The News Review:
- 3 execs indicted in failed beef plant
- DEFENCE PRDUCTIN AND R & D (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
- Virtual Manufacturing Technology A Big Factor Behind Ford’s Continuall…
- Bloomberg.com: Investment Tools
- Altair Announces New Reseller Agreement with CYBERNETICS Expanding…
- Bloomberg.com: Investment Tools
- Expansion plan creates jobs at engineering firm
3 execs indicted in failed beef plant
Forbes – Mar 25, 2008
The court records show each of the men was indicted on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The other counts for each are on ‘frauds and swindles. ‘ The Mississippi Beef Processors plant was open only a few weeks before it failed in 2004 and left 400 people out of work. Mississippi was stuck with $55 million in state-backed loans for the 140000-square-foot plant. The indictment accuses Moultrie and Cawood of devising and carrying out ‘a scheme and plan to corruptly give offer and agree to give more than $5000 in campaign contributions to the re-election campaign’ of a Mississippi official. The official is not named or charged in the indictment. Mississippi puts a $1000 limit on campaign contributions from corporations… and Facility Design Group Inc. James Tucker of Jackson the attorney representing the companies said the companies also pleaded not guilty. ‘The Facility Group is a fine engineering company’ Tucker said. ‘We will defend these charges vigorously. ‘ Moultrie Cawood and Morehead were released on bond after making their initial appearances Tuesday before U. Magistrate Judge S.
DEFENCE PRDUCTIN AND R & D (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Jane's – Mar 25, 2008
4 million to the US. The largest ammunition plant is Igman near Konjic. This plant was built in 1963 entirely underground covering about 20000 m2 and consisting of five galleries and five parallel tunnels. The Igman plant can produce ammunition up to 20 mm and projectiles for 82 and 120 mm mortars. Explosives are produced in Tuzla and Sarajevo. The HAK (Chemical Alkaline Integrated) plant in Tuzla produces components for powder and explosives… The SPS plant is equipped with French-designed machinery and is capable of producing powder for heavy artillery the Plamen and rkan Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) systems; 57 and 128 mm air-to-ground rockets; Strela-2M shoulder-launched missiles and plastic explosives. Military research and developmentIn 1993 the Bosnian government re-established several institutes for defence research in Sarajevo and Zenica. These institutes were involved in the design of new weapons the modification of existing weaponry and defence co-operation with foreign countries. In addition the Department for Military Engineering at the Sarajevo University Faculty for Mechanical Engineering organised special courses in artillery missiles and engines and there was a research institute in Banja Luka specialising in communications and guidance equipment. However these accomplished little beyond the theoretical studies were never substantially supported by any of the cash-strapped entity governments and have since closed or been diverted to other activities more in keeping with Bosnia’s EU membership aspirations. Sentinel Country Risk Assessments – The Balkan Countries Jane’s Sentinel Country Risk Assessments provide you with in-depth up-to-date and accurate data and analysis on the latest events and trends in political security and economic affairs. They provide a comprehensive one-stop information source covering 190 states and 30 territories.
Virtual Manufacturing Technology A Big Factor Behind Ford’s Continuall…
WebWire – WebWire (press release) – Mar 25, 2008
Ford Motor Company’s use of virtual manufacturing technologies is a big factor of what’s behind the company’s soaring quality performance. As an industry leader in virtual technology Ford uses digital tools to predict and eliminate on-the-job injuries as well as ensure manufacturing feasibility part by part. “The goal of our virtual manufacturing tools is to drive compatibility between the product design and the assembly plant process” explained Dan Hettel chief engineer Vehicle perations. “We validate each assembly process virtually to ensure that it can be completed with quality. The quality results of our recent launches show that the virtual process is working. “The approach has helped see Ford’s quality improve 11 percent last year in the United States versus 2 percent for the industry average according to a Global Quality Research System study conducted in 2007 by RDA Group for Ford. Virtual Ergonomics: Jack and Jill on the LineFord employs advanced motion capture technology commonly used in animated movies and digital games with human modeling software to design jobs that are less physically stressful on workers… We’re seeing improvement in every one of those metrics and our virtual technology is a factor” said Allison Stephens Ford ergonomics technical specialist with Vehicle perations Manufacturing Engineering. Stephens demonstrated to media today the ergo technology in a virtual assembly plant. An engineer outfitted in a digitized harness gloves and head gear installed a virtual center console exactly as a plant operator would. The engineer’s size and movements were captured and loaded into a computer program redrawn as a digital employee an avatar called Jack and displayed on a large screen. The human modeling software then determines the ergonomic and quality impact on the assembly-line work. Changes can be made quickly and efficiently to the vehicle or part design to avoid adverse impact. Ford has integrated ergonomic requirements into product design specifications and customer quality checks.
Bloomberg.com: Investment Tools
Bloomberg – Mar 25, 2008
13)Capital expenditures (2) 15854 52 35003 146Total assets 232125 13518 232125 13518Total liabilities 125249 5278 125249 5278—————————————————————————————————————————————————-(1) See Investments in ABCP below for further explanation. (2) Includes expenditures on property plant and equipment and oil and gas interests. Permitting and Community Relations Activities (See SignificantSubsequent Events) During 2007 the following permitting and community relationsactivities were attained: – We received approval from the BC Environmental Assessment ffice("BCEA") for proposed design and infrastructure changes from theoriginal Tulsequah Chief Mine Plan which enhances operationalefficiency and has a smaller environmental footprint; – We received our Mineral Exploration Code II Permits in two phases(MX-I and II) and ccupancy Licence to Cut from the BC Governmentallowing us to construct certain roads and an airstrip at theTulsequah minesite; – We received from the BC Government a five-year Project ApprovalCertificate extension to December 2012 relating to our originalProject Approval Certificate during which time mining operationsmust substantially commence; – We submitted a federal and provincial barge-access amendment to ourexisting Environmental Approval Certificate and provided the stateregulatory authorities of Alaska with updated information forproposed river barging operations; and – We executed a letter agreement with the Taku River Tlingit FirstNation ("TRTFN") that establishes a workplan and funding framework toassist with the evaluation of the newly-proposed river-basedtransportation system for the Tulsequah Project. The provincial amendment process has taken longer than anticipatedmainly due to its transboundary aspect and the scope of review theBCEA has chosen to undertake. The public process is complete and theworking group of stakeholders has formed subcommittees to deal withspecific issues prior to formalizing recommendations to the BCGovernment. We now anticipate this formal process will conclude in2008-Q2… Aheavy helicopter lift was conducted in November and December to bringin all the key remaining items. Under our initial Mineral ExplorationCode Permit I (MX-I) we constructed a four-kilometer access roadawaiting to link up with further road work to be constructed underour MX-II permit. The underground mine design was completed resultingin a simplification of the design contemplated in our FeasibilityStudy. 2007-Q4 versus 2006-Q4 ur 2007-Q4 and 2006-Q4 results have not been reviewed by independentexternal auditors. il and Gas Revenue Interest and ther Income and Interest andFinancing Charges During 2007-Q4 our oil and gas revenue interest and other incomewas $1. 8 million compared to $0. 1 million in 2006-Q4.
Altair Announces New Reseller Agreement with CYBERNETICS Expanding…
sys-con.com – Mar 25, 2008
a leading global provider of technology and services that empower client innovation and decision-making announced a new reseller agreement with Romanian-based PLM solution provider CYBERNETICS Srl. The new agreement allows CYBERNETICS to sell the Altair HyperWorks computer-aided engineering (CAE) technology suite to Romania-based companies within the region’s growing advanced manufacturing industries including automotive aerospace consumer goods plant & equipment design. In addition to Altair’s software solutions CYBERNETICS will also provide local support and professional consulting services for Altair and its new and existing customers. “ur main objective is to consolidate our leadership position in selling and implementing complete PLM solutions” said Eugen Mihaila CE CYBERNETICS Srl. “In order to do this we have to take into account that Romania is an emergent market attracting many investors particularly in the automotive industry. As such we took the initiative to assess our existing software portfolio and technical expertise to ensure that Cybernetics is prepared to support the unique needs and requirements of these rapid growth market segments… a leading global provider of technology and services that empower client innovation and decision-making announced a new reseller agreement with Romanian-based PLM solution provider CYBERNETICS Srl. The new agreement allows CYBERNETICS to sell the Altair HyperWorks computer-aided engineering (CAE) technology suite to Romania-based companies within the region’s growing advanced manufacturing industries including automotive aerospace consumer goods plant & equipment design. In addition to Altair’s software solutions CYBERNETICS will also provide local support and professional consulting services for Altair and its new and existing customers. “ur main objective is to consolidate our leadership position in selling and implementing complete PLM solutions” said Eugen Mihaila CE CYBERNETICS Srl.
Bloomberg.com: Investment Tools
Bloomberg – Mar 25, 2008
(NYSE: RTI) announced that it hassigned a long-term supply agreement with Tronox LLC that will provideRTI with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) from Tronox's HamiltonMississippi titanium dioxide plant located contiguous to RTI's sitefor its new titanium sponge facility. As previously announced by theCompany this facility is being built to support RTI's long-termagreements with Lockheed Martin and Airbus. It is expected to beginoperations in 2010. Engineering design and planning as well as theplacement of orders for long lead-time equipment have been completed. Environmental permits are expected to be issued in the middle of thisyear… As previously announced by theCompany this facility is being built to support RTI's long-termagreements with Lockheed Martin and Airbus. It is expected to beginoperations in 2010. Engineering design and planning as well as theplacement of orders for long lead-time equipment have been completed. Environmental permits are expected to be issued in the middle of thisyear. "We are pleased to be meeting all of our milestones for our newpremium grade sponge facility and are especially excited about theformal establishment of our relationship with Tronox" said Dawne S. Hickton Vice Chairman and CE. "I'd also like to thank Governor Haley Barbour the MississippiDevelopment Authority and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce fortheir commitment to bringing jobs to the great state of Mississippi.
Expansion plan creates jobs at engineering firm
Peterborough Evening Telegraph – Mar 25, 2008
Elsome Engineering is recruiting 20 staff for its 3000 sq ft manufacturing and services plant in Anglia Way Wisbech in a move that is expected to cost about £50000. The factory will specialise in the production of the hygienic components such as hoppers chutes and pipe work needed to handle food produce during various stages of processing and packaging. Work to fit out the factory is already underway and production is expected to begin on site next month. Senior engineer Chris Thornton who will head up the factory said: “We will provide the region’s leading food manufacturers with a fully integrated service that understands the live production environment. “We will have a skilled team that will be able to effectively and efficiently deliver a seamless transfer of operations which avoids any disruption or delay.