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The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).
This week's episode is brought to you by Sigga Technologies. While it has always been at the forefront, more manufacturers are giving even more attention to how maintenance programs can drive greater efficiency and productivity. Register now to watch Jeff's new interview with Stephen Timms, Sigga CEO, to hear how manufacturers are increasing tool time two hours per day per technician.
Every week, we cover the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:
5 Workers Picketing in UAW Strike Hit by Vehicle Outside Plant - @3:09
United Auto Workers were picketing outside a Flint-area General Motors plant when they were struck by a vehicle leaving the plant.
Golf Ball Maker Fined after Fatal Fire for Storing 30 Times Limit for Hazardous Material - @11:24
Launch Technologies in Taiwan was fined the equivalent of $75,000 on Monday for storing 30 times the legal limit of hazardous material and other violations after a major factory fire killed nine people and left one other missing.
Toyota Gigacasting Prototype Builds Third of a Car Body in Three Minutes - @21:07
Toyota recently unveiled a prototype of its new gigacasting equipment that can produce a third of a car body in about three minutes.
77-Year-Old Boat Maker Announces Layoffs - @30:08
Alumacraft parent company BRP, which bought the company in 2018, announced it will lay off 68 workers at a U.S. plant.
China's Export of Two Key Rare Minerals Drops to Zero - @40:27
China is responsible for the production of 80% of the world’s gallium and about 60% of germanium and it just cut off access for the U.S.
In Case You Missed It
Lego Will Stick to Its Quest to Find Sustainable Materials - @49:22
Lego "decided not to progress" with making bricks out of PET. It turns out that two years of testing "found the material didn't reduce carbon emissions."
UPS to Hire 100k Holiday Workers - @56:37
UPS plans to hire more than 100,000 workers — at higher pay than a year ago — to help with the holiday rush this season, in line with hiring the previous three years.
Honda Designs Tiny EV for Children's Hospitals - @1:01:12
Honda’s latest project sees the automaker partnering with its local dealer associations to produce small, electric ride-on vehicles that will be distributed to children’s hospitals throughout the U.S.
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