Manufacturing

Washington, DC (Oct. 2, 2009) – Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) joined an environmental leader, a U.S. Senator and manufacturing advocates yesterday to unveil a new report on what is needed in climate change legislation to protect American manufacturing jobs as the U.S. Senate gets underway with completing work on a new bill.

The report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) showed a state-by-state breakdown of 4.1 million jobs could be at risk unless Congress maintains international competitiveness by enacting measures to help energy-intensive and trade sensitive manufacturers dealing with new climate change standards and to prevent what is called carbon leakage.    » read more »

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined labor and environmental leaders to unveil a new report on climate change legislation and jobs. The report – with a state-by-state and industry breakdown – shows that industries supporting more than 4 million jobs could be at risk unless Congress maintains the competitiveness of energy-intensive, trade-sensitive manufacturers in any climate change legislation.    » read more »

CHICAGO, Aug. 27 -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) today announced that the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner is expected by the end of 2009 and first delivery is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The new schedule reflects the previously announced need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft, along with the addition of several weeks of schedule margin to reduce flight test and certification risk. The company projects achieving a production rate of 10 airplanes per month in late 2013.    » read more »

In August, Ford is on track to post its highest monthly F-Series and Escape sales of 2009 following strong sales for both vehicles in July

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 27, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today announced it is adding third production shifts at its Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant’s sport utility line to help meet strong demand for Ford F-150 pickups and Escape utility vehicles.

In August, Ford expects to post its first monthly year-over-year sales increase for F-Series trucks since October 2006, as well as another record-setting sales month for Escape.    » read more »

Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order

August 31, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today announced that the New Hampshire Department of Justice went to court this afternoon in an attempt to protect the rights of the 131 workers of Precision Technology in Pembroke. In response to the state’s action, a judge has issued a temporary restraining order.

This afternoon Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Bruce Mohl issued a temporary restraining order against the company, preventing the transfer of assets of Precision Technology until a formal hearing is held. A hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m.    » read more »

Expansion brings 240 new jobs to North Alabama

August 21, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley today commented on news that Toyota plans to expand its Huntsville engine production facility, investing an additional $147 million and adding at least 240 new jobs. The expansion will bring total investment at Toyota’s Alabama plant to $637 million and the total number of jobs to more than 1000.

Governor Riley made the following statement:    » read more »

ERLANGER, Ky. (August 21, 2009) -- Toyota will add capacity at its engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., to increase North American production of four-cylinder engines. The expansion will allow Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL) to produce 216,000 four-cylinder engines annually. Production will begin by summer 2011.

The plant currently builds both V8 and V6 engines. The expansion will bring its annual engine capacity to 577,000.

At least 240 new employees will be hired, raising total employment at TMMAL to more than 1,000. New investment will be $147 million, bringing the total to $637 million.    » read more »

Dorgan says Oshkosh CEO is reconsidering decision to close oakes plant; Expects decision in a week to 10 days

July 8, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) is asking the head of Oshkosh Trucking to reconsider the closure of the company’s manufacturing plant in Oakes, N.D., in light of a new $1.06 billion federal contract the company has just received from the Pentagon to build heavy armored vehicles for the Army and Marines.    » read more »

Says China’s export quotas, taxes are illegal trade barriers that hurt U.S. manufacturing workers

Washington, D.C. (Jun. 23) -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today gave strong support for a new World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute filed by the United States and European Union, challenging China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and minerals used in manufacturing.

The U.S. and the EU have requested WTO consultations with the Chinese government regarding export restrictions placed on a variety of raw materials and minerals, including bauxite, coke, zinc, silicon metal, silicon carbide, fluorspar, yellow phosphorous, magnesium and manganese.    » read more »

As Vice President Biden Conducts Middle Class Task Force Meeting in Ohio, Brown Outlines Need for Robust National Manufacturing Policy

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Vice President Biden conducts a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force in Ohio today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) outlined the need for a robust national manufacturing policy. Brown, a longtime proponent of domestic manufacturing, outlined ways to strengthen the nation's manufacturing base and rebuild the middle class in a letter sent to Vice President Biden.

"Ohio and the middle class need a robust plan for manufacturing and economic recovery that will promote a high wage, productive, and sustainable economy," Brown said in a letter to Vice President Biden.    » read more »

Praises New Funds to Retool Ohio Auto Plants; Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant, Lima Engine Plant, and Sharonville Transmission Plant Will Receive Funds from Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program to Retool for Clean Energy Manufacturing

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the creation of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers today and praised the release of $8 billion in conditional loan commitments from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program.    » read more »

Cleveland County Manufacturer to Add 114 Jobs

6/23/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced that Baldor Electric Co., an international supplier of industrial electric motors, mechanical power transmission products, drives and generators, will expand its Kings Mountain operations. The company plans to invest more than $12.2 million and create 114 jobs during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $157,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“North Carolina’s manufacturing sector remains strong and diverse,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our state is attractive to growing companies because of our highly skilled workforce, business-friendly climate and tremendous quality of life.”    » read more »

International Team of Engineers to Develop Next Generation of Energy, Environmental Solutions

BELFORT, France--23 June 2009-- GE Energy today opened a new Technology Center in Belfort, the company’s European headquarters for the past 10 years and its international center of excellence for the manufacturing of medium-sized gas turbines.

The new Technology Center will house up to 400 engineers from 15 different countries, who will work to develop the most advanced technology to help customers address environmental and energy challenges.

Covering 12,000 m2, the center will be fully operational by September2009 and represents GE Energy and Sempat’s (Société patrimoniale du Territoire de Belfort) joint investment of approximately € 25 million.    » read more »

Says ruling is positive step toward timely relief

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner released the following statement today after the International Trade Commission ruled yesterday that increased imports from China have injured domestic tire industry workers:

“This is a positive step toward timely import relief for our local tire workers,” said Senator Warner. “While the ruling confirms the unfortunate fact that U.S. tire workers have taken hits due to a surge in imports from China, I expect the ITC will use its honest and thorough analysis to recommend a remedy that will help our domestic tire industry get back on its feet.”    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- June 18, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) said today that the International Trade Commission should recommend robust import relief following its conclusion announced this morning that a surge of imports of tires from China has injured domestic tire industry workers.    » read more »