News Archive

Manufacturing news

March 2007

New BMW Manufacturing Co. President Named

(Spartanburg, S.C.) – Josef Kerscher has been named president of BMW Manufacturing Co., succeeding Dr. Clemens Schmitz-Justen, the company announced today. The transition of responsibilities begins April 1.
30 Mar 2007 15:23

PTC launches process framework linking PLM investments to business objectives

Needham, MA (March 29, 2007) — PTC today announced the availability of a comprehensive process framework that consists of industry-specific product development process landscapes. The intent of this framework is to help manufacturers in multiple industries understand the linkage between product development process improvements, PLM technology investments, and business value.
30 Mar 2007 16:01

Injection molding cell using Kukd KR3 robot wins robotics challenge

Clinton Township, Michigan — March 26, 2007 – KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced an injection molding cell using its KUKA KR3 robot won the Gold award in its division and was named the “2007 Robot of the Year” at the National Robotics Challenge held March 9-10, 2007 in Marion, OH.
29 Mar 2007 20:46

Justice Department StatementOn ITT Night-Vision Fine

March 27, 2007 WASHINGTON—ITT Corporation, the leading manufacturer of military night vision equipment for the U.S. Armed Forces, has admitted sending classified materials overseas and will pay a $100 million penalty, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division Kenneth L. Wainstein and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia John L. Brownlee announced today, along with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
29 Mar 2007 21:20

Peak Times Strain Labor Strategies

RALEIGH, NC, March 26, 2007 — Although top executives say they are satisfied with temporary labor strategies, a majority feel that some key changes are needed, according to a recent Supply Chain Consortium survey of 100 top retail and consumer goods companies.
29 Mar 2007 20:41

RIM Opens New BlackBerry API’s to Support Growth

Waterloo ON – March 27, 2007 – Research In Motion (RIM) today announced it is adding additional Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to the BlackBerry® Java Development Environment (BlackBerry JDE) to enable the next wave in mobile application development.
29 Mar 2007 20:48

SAP's Shai Agassi resigns

Come April 1, SAP's Shai Agassi, president of SAP's product and technology group and some believe its driving force, will resign to pursue environmental causes.
29 Mar 2007 21:04

Spot the OSHA Violations in the Reception Area of Fear

DAVENPORT, IA – The imaginary company depicted in the picture above is doing some redecorating in their reception area. They’re also about to celebrate an employee’s birthday – they’d better hope an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspector doesn’t crash the party. How many OSHA violations can you spot?
29 Mar 2007 22:17

U.S. Steel to Acquire Lone Star Technologies

PITTSBURGH and DALLAS, March 29 -- United States Steel Corporation and Lone Star Technologies, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which U. S. Steel will acquire Lone Star, a leading manufacturer of welded oilfield tubular goods, for $67.50 per share in cash.
29 Mar 2007 22:32

Emirates shipping line joins INTTRA network of carriers

Parsippany, N.J., USA and Hong Kong, China, March 26, 2007 - INTTRA and Emirates Shipping Line FZE announced today that Emirates Shipping Line, the world's newest carrier, has joined the INTTRA carrier network, bringing the total number of member carriers to 23.
26 Mar 2007 12:16

Opinion: Dr. Gore’s Magnificent Weather Theatrickes

by Dann A. Maurno, Editor in Chief Al Gore spared no tricks in his testimony before congress last Wednesday, wherein he called for raidcal environmental reforms to combat global warming (which he sees as both an inconvenient truth, and an inarguable fact). He invoked children, telling the lawmakers they could expect angry questions from their grandchildren, if they don’t act now. He invoked God, whom he expects to be equally furious for us “heaping contempt upon his Creation.” He invoked both Nazism and Communism, comparing the need for environmental commitment to those epic battles.
26 Mar 2007 14:36

Opinion: The Goracle Ain’t No Chicken Little

by Dr. David Blond Al Gore testified before Congress about global warming. At the same time a new study coming out of Australia showed that the Antarctic ice cap, along with the Greenland ice cap, is melting at an alarming rate. This reduces salinity of the northern and southern oceans.
26 Mar 2007 14:33

BP Solar selected for Solar America Initiative award from US Department of Energy

Frederick, MD (March 8, 2007) – The US Department of Energy (DOE) will participate in the first phase of a three-year, $40 million research and development program proposed by BP Solar and its partners aimed at decreasing the cost of solar cells and increasing their efficiency in order to make solar power cost competitive with electricity generated by other means.
23 Mar 2007 21:25

Details revealed in Oracle v SAP

A day after the suit was announced, the details are emerging of Oracle's suit against SAP, filed in the US District Court in San Francisco.
23 Mar 2007 21:23

Lean Learning Center Chosen by Northrop Grumman Marine Systems to Oversee Lean Manufacturing Implementation

Novi, Mich, March 23, 2007 – The Lean Learning Center, a leading provider of lean curriculum and consulting, has announced that it has been contracted by Northrop Grumman Marine Systems of Sunnyvale, Calif. to enhance its continuous improvement efforts in its propulsion systems and power generation systems areas by implementing a lean transformation program.
23 Mar 2007 19:43

Record Setting Weekend for UGS Sponsored Race Teams: UGS Technology Helps Teams Set New Records, Earn Maximum Points and Take Home Milestone Wins

KB Racing’s Greg Anderson earned the maximum points possible at a national event by qualifying No. 1, setting a new NHRA Pro Stock record and winning the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
23 Mar 2007 21:31

Will hybrid boats be next?

An Agence France-Presse story declares that "ocean-going vessels now belch out more of the major air pollutant sulfur dioxide than all of the world's cars, trucks and bues combined."
23 Mar 2007 21:38

APL security chief to shippers: Get involved

MEMPHIS, March 21, 2007 – Congress’ recently enacted SAFE Port Act affords plenty of opportunity to help shape supply chain security. Now it’s up to shippers and transportation providers to get involved. That was the message delivered today by a leading container shipping security expert.
22 Mar 2007 13:00

ClearOrbit Awarded Technology Supply Chain

Austin, Texas – March 21, 2007 – ClearOrbit (www.clearorbit.com ), the leading provider of real-time supply chain execution and reverse logistics solutions, today announced that the company has earned the Supply-Chain Council’s (SCC) prestigious Technology Supply Chain Management Excellence Award for demonstrated leadership and innovation in supply chain execution and collaboration.
22 Mar 2007 22:15

Is Texas the New El Dorado of Spanish Companies?

Published March 21, 2007 in Knowledge@Wharton Little by little, Spanish companies have been moving into Texas, and they are beginning to enjoy the benefits. In the infrastructure sector, Ferrovial, through its highway subsidiary Cintra, has become a strategic partner with the government in developing the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC-35).
22 Mar 2007 12:40

NAM SUBMITS COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 22, 2007 – In comments submitted today to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce regarding climate change policy recommendations, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) advised leadership to find a balance between protecting our environment and continuing to grow our economy.
22 Mar 2007 21:48

Oracle sues SAP

Breaking news, from the Wall Street Journal, that Oracle has filed a lawsuit against german rival and ERP giant SAP, alleging spying and "corporate theft on a grand scale."
22 Mar 2007 18:26

HP signs services agreement with Johnson Controls

PALO ALTO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 19, 2007— HP and Johnson Controls, Inc., a global leader in building efficiency and facilities management, have signed two new services contracts.
20 Mar 2007 11:59

Old Man Winter drives CPG spending at Easter

As consumer goods manufacturers know, there's more to a forecast than seasonality.
20 Mar 2007 11:55

Signs of spring for Airbus

Flight is what it boils down to, and the Airbus A380 was welcomed in style by the US on the 19th, as two of the 21st century flagship jetliners touched down within minutes of each other in both New York and Los Angeles.
20 Mar 2007 12:46

WIPO Director General Meets ASEAN Secretary General

Geneva, March 20, 2007 -- The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, met on March 20, 2007 with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Ong Keng Yong, to review cooperation activities and discuss the best ways through which ASEAN member countries can capitalize on the intellectual property system to promote development and economic growth.
20 Mar 2007 19:14

Graybar Achieves #1 Industry Ranking on the 2006 FORTUNE “America’s Most Admired Companies” List

ST. LOUIS, March 16, 2007 – Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical and communications products and related supply chain management and logistics services, has achieved the #1 ranking in the industry category Wholesalers: Diversified on the annual FORTUNE “America’s Most Admired Companies” list.
19 Mar 2007 21:58

Intek Plastics Plans Growth Through Private Equity Financing

HASTINGS, MINN. (March 16, 2007) – Intek Plastics, a leader in custom plastic extrusion and fabrication, announced that it has received a signed letter of intent from Connecticut-based Private Equity Capital Corp. to purchase the company.
19 Mar 2007 22:17

Russia’s Global Energy Network Includes $1.2 Billion Balkan Pipeline

March 19, 2007--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). In a week when Russia signed an agreement with Bulgaria and Greece to build the strategic Burgas-Alexandroupolis 279-kilometer crude oil pipeline to link the Balkans with the global markets, it was revealed that the country is aiming for a 20/25% pipeline network reserve capacity by 2015,and the cost estimate for the eastern pipeline to China has almost doubled from the original estimate of $6.6 billion to $11 billion.
19 Mar 2007 22:04

Supply-Chain Council launches no-cost benchmarking service for members

March 19, 2007 – The Supply-Chain Council (SCC) today announced SCORmarkSM, a no-cost benchmarking portal based on the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR®) Model.
19 Mar 2007 21:56

Automation market thrives in Asia, spurred by massive investments in manufacturing

Dedham, Massachusetts; March 15, 2007: Strong economic activity in Asia is spurring the growth of manufacturing, which in turn is propelling the growth of the automation market in the region.
16 Mar 2007 14:41

Pitney Bowes to Acquire MapInfo

STAMFORD, Conn. & Troy, N.Y., Mar 15, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) today announced it has entered into a merger agreement to acquire MapInfo Corporation (NASDAQ: MAPS) for approximately $408 million in cash, net of expected cash on MapInfo's balance sheet at the time of closing. MapInfo is the leading global provider of location intelligence solutions. In the next seven business days, Pitney Bowes will commence a tender offer at a price of $20.25 per share in cash for the outstanding common shares of MapInfo.
16 Mar 2007 16:38

SAP unleashes next wave of product autotracking and ID

HANOVER, Germany - March 15, 2007 - SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today unveiled what it calls "the next wave of business innovation with radio frequency identification (RFID) and other auto-identification technologies," designed to enable companies across industries to apply the technology in unprecedented ways to solve pressing business challenges.
16 Mar 2007 14:37

APL wins Los Angeles award for air quality efforts

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2007 – Container shipping leader APL has been honored for its innovative air quality initiatives by one of California’s oldest and most respected marine aquariums.
15 Mar 2007 15:12

Best companies to work for profit from it, finds Deloitte

New York – March 13, 2007 -- In a study of the 2007 Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche USA), one of the nation's leading providers of professional services, found that companies on the list outperformed the S&P 500 in total shareholder value return over a 10-year period, 18.9 percent to 8.4 percent.
15 Mar 2007 12:25

Nation's largest solar production facility slated for Oregon

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 13, 2007) – SolarWorld Group, headquartered in Germany, has selected Hillsboro, Ore., as the location for its newest manufacturing plant. The new facility, which will open in the summer of 2007, will produce solar cells and wafers and will be the largest plant of its kind in the nation when it is in full production in 2009.
15 Mar 2007 12:42

US manufacturers not taking advantage of emerging markets, says Deloitte

New York, N.Y., March 14, 2007 — Despite the size and remarkable growth of emerging markets, a surprising number of U.S. manufacturers are falling short of achieving their business goals, according to a new study by the Deloitte Global Manufacturing Industry Group. Just over half of the U.S. companies surveyed reported being extremely or very successful in achieving their revenue goals and operating goals in emerging markets.
15 Mar 2007 13:28

Abbott Laboratories halts new drugs to Thailand

They’ll be in negotiations later this week, but until then, Abbott Laboratories has pledged not to launch new medicinces in Thailand.
13 Mar 2007 21:51

Auto industry, labor join against efficiency rules

The US auto industry will present a rare united front to Congress on Wednesday, against sharply higher fuel efficiency rules for cars and trucks that could cost $114 billion.
13 Mar 2007 22:15

Boeing to help Caribbean Airlines streamline maintenance operations

SEATTLE, March 13, 2007 -- Caribbean Airlines has adopted Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Web-based maintenance solution, Maintenance Performance Toolbox, to help improve the maintenance of its fleet of seven Next Generation 737-800s.
13 Mar 2007 21:53

JPMorgan Chase releases outsourced customs warehousing solution

Dulles, VA, March 13, 2007 -- JPMorgan Chase Vastera, the global supply chain and trade logistics unit of JPMorgan Chase, has launched its new Border Logistics Management solution. The solution, says the company, is "a comprehensive outsourced customs warehousing service designed to bring greater visibility and efficiency to companies moving goods between the United States and Mexico."
13 Mar 2007 22:05

Boeing, Volga-Dnepr Group Announce Order for Five 747-8 Freighters

SEATTLE, March 12, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Moscow-based freight company Volga-Dnepr Group today announced an order for five Boeing 747-8 Freighters with purchase rights for an additional five airplanes.
12 Mar 2007 21:17

Ford bids "Cheerio" to Aston Martin to consortium of wealthy enthusiasts

Ford Motor Company announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Aston Martin, its prestigious sports car business, to a consortium comprised of David Richards, John Sinders, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co. This transaction is the result of Ford's decision, as announced in August 2006, to explore strategic options for the Aston Martin business as the company restructures its core automotive operations and builds liquidity.
12 Mar 2007 22:09

Guest column - Why lean companies stay fat: lean manufacturing for high performance

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.
09 Mar 2007 15:45

APL announces new cooperation in U.S-South America trade

MIAMI, March 7, 2007 – Global container shipping line APL announced today a new cooperation with Mediterranean Shipping Company and Mitsui OSK to take effect in April of 2007.
08 Mar 2007 17:51

Invensys wins automation contract for Louisiana LNG terminal

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA - March 8, 2007 - Kudos to Invensys Process Systems, which has won an automation contract from Aker Kvaerner, Inc., a subsidiary of Aker Kvaerner ASA, that includes Foxboro distributed control systems (DCS), Triconex safety systems and fire & gas systems, and Foxboro instrumentation.
08 Mar 2007 23:21

Manufacturers Alliance\MAPI Quarterly Industrial Outlook: Significant Slowing in 2007, Rebound in 2008

The U.S. manufacturing sector performed well in early 2006 but has entered a soft stretch in late 2006 which will continue into early 2007. The slowdown, however, should be relatively short-lived before recovering in 2008, according to the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Industrial Outlook (ER-621e), a report that analyzes 27 major industries.
08 Mar 2007 23:39

OPINION: Repeal SOX

A famous 1994 poll by Luntz Research claimed that more young Americans believed that UFOs exist than believed that Social Security would exist by the time they retire.
08 Mar 2007 19:06

OPINION: Repeal SOX

A famous 1994 poll by Luntz Research claimed that more young Americans believed that UFOs exist than believed that Social Security would exist by the time they retire.
08 Mar 2007 19:05

OPINION: Repeal SOX

A famous 1994 poll by Luntz Research claimed that more young Americans believed that UFOs exist than believed that Social Security would exist by the time they retire.
08 Mar 2007 19:05

Printed Electronics - Overcoming Barriers to Commercialisation By Raghu Das, CEO IDTechEx

Nowadays, the term printed electronics is taken to include truly printed electronics but also thin film electronics that is potentially printable. Anything less and you miss the big picture.
08 Mar 2007 16:42

RIM\Blackberry chief resigns over earnings

James Balsillie has resigned as chariman of Research in Motion or RIM, makers of the BlackBerry devices.
08 Mar 2007 23:10

Rochester Institute provides policy advice to UN on sustainable development

Nabil Nasr, director of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology and assistant vice provost for academic affairs, was one of two expert presenters at the United Nations for the 15th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development also known as CSD-15. Nasr has contributed his expertise to The Manufacturer in months past on innovation in the US.
08 Mar 2007 13:35

Society of Safety Engineers releases new hearing standards for construction, demolition

DES PLAINES, IL (March 8, 2007) – The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the approval of the new American National Standard Institute ANSI/ASSE A10.46-2007 standard. The standard, Hearing Loss Prevention in Construction and Demolition Workers, recognizes the need for protecting personnel from injury by preventing hearing loss in construction and demolition operations.
08 Mar 2007 16:24

US\France JV opens bio-refinery

New York, N.Y. (March 8, 2007) – BioAmber, a joint venture of Diversified Natural Products (DNP), a U.S. based biotechnology company, and French based Agro Industries Recherche et Developpement (ARD) announced plans today for a new facility to produce a green, bio-based replacement for oil in the chemical market.
08 Mar 2007 23:16

ADP National Employment Report shows US added 57,000 private sector jobs in February

ROSELAND, New Jersey – March 7, 2007 – Private sector employment increased by 57,000 in February, according to today’s ADP National Employment Report. Beginning today, the ADP National Employment Report will be developed from a significantly larger sample of anonymous payroll data, and will utilize more advanced data filtering and seasonal adjustment procedures. The ADP Report also has been broadened to now include additional detail on nonfarm private employment by select industry sectors and by company size.
07 Mar 2007 13:50

HP resolves in cartridgepatent infringement with Chinese cloner

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 6 -- HP today announced that it has resolved ink cartridge patent violation issues with China-based Ninestar.
07 Mar 2007 14:00

HP resolves ink cartridge patent infringement with ninestar

March 6 -- HP today announced that it has resolved ink cartridge patent violation issues with China-based Ninestar.
07 Mar 2007 13:59

Invensys and Transpara announce global partnership

FOXBORO, MASS. and Pleasanton, Calif., USA - March 7, 2007 - Transpara Corporation, www.transpara.com, and Invensys Process Systems today announced a global partnership through which Invensys Process Systems becomes a global reseller and certified implementer for Transpara's Visual KPI operations intelligence software.
07 Mar 2007 14:55

RFID author to Wall Street Journal, "What do you know?"

Mar. 6, 2007 RFID -- Switchboard President Andy Kowl took the Wall Street Journal to task in an open letter for misrepresenting ROI and hedging facts.
07 Mar 2007 14:12

Silverjet Launches Daily Cargo Route Between London, New York

Silverjet, a British all-business-class airline, is now offering cargo services on its daily scheduled passenger service between London and Newark, N.J. Launching operations in January of this year, Silverjet claims to be the world's first carbon-neutral airline.
07 Mar 2007 14:57

DaimlerChrysler entertains offers for Chrysler Group

It appears that a down-on-its-luck automaker with an established infrastructure is considered a fair "get".
06 Mar 2007 13:34

Autodesk and Renault Form Three-Year Global Strategic Alliance

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Mar. 5, 2007 — Autodesk, Inc. today announced a multi-million-dollar three-year global strategic alliance with Renault’s renowned Design Department. The deal underscores Renault’s commitment to Autodesk AliasStudio and Autodesk Maya software applications as the foundation for its pioneering global digital design workflow.
05 Mar 2007 19:20

FDA To Reveal RFID Test Results at Fifth RFID Academic Convocation

March 5, 2007 — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will reveal methods and results of tests completed to determine the effects of RFID readers on implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators during the fifth RFID Academic Convocation, being held April 30 in Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with RFID Journal LIVE! 2007, the fifth annual conference and exhibition produced by RFID Journal.
05 Mar 2007 19:30

FedEx Express Enhances Express Freight Service

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 5, 2007—FedEx Express, a unit of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is increasing the reach of its FedEx International Priority Freight service to cover more than 130 countries and is significantly enhancing its domestic FedEx Express Freight service.
05 Mar 2007 19:08

KUKA ROBOTICS SELECTED BY TRANSBOTICS CORPORATION TO SUPPLY ROBOTICS FOR AUTOMATIC GUIDED VEHICLE (AGV) SYSTEMS

Clinton Township, Michigan — February 28, 2007 – KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it has been selected by Transbotics Corporation to provide robotics to work in conjunction with a new line of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV).
05 Mar 2007 19:34

GE lights Edison house

LOUISVILLE, KY — Through a grant provided by GE Consumer & Industrial, Thomas Edison House (729-731 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY) has installed new state-of-the-art museum lighting. The lighting project was completed in commemoration of Thomas Edison's 160th birthday.
02 Mar 2007 20:07

Airbus reveals restructuring plan, 10,000 job cuts

Airbus has revealed its restructuring plan, which it calls Power8.
01 Mar 2007 13:47

Campbell Resources out of bankruptcy, reveals plans for Copper Rand Mine

Montréal, February 28, 2007 - Campbell Resources Inc. annunced that the Monitor has, as of February 27, 2007, presented a Certificate of Execution with respect to the Plan of Arrangement of Campbell Resources Inc. confirming that it has executed all of its obligations pursuant to its Plan of Arrangement with its creditors.
01 Mar 2007 13:52

Dow for sale to India's largest company?

Forbes is reporting that Reliance Industries, India's largest company, is reportedly seeking $2 billion in bank financing to develop a gas field off India's coast, and may be positioning itself to acquire Dow, the petrochemical giant.
01 Mar 2007 13:29

HR pros underestimate jobhunting, underpayment, dissatisfaction

Waltham, MA, February 22nd, 2007 -- Salary.com, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand compensation management solutions, today released results from its 2006/2007 Employee Satisfaction and Retention Survey completed by 11,852 employees and 311 human resources (HR) professionals. This annual survey provides insights into the state of the union between what employees value and what HR professionals perceive to be the most important factors in employee job satisfaction. Employers dramatically underestimate both the volume and seriousness of employee job searches -- despite HR professionals identifying retention as their top business challenge.
01 Mar 2007 13:57

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