oracle's JD Edwards and PeopleSoft Supply Chain Planning suite with Oracle's Supply Chain Management applications, manufacturing companies can optimize supply and distribution networks, mitigate risk, maximize shop floor throughput and dramatically reduce supply chain costs.
"As a valued end user of the Oracle Advanced Planning solution, we are looking forward to a rapid deployment of Oracle Production Scheduling," said Teva Pharmaceuticals Vice President, BPI Peter Billiaert. "As an experienced user of Oracle Advanced Supply Chain Planning, we're excited about Oracle's integrated offering of a truly best in class manufacturing planning, scheduling and execution solution, to drive our company to an even higher level of performance that will benefit our customers in terms of on-time delivery."
07 Dec 2006 17:16
Pelion Drives Lean Initiative for APICS Northern Colorado Chapter
BOULDER, Colo. - December 7, 2006 - Pelion Systems, a market leader in Manufacturing Operating Systems powered by Lean principles, today announced that John Szemler, Pelion’s vice president of automotive applications and a senior member of the company’s consulting team, has been appointed to the APICS Northern Colorado (NOCO) chapter’s leadership team as vice president of the NOCO Lean Initiative.
07 Dec 2006 22:02
RFID in 2006: A story of extremes
Following is a guest editorial From auto identification consultants IDTechEx.
07 Dec 2006 15:22
The skills gap: Raytheon, Boeing among others educating the 21st century workforce
The global marketplace is a single, level playing field where competition has become a matter of survival of the fittest, according to Thomas L. Friedman in his best-selling book "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century." This new reality creates a different set of challenges for businesses, and it changes the rules for students, job-seekers, and the educational institutions charged with preparing them.
07 Dec 2006 17:33
U.S. economic forecast for 2007: cooling off but no recession
The economy will cool off because of a slowing housing market and rising energy prices but will experience a soft adjustment and modest growth in 2007, according to two speakers at the 43rd Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon, co-sponsored Dec. 6 in Phoenix by the W. P. Carey School's Department of Economics and Chase.
07 Dec 2006 17:27
U.S. Steel, Indiana, reach settlement on emissions
U.S. Steel will pay $571,000, and perform $3.6 million in environmental work to the State of Indiana to settle emissions violations at its Northwestern Indiana Mill, reports the Associated Press.
07 Dec 2006 16:48
Asia-Pacific Partnership Yields Renewable Energy and Efficiency Projects
November 8, 2006 --The U.S. State Department announced on October 31st that the United States and its five partners in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate have endorsed detailed action plans and nearly 100 collaborative projects. The Partnership is an innovative U.S.-led effort to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies through a voluntary public-private partnership among six major Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. See the press release and detailed agreements on the State Department Web site.
06 Dec 2006 22:59
Commerce Department appoints panel on innovation
Washington, DC (Dec. 6) - Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez has named 15 business and academic leaders--including six Fortune 500 executives--to serve on a new panel he has formed to understand better how U.S. innovation contributes to American economic prosperity and high living standards.
06 Dec 2006 22:57
DOE Loan guarantee program supports commercialization of technologies
To further the goals of the President’s Advanced Energy Initiative and boost the commercialization of new energy technologies, DOE announced that it is offering $2 billion in federal loan guarantees for energy projects, including those that impact industrial efficiency.
06 Dec 2006 23:00
GM to cut production at three SUV plants
A Bloomberg Business Report states that GM will cut production at three SUV plants, beginning in January, owing to declining demand and high inventories.
06 Dec 2006 22:37
Graybar Opens in Panama City, Fla.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 6, 2006 – Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical and communications products and related supply chain management and logistics services, has opened a 19,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in Panama City, Fla. An open house and trade show, featuring more than 30 suppliers of electrical, comm/data and security solutions, will be held on Dec. 7 to mark the official opening.
06 Dec 2006 22:34
INVENSYS AWARDED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO UPGRADE FOXBORO CONTROL SYSTEMS AT SAUDI ARAMCO'S TWO LARGEST PLANTS
FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA - December 5, 2006 - Invensys Process Systems today announced that it has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract from Saudi Aramco to upgrade the existing Foxboro distributed control systems (DCS) at Saudi Aramco's Shedgum and 'Uthmaniyah Gas Plants. Invensys Middle East will provide all engineering, procurement (hardware and software), and site services for the DCS upgrade project.
06 Dec 2006 23:09
INVENSYS DEMONSTRATES UNIQUE NEW InFusion CONDITION MANAGER AT 2006 CUSTOMER CONFERENCE
DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (INVENSYS CUSTOMER CONFERENCE) - December 5, 2006 - Invensys is demonstrating a new intelligent real-time condition management component for the company's InFusion enterprise control system (ECS) at the 2006 Invensys Customer Conference.
06 Dec 2006 23:07
Lonza and Bio*One to open biotech venture in Singapore
Singapore & Basel, December 5, 2006 - Lonza Group Ltd (SWX:LONN) and Singapore’s Bio*One Capital announce the signing of a joint venture, Lonza Biologics Tuas, to build a large-scale mammalian cell culture facility in Singapore for the manufacture of commercial biopharmaceuticals. This will be the second large-scale mammalian manufacturing plant in Singapore, and the third one globally that Lonza has built. Depending upon customer request, the capital investment will amount up to USD 350 million.
06 Dec 2006 22:13
Lufthansa orders 20 (possibly 40) Boeing jets
The board at German airline Lufthansa has just approved the purchase of 20 Boeing 747-8 passenger jets, at a cost of about $5.5 billion.
06 Dec 2006 22:16
NAM applauds retiring manufacturing czar
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 6, 2006 – “After two years of dedicated service to the manufacturing community, I am saddened to hear of the resignation of Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing and Services Al Frink,” said John Engler, the National Association of Manufacturers’ president and CEO. “As our ‘Manufacturing Czar’ he was a stalwart advocate for the industry.”
06 Dec 2006 22:08
National Safety Council Announces Call for Applications for Robert W. Campbell Award
Itasca, IL (Dec. 6, 2006) – The Robert W. Campbell Award Program Committee invites organizations from around the world to participate in the 2007 cycle of this prestigious international award for business excellence in safety, health and environmental management.
06 Dec 2006 22:23
PTC Product Development System accelerates innovations for Audi’s Motor Sport Department
Needham, MA – December 6, 2006 - PTC today announced that Audi Sport, the motorsports division of Audi AG, will shortly complete its 11th consecutive year of successful motor sports partnership with PTC. Audi Sport deploys on PTC’s Product Development Solution – including Pro/ENGINEER®, the CAD/CAM/CAE solution, and Windchill®, the information and process management system – to develop its winning race cars for both the German Saloon Masters (DTM) as well as the program with the Sport Prototype including the “24 Hours of Le Mans”. Windchill PDMLink® has been deployed to capture and manage all product development information to help maximize engineering productivity for the Audi Sport development teams. It also enables collaboration between the Audi Sport team and the Audi brand group as part of their ongoing technology transfer.
06 Dec 2006 22:18
Thermadyne Teams with AWCIWT and ‘Welders Without Borders’ to recruit & train welders
St. Louis, MO (December 5, 2006) – The American Welding Society predicts that by 2010, demand for skilled welders may outstrip supply by about 200,000. Thermadyne Industries, Inc., a global leader in cutting and welding products, is actively engaged in a number of exciting activities to prevent this critical shortfall of skilled welders in the future.
06 Dec 2006 23:04
Tom's of Maine donates 38-acre wildlife sanctuary
(December 6, 2006 Kennebunk, Maine) – Tom’s of Maine announced the gift of the 38.1 acre “Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary” to the Kennebunk Land Trust today to forever protect local community access to the woods and trails along the Mousam River near downtown Kennebunk.
06 Dec 2006 22:27
Visiprise Solidifies Agreement with Foundry Leader
ATLANTA - December 6, 2006 - Visiprise, Inc., a leader in integrated manufacturing operations solutions, today announced an agreement to implement the Visiprise Shop Floor Scheduler in MetalTek International’s two largest facilities.
06 Dec 2006 22:53
Warehouse Management Systems Under-Utilized,
RALEIGH, NC, November 29, 2006 — A recent Supply Chain Consortium benchmarking and best practices survey of 100 top retail and related companies reveals that too many organizations under-utilize their Warehouse Management System (WMS) investment or do not make sound upgrade and replacement decisions.
06 Dec 2006 22:48
Brown Rudnick Closes Landmark M&A and Corporate Financing Deal in the Transportation Industry
Boston, MA, and New York, NY, December 4, 2006 – Brown Rudnick, a premier international law firm, represented Summit Global Logistics, Inc. in one of the year’s most complex and high-profile M&A transaction and corporate financings in the transportation industry.
04 Dec 2006 13:46
Exel Streamlines Network, Operates New Facility for Leading Industrial Company
(Westerville, Ohio) December 4, 2006 – Exel, the North American contract logistics provider, is operating a new, 120,000-square-foot spare parts distribution center in Romeoville, Ill., for Sandvik Mining and Construction (Sandvik), which is one of the world's leading suppliers of drilling, excavation, crushing and screening machinery, equipment and tools for the mining and construction industries.
04 Dec 2006 13:44
IT: Apriso Launches FlexNet Quality
Due to popular demand from customers, Apriso Corporation claims, the Long Beach, California provider of adaptive software platforms for global operations execution announces the availability of an improved Quality module, which is available as an optional upgrade to their FlexNet ® operations execution platform.
04 Dec 2006 14:07
Medpharm: Pfizer streamlines amid image, product challenges
04 December - Just last week, Pfizer announced that it would streamline its salesforce. This morning, the company announced the failure of its torcetrapib cholesterol drug in clinical trials.
04 Dec 2006 13:58
Schneider Logistics Reports Market Boost in Freight Audit and Payment Services
VENLO, Netherlands — Dec. 4, 2006 — Schneider Logistics, Inc., an international lead logistics provider and part of the Schneider National enterprise, is reporting a 20 percent increase in the market for freight audit and payment services in Europe, a business sector that Schneider pioneered and in which it is a key European player. Schneider services its freight audit and payment customers from its facilities in Venlo, Netherlands, and Olomouc, Czech Republic.
04 Dec 2006 14:00
Guest editorial: why software and greeting card companies care about a gas-pedal patent fight
Microsoft. Cisco. Hallmark. These corporations have seemingly little in common. Yet they’ve joined together along with others to support KSR International in a patent suit involving gas pedals.
01 Dec 2006 15:53
3PL receives kudos, ROI
Logistics: EPA presents award to APL Logistics
01 Dec 2006 21:21
ATS founds future manufacturer program, scholarship
Skills & HR: One manufacturer takes charge against the skills gap
01 Dec 2006 22:05
Boeing takes USAF search and rescue contract
Aerospace: The good times get better for Boeing
01 Dec 2006 21:20
Intelligent manufacturing means double-digit results
IT: Think tank finds that manufacturing intelligence bridges gap between MES, ERP
01 Dec 2006 21:22
Manufacturers have culture
Design & Innovation: : Fielding Manufacturing provides artistic lighting
01 Dec 2006 22:04
PLM on the racetrack
IT: Racing uses PLM to turn out winning hot rods
01 Dec 2006 22:03
