Square D Services Plant Tour van sets summer schedule
The Square D Services Plant Tour van from Schneider Electric, designed as a rolling showroom for equipment and capabilities, will visit 33 locations across the United States in summer/fall 2008. The van has logged more than 120,000 miles since its 2005 debut and has been visited by over 14,000 people at more than 1,300 sites nationwide. The Plant Tour van will make stops in primarily the western and southwestern U.S. between June and October 2008.

In addition to life extension, equipment optimization and electrical safety solutions, new displays in the van include a Square D Masterpact circuit breaker test unit; electronic board repair; enhancements to power monitoring solutions; and an electrical joint temperature monitoring system utilizing spread-spectrum wireless with Modbus TCP communications. The tour offers free lunch-and-learn seminars such as arc flash facility safety requirements and equipment life extension options.

Here is the Plant Tour van schedule for summer/fall 2008:
   June 2-6 – Pittsburgh, Pa.
   June 9-16 – Columbus, Ohio
   June 16-20 – Indianapolis, Ind./Cincinnati, Ohio
   July 7-11 – Denver, Colo.
   July 14-18 – Denver, Colo./Billings, Mont.
   July 21-25 – Salt Lake City, Utah/Boise and
         Idaho Falls, Idaho
   July 28-Aug. 1 – Seattle and Spokane, Wash.
   Aug. 4-8 – Eugene and Portland, Ore.
   Aug. 11-15 – San Francisco, Calif.
   Aug. 18-22 – San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif.
   Aug. 25-29 – Sacramento and
         Stockton, Calif./Reno, Nev.
   Sept. 8-12 – Fresno and Bakersfield, Calif.
   Sept. 15-19 – Los Angeles and Ventura, Calif.
   Sept. 22-26 – San Diego, Riverside and
         Orange County, Calif.
   Sept. 29-Oct. 3 – Las Vegas, Nev.
   Oct. 6-10 – Tucson and Phoenix, Ariz.
   Oct. 13-17 – El Paso, Lubbock and
         Abilene, Texas
   Oct. 20-24 – Tulsa and Oklahoma City,
         Okla./Little Rock, Ark.

For more information, call 888-SQUARED or visit http://www.squared-services.com.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Coleman Cable launches Eco-Logical Smart Strip surge protectors
Coleman Cable Inc.’s new Eco-Logical Smart Strip surge protectors protect electronics from damaging power surges and also lower electric bills, too. When devices, such as computers, are plugged into the Control Outlet and then go into “sleep” mode, the Smart Strip automatically cuts power to peripherals such as monitors, printers and speakers. The Smart Strip will quickly pay for itself in energy savings and then continue to save electricity and money.

All electronics draw power even when they are in a sleep mode or turned off. A printer can use up to 30 watts in sleep mode, which can add up to about $27.00 a year in energy costs. Other computer peripherals and home entertainment equipment can draw over 50 watts while standing idle. The energy being consumed by all of these ‘sleeping’ electronics can really be significant.

The Smart Strip is a high-performance surge protector available in either seven or ten outlet models and comes with two or three ‘Always-On’ outlets for use with equipment that should not be turned off such as fax machines, cordless phones or cable and satellite receivers. For more information, visit: www.colemancable.com.

back to top

****************************************************************************

MAPI Quarterly Report: Evidence that U.S. slowdown, financial crisis impacting key industrialized regions
Despite storm clouds, a stable global slowdown remains possible
Recent data offer persuasive evidence that the U.S. recession and financial crisis are having a material impact on the near-term prospects for economic growth in key industrialized regions, most notably Canada, the Eurozone, and the United Kingdom, according to a new report. But while weaker growth is likely in these areas, there are not signs of significant instability in the global picture and a “soft landing” for industrialized countries and overall world growth remains within reach. Further, economic activity remains robust in South Asia and East Asia outside of Japan.

In the MAPI Quarterly Forecast of U.S. Exports, Global Growth, and the Dollar: Second Quarter 2008 Through Fourth Quarter 2009 (ER-652e), economist Cliff Waldman predicts a weaker but still stable global economic climate, although forecast risks are clearly on the downside in a world in which multiple concerns include virtually uncharted financial uncertainty. Much, he argues, will depend on the implementation of appropriate policies, particularly by central banks.

“The mixture of considerable short-term U.S. weakness, and a world economy whose strengths have grown with the evolution of new and dynamic markets, has created a cloudy outlook, the likes of which the forecasting community has not confronted in decades,” Waldman said. “Most likely, in the absence of further financial shocks, accommodative but stable monetary policies by key central banks should produce a period of slower but stable world growth.”

U.S. exports should continue to be somewhat of a safety valve for the domestic economy in the next 18 months. As weaker global growth and a weaker dollar offset each other, U.S. export growth in 2008 is expected to remain essentially unchanged from 2007 at 8.1 percent. Moderately stronger growth in the industrialized countries outside of the U.S., in tandem with the continuing benefits of a weaker dollar, should result in a modest acceleration of export growth to 8.7 percent in 2009.

Growth in non-U.S. industrialized countries, which include Canada, the Eurozone (plus Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Sweden), and Japan, will be a weak 1.8 percent from the second quarter of 2008 through the end of the year. If, as anticipated, the U.S. economy recovers, growth in these countries should accelerate to 2.0 percent for the first half of 2009 and then to 2.2 percent for the second half.

The likelihood of a modest but stable slowdown in the Chinese economy, and its likely impact on the East Asian region, supports MAPI’s forecast that aggregate GDP growth in developing countries will slow from 5.4 percent during the second quarter of 2008 to 5.2 percent during the second half of 2008. The downward trend is expected to continue, decelerating to 5.1 percent growth during the first half of 2009, 5.0 percent during the third quarter of 2009, and 4.9 percent during the fourth quarter.
MAPI predicts that the dollar adjustment will likely continue through next year.

Waldman forecasts that the dollar will decline by 3 percent on a compound annual basis against the currencies of industrialized trading partners during the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2008. As the U.S. economy regains some footing in 2009, the dollar will experience a 2 percent decline during the first quarter, followed by a flat performance during the second and third quarters, and a 2 percent appreciation during the fourth quarter.

Against the currencies of the developing countries, MAPI forecasts a decline of 10 percent during the second and third quarters of 2008 and a 5 percent decline during the subsequent three quarters. MAPI anticipates a 3 percent decline during the third quarter of 2009 and a flat performance during the fourth quarter.

“The much welcome appreciation of East Asian currencies highlights one potential legacy of the current period of economic uncertainty and financial turmoil,” Waldman added, “which is greater stability in global current accounts and stronger global financial stability over the long run.”

For more information, visit Website: www.mapi.net.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Broadband is not so broad in the U.S.
The United States is one the few industrialized nations that has not yet implemented a comprehensive policy to promote broadband internet access. Nations that have prioritized broadband infrastructure have already seen improvements. For example, Denmark improved broadband penetration between 2005 and 2007 from 25 to 34.3 connections per 100 inhabitants, while the United States has only improved from 16.8 to 22.1. The United States currently ranks 15th of the 30 developed countries in overall penetration as measured by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Expanding broadband infrastructure in the United States would not simply improve the speed of connections for entertainment purposes, but it will also bring a wealth of knowledge to more citizens in more areas and improve data exchange speeds for industrial users. With greater reach, the United States could see improvements in education, health care, and first-responder capabilities as communications become faster, more efficient, and more effective.

The United States has also fallen behind other countries in the deployment of new broadband technologies. For example, over 35% of Japan's internet connections are fiber optic, whereas only 3% of U.S. connections are fiber optic.

Countries like Japan and South Korea that have made broadband a national priority are already experiencing the perks of their fiber optic expansion. Average broadband download speeds are hitting 61-megabits per second in Japan, while the average in the United States is only 1.9-megabits per second. Even the “fast” connection in the United States of 5-megabits per second requires 15 minutes to download a 4.5 GB file, while the average connection in Japan needs just 1.25 minutes. This translates to a growing IT competitive disadvantage for U.S. companies.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Earth Resource Foundation targets the OC with 3rd annual Zero Waste Business Conference themed “Rethink and Redesign”
“Zero in on Zero Waste” June 5th at Ford Motor Company in Irvine
Earth Resource Foundation, the Southland’s leading authority on sustainable zero waste solutions, announced today the return of their “Zero in on Zero Waste” business conference. The one-day event will show Orange County businesses how reducing their waste stream can really make a lot of cents. “Zero In on Zero Waste” will be held at Ford Motor Company in Irvine, June 5, 2008, 8 am. Registration details are available at http://www.earthresource.org.

More than 200 business professionals from all over the state of California will converge at Orange County’s premier business conference aimed at reducing a company’s waste stream. Case studies will be presented by members of the Southern California business community who have moved towards Zero Waste to incineration, landfill and the environment and saved millions of dollars. These real life examples demonstrate how company-wide environmental practices positively affect the environment while adding high dollar value to a firm’s bottom line, and improving corporate image.

The journey towards zero waste begins with an audit that calculates the amount of waste being discarded by a company. Conducted top to bottom, the audit looks at everything from the energy needed to run the building to the contents of an employee’s trash bin. Leadership in the journey towards zero waste is essential, once the value of money, people, and planet is realized then the journey can begin. Greener offices are those in which management has successfully found ways to motivate its employees to adopt sustainable practices or come up with goals on their own.

Focusing on the new “R’s” of zero waste – rethinking and redesigning – topics to be explored at this year’s “Zero in on Zero Waste” conference include: developing green purchasing policies and practices; implementing green design in products and packaging; decreasing dependency on the industrial process; and eliminating hazardous waste.

Manufacturers, healthcare professionals, insurance brokers, printers and retailers are encouraged to sign up at www.earthresource.org.

back to top

****************************************************************************

MARCON 2008 “early bird” registration cutoff date is Friday, April 11
Register on-line and get up-to-the-date information at www.engr.utk.edu/mrc/marcon/
MARCON 2008 is co-located with the Plant Engineering & Maintenance Show, May 6-8, 2008 at the Marriott in Knoxville, TN.

MARCON is a forum for all—practitioners, specialists, educators, students, and even the new and uninitiated—to learn and exchange information on new and emerging technologies as well as on tried and proven methods and techniques in the area of maintenance and reliability engineering and management.

MARCON 2008 features keynote presentations by leading experts in the Maintenance & Reliability field, including: Dr. Harry McSween: Professor, author, and co-investigator for the Mars Exploration Rovers; John Mitchell, Author of the “Physical Asset Management Handbook;” and Dr. Bob Abernethy, the leading world authority on Weibull Analysis.

MARCON 2008 features three Informative Presentation Tracks
  • Asset Management Strategies
  • Best Practices/Case Studies
  • New Technology/Research
AND three pre-conference workshop choices.

For more information: call (865) 974-9625 or visit our website at www.engr.utk.edu/mrc/.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Lenox President Bill Burke named Group President of Newell Rubbermaid
Lenox, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, torches, solder and band saw blades, announces that Bill Burke has been appointed Group President - Tools & Hardware, reporting to Mark Ketchum, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newell Rubbermaid.

As president of Lenox, Bill Burke has led the Lenox Industrial Products and Services business since 2003. The Lenox brand has averaged double-digit growth during this period and become a significant platform for global growth behind strong branding, innovation, end user conversion and channel penetration.

Bill will retain responsibility for the North American LENOX business until a successor is named at a later date. Prior to LENOX, Burke was vice president and general manager of Black & Decker's product service division.

Lenox is a Newell Rubbermaid company. For more information, contact LENOX at 1-800-628-8810 or visit www.lenoxtools.com.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Brady to host free webcast: Using visual controls to boost overall equipment effectiveness
Brady Corporation will host a free webcast with Robert Williamson, President of Strategic Work Systems Inc, and author of “Lean Machines For World Class Manufacturing & Maintenance.”

The webcast will address how to use visual systems to improve equipment performance and reliability; simplify inspections, operations and maintenance. Mr. Williamson will share “visual machine” methods that he has developed and applied over many years as a consultant and trainer over at hundreds of facilities spanning a wide range of industries.

The webcast will also introduce Brady’s line of visual workplace solutions, which enable users to print custom labels, signs, tags and displays whenever and wherever needed. New features will be highlighted that simplify the creation of multicolor gauge labels, oil level indicators and other visual controls that can be used to simplify PM's and identify operating abnormalities at a glance.

    Date: April 29th, 2008
    Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST
    Hosted by: Brady Corporation
    Presenter: Robert Williamson, President,
        Strategic Work Systems Inc.
    Sign-up: www.bradyid.com/webinars

Presenter Robert M. Williamson is an internationally known educator, consultant, and writer on the subjects of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean Equipment Management. He has provided consulting and training to more than 400 plant locations over 35 years. Robert is an associate at both the University of Dayton, Center for Competitive Change, and at the Maintenance and ReliabilityCenter, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

He has also spent over 16 years studying the "secrets" of NASCAR equipment reliability methods, and is the "Lean and TPM" affiliate with PIT Instruction & Training, a nationally known motor sports pit crew training center located in Race City, USA (Mooresville, North Carolina).

Robert has written countless articles on Lean subjects including a cover story for MRO Today magazine.

Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs more than 8,600 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Brady's fiscal 2007 sales were approximately $1.363 billion. To learn more about Brady's complete line of products & offers visit www.bradyid.com.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Makita partners with Red Bull New York to build new soccer stadium
Makita, the Official Tool Sponsor of Major League Soccer, has expanded its presence in the sport and entered into a corporate partnership with MLS team Red Bull New York as the official power tool sponsor for Red Bull Park and Red Bull Training Grounds.

"As the official tool sponsor of Major League Soccer, Makita is familiar with the action, energy, and passion of this sport," said Ken Hefley, senior vice president of marketing at Makita USA. "We're excited to take our involvement in the game of soccer a step further and become an active partner with Red Bull New York in the construction of their new stadium. Clearly, this will become one of the top soccer venues in North America."

Makita USA, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of over 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has over 5,000 industrial accessories, and is already a Major League Soccer (MLS) sponsor. Makita will be the official tool supplier for both Red Bull Park and Red Bull Training Grounds, which will both be "Built by Makita." In addition, the Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) will air regular updates on the construction of Red Bull Park, in which Makita will be the title sponsor as the sole provider of power tools used on the site.

The stadium was designed by Rossetti Architects of Los Angeles, CA, and New Jersey-based Hunter Roberts Construction Group, LLC, is the project’s construction manager and general contractor.

In addition to its sponsorship of MLS, Makita is also a sponsor of the Mexican National Soccer Team during its 2008 tour of the US.

Red Bull New York
For information log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

Makita USA
Makita USA, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of over 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has over 5,000 industrial accessories. For more information, please call 800-4-MAKITA (800-462-5482) or visit the website at makitatools.com.

back to top

****************************************************************************

Upcoming business roundtable to give HR directors an “under-the-hood perspective” on Toyota’s successful recruitment and hiring
Former Toyota Executive, Author to Speak

    DATE: Thursday, April 24, 2008
    TIME: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
    LOCATION: ADP Elk Grove Village Office
    THE EVENT: The Toyota Culture: Driving Success
        with a Quality Workforce

Industrial HR directors from across the greater Chicago area will gain keen insight into Toyota’s successful hiring and recruitment practices at this business roundtable event. Keynote speaker is Mike Hoseus, former Toyota executive and co-author of a new book, The Toyota Culture: The Heart and Soul of the Toyota Way. The event is being co-sponsored by ADP and Select International (www.selectinternational.com), a Pittsburgh-based global provider of human resource assessment solutions. Following the presentation by Hoseus, attendees can participate in a discussion with representatives from both ADP and Select International. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online by April 18, 2008 at www.selectinternational.com/Chicago.

back to top

****************************************************************************