March 2008 - Posts

• We are not alone, and other observations

  Last year when our website designers began to pitch me the idea of starting a “blog” I was skeptical, and uneasy. I doubted many people cared what I was thinking about in the weeks between issues of FM&T , or what I was reading, or what I thought Read More... Posted Monday, March 31, 2008 10:07 AM by REB | 0 Comments

• China cracks down

  One of the frequent, and frequently accurate, criticisms of China’s brand of capitalism is that its governing and regulating bodies are hypocritical: ministries pledge to enforce export quotas, or labor standards, or pollution control measures, and yet Read More... Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:40 PM by REB | 0 Comments

• Giving up without a fight

  An expert on air-quality issues for the metalcasting industry, and manufacturing in general, made a presentation earlier this week about the state of play in the arena of environmental regulations. Jim Schifo of Keramida Environmental Inc. spoke to the Read More... Posted Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:21 PM by REB | 0 Comments

• Get me research!

  A number of research studies have been sent to me in recent weeks, and each one of them may have some value for various readers; I think they offer a more interesting outlook of the coming years when considered together. So: • Aluminum castings and magnesium Read More... Posted Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:49 PM by REB | 0 Comments

• The experiment is over

  Chrysler Corp. is planning a two-week shutdown in July, to create "efficiency across organizational lines and boost productivity." The automaker has been in restructuring mode for more than a year, so that explanation is a bit unsatisfying. The fact that Read More... Posted Thursday, March 13, 2008 11:26 PM by REB | 0 Comments

• Striking it big

  When the United Autoworkers union initiated a strike at five American Axle & Manufacturing plants February 26, there was little indication of the impact 3,650 workers might have on the automotive industry — and General Motors in particular. One early Read More... Posted Thursday, March 06, 2008 2:16 PM by REB | 0 Comments

• Smoking out offenders, and other observatons

  Pacific Cast Technologies, an investment caster in Albany, OR, has banned tobacco use on its premises. It’s not the first company to do this, and it won’t be the last. “We no longer allow tobacco use of any kind in our facility, neither in the plant, Read More... Posted Sunday, March 02, 2008 10:12 PM by REB | 0 Comments