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US manufacturing technology orders plateau in April

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At $372.50 million, total manufacturing technology orders in the US was down 26.6 percent from March and down 12.6 percent when compare with the $426.44 million reported for April 2012. The year so far is also down 7.0 percent compared to the same time period for last year.

Compiled by the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), the report represents the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national US orders data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment.

Analysis of manufacturing technology orders provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.

AMT President, Douglas Woods commented:

“Order totals levelled off to the averages we’ve seen so far this year, but they aren’t out of line with analyst predication. Likewise, the Purchasing Manager’s Index recently dropped below 50 – indicating contraction within manufacturing – but hiring continued to expand throughout the industry.

“With auto-sales strong, the housing industry showing signs of a true rebound and consumer confidence on the rise, we expect to continue seeing stead but slower activity.”

The breakdown of US manufacturing technology orders was also reported by region:

Northeast– totalled $72.29 million, unchanged from March but up 4.4 percent compared with April 2012. At $251.08 million, 2013-to-date is down 4.0 percent compared with the same period in 2012.

Southeast– totalled $35.16 million, down 3.3 percent from March but up 1.0 percent compared with April 2012. At $139.10 million, 2013-to-date is down 16.3 percent compared with the same period in 2012.

North Central-East– totalled $71.30 million, down 50.9 percent from March and down 34.6 percent compared with April 2012. At $434.94 million, 2013-to-date is down 2.8 percent compared with the same period in 2012.

North Central-West– totalled $69.88 million, 10.8 percent lower than March but up 30.0 percent compared with April 2012. At $238.30 million, 2013-to-date is 9.1 percent higher than the same period in 2012.

South Central– totalled $59.60 million, 10.8 percent lower than March and 30.7 percent lower than April 2012. At $257.42 million, 2013-to-date is 28.3 percent less than the same period in 2012.

West– totalled $64.27 million, down 19.6 percent from March but up 30.0 percent compared with April 2012. At $238.30 million, 2013-to-date is down 9.1 percent above the same period in 2012.

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Taking stock of e-procurement

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Written by Pedro Paulo, CEO, GatewitGateWit Logo.jpg

To read the latest issue of Manufacturing Digital, click here

Manufacturers are facing increasing cost pressures at a time when demand is fluctuating due to the faltering global economy.

In a recent industry survey, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply announced that the UK manufacturing had contracted for a second successive month in March. Weak demand from domestic and European companies was cited as a factor, but also the increasing cost of raw materials, fuel, utilities and food products were weighing heavily on profit margins.

Weak demand is a symptom of the global economic situation, with France, Italy and Spain also experiencing contractions in their manufacturing sectors despite being some of the largest European economies.

Forward-thinking Manufacturers, looking to improve their bottom line and reduce costs have started turning to e-procurement.

The roots of e-procurement

The technology is not an entirely new concept. During the 1990s, many businesses automated their supplier relations processes through the implementation of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems.

Internet-usage becoming more widespread within businesses ushered in an era of rapid growth in the adoption of online tools which promised to automate purchasing processes, leading to the appearance of a number of online B2B e-commerce sites.

However, the constraints on internet bandwidth available at the time and the questions of security related to e-commerce both served to cool initial enthusiasm for these solutions.

Since then the growing sophistication of web-based technology, particularly zero-footprint solutions sitting in the cloud, coupled with increases in available bandwidth, have been responsible for a renewed interest in e-procurement solutions.

For example, the EU has mandated that by 2016 all European public bodies should have implemented this type of solution to facilitate any public purchases. Estimates suggest that member states could cut purchasing costs by as much as 30 percent as a result.

Production Line.JPGE-procurement and manufacturing

In the face of such striking figures, plenty of industries are examining how e-procurement could benefit them. For manufacturers the main goal of the procurement team is to reliably facilitate the purchase of materials at the specified quality and the best possible price. E-procurement technology can be employed to support both of these goals.

Cost reductions in raw materials translate directly into increased profit, which is one of the key reasons why this is seen as the Holy Grail of manufacturing procurement. Manufacturers need to make informed purchasing decisions and the key to this is the provision of complete and relevant data on expenditure.

Spend analysis features within e-procurement platforms enable manufacturers to quickly analyse all purchasing data to show top suppliers, exact spend on specific components, which departments are spending most and what are the most purchased products. Having a clear, overarching view of accurate data enables cost reductions by providing intelligence on exact spending levels in a fast and efficient manner.

A major part of the procurement process is ensuring that lower costs do not mean lower quality or standards. One consequence of this quest for quality is the need to track supplier accreditations, such as ISO standards.

E-procurement platforms can provide a foolproof method of ensuring quality and compliance by showing at a glance which suppliers meet the required standard, and even the required renewal date for any expiring qualifications. This information can be used to rank suppliers and to select which companies to invite to tender.

Large manufacturers might have thousands of contracts on their books, all of which need careful management. Attempting this process manually is a painstaking and expensive task, and can lead to the lapse of contracts with suppliers and purchasers.

E-procurement solutions avoid that risk and enable manufacturers to keep tabs on all of their contracts, even offering alerts to ensure that contracts can be renegotiated in good time before they expire.

E-procurement solutions can even score suppliers on their performance to flag issues or underperformance. Typically companies which use a supplier assessment see a 20 percent improvement in supplier performance metrics such as on-time delivery, quality and cost benefits.

Manufacturers should be managing all supplier relationships to ensure compliance with agreed standards and to reduce risks, but for large companies in particular this can be a full-time job without the necessary technology.

Because of its reliance on purchasing raw materials, arguably manufacturing has even more to gain from e-procurement solutions than service industries. With costs of production increasing and demand static, manufacturers need to get creative if they are to maintain a competitive edge.

By focusing more on procurement savings manufacturers can boost the bottom line without sacrificing quality, and using e-procurement technology is a powerful enabler to unlock these benefits.

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Microsoft offer free Surface Tablets to educators

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Microsoft Corp is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to education by giving 10,000 of its latest tablet device to attendees, supported by workshops and sessions to showcasing how to integrate its use into the classroom.

The recent announcement forms part of Microsoft’s initiative Windows in the Classroom Surface Experience Project - providing an opportunity for educators to experience how a Windows 8 touch device makes learning come to life.  

CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Brian Lewis commented:

“Access to meaningful technology for all learners is at the core of ISTE’s mission, so there’s tremendous synergy between our goals and Microsoft’s generous investment in our 213 conference attendees. This bold move is illustrative of Microsoft’s commitment to the effective use of technology in education.

“It’ll be fantastic to watch attendees take their conference learning experience to the next level through the power of their new Surfaces and to hear about the ways they use them with their students.”

Now in its 34th year, ISTE’s annual conference and expo features an impressive array of professional learning and collaborative networking opportunities from across the globe. Recognised as one of largest and most interactive educational technology events in the world, more than 500 exhibitors and 4,500 industry representatives are on hand to offer solutions to help better prepare students in this digital age.

Vice President of US Education, Microsoft, Margo Day said:

“Educators using Surface RT have the best of both worlds: the wonderful experience of a tablet combined with a no-compromise experience of a fully-functioning laptop that includes Office and allows for creation and collaboration, not just consumption.

“Educators already using Windows 8 tell us they are able to get grading and planning done more quickly because they can multi-task and they can imagine new and personalised learning experiences for their students.”

To participate in the Windows in the Classroom Surface Experience Project, registered ISTE 2013 attendees may go to here to learn more on how to qualify. Educators must have a school official and/or ethics officer sign a gift acknowledgement letter provided by Microsoft and bring it to the ISTE conference in order to receive a free Surface RT device for their school.

ITSE 2013 takes place at the San Antonio Convention Center between June 23 and 26.

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Scanning the manufacturing supply chain with RFID

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Written by Andrew Moses, Managing Director, The Config Team – logistics specialists in providing pre-configured, off-the-shelf Andrew Moses.jpgsolutions in the complex area of SAP Warehouse Management

To read the latest issue of Manufacturing Digital, click here

Radio-Frequency Identification chips can be either passive or active; passive ones hold data that’s permanently burned onto the chip and can’t be edited or changed in any way. Active tags are more expensive to produce, but allow data contained within to be read, written or changed; including anything from test results and product characteristics to even customer or vendor specific data.

Previously, the cost of RFID tags was a prohibitive barrier to their widespread adoption, but now chips and readers are reaching cost-effective levels. From a software perspective, some Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as SAP’s WM and Extended WM solutions have been capable of RFID integration for quite some time, with implementation no longer requiring a total system overhaul.

These factors are leading warehouse managers and manufacturers to view RFID as an attractive option when looking to identify and track goods.

Inventory and production management

RFID tags can hold more information than labels holding 1D, 2D or QR codes. They are also more accurate than any other tracking method, virtually eliminating user error, and can be programmed with an algorithm to protect against counterfeiting.

In conjunction with a fully-integrated software solution, this means that managers can rely on accurate stock levels, allowing for the identification of potential shortfalls in stock which would impact production. Real-time information can also be used by WMS to optimise production through the streamlining of the supply chain process, for instance forecasting demand for raw materials or improving production scheduling based on current stock levels.

The burden on manufacturers can be further reduced if vendors pre-apply tags populated with stock data before parts are sent on to assembly, saving the time of having to enter data such as item details.

Easy access and enhanced traceabilityRFID.JPG

Assembly lines can be a challenging environment for components. Tagging raw materials correctly can ensure a seamless process, where the correct stock is issued at the right time to the right place on the production line.

Once a finished product is manufactured, tags on finished goods can help with track and trace. For instance, large and bulky parts must be housed outdoors and are subject to adverse weather conditions. This means that serial numbers have needed to be etched onto parts, or waterproof labels used.  Neither solution has been optimal, with serial numbers linked with minimal information which has traditionally been manually recorded, and waterproof labels being relatively expensive and not completely reliable, being easily damaged.

RFID chips avoid these difficulties and mean that there doesn’t have to be a direct line of sight when scanning information - incredibly useful when receiving and working with large, unwieldy or high volumes of parts. Smaller components can also contain RFID tags; if a case containing 150 items comes into the warehouse, each individual item can be scanned simultaneously, with records accurately updated accordingly.

Farther down the line

The accuracy and amount of data storage made possible by RFID benefits everyone involved in the manufacturing supply chain. With the data contained within an RFID tag, a WMS can utilise Advanced Ship Notices (ASNs), allowing warehouse operatives to receive order and shipment information in one simple, electronic transaction prior to goods receipt.

Even after undergoing partial or full assembly, an item’s status will be updated, meaning that at each stage of the supply chain, the receiver will know ahead of time exactly what it is being delivered. When operating a fixed-line supply chain, this will inevitably lead to enhanced visibility and greater efficiency, a must in the increasingly automated manufacturing business where the biggest hold-up is processing of stock.

Perhaps most exciting for a manufacturer is the potential RFID technology affords for innovation. The ramifications of dynamic data attached to parts and raw materials, information which can be written, re-written and added to, are enormous for the industry.

Companies could begin using such dynamic data to create dynamic supply chains, where for instance information was updated until the moment it passed to the customer without the need to change a label. Customers themselves could then exploit the power of RFID, using the data to accelerate goods receipt and know its origin and content.

RFID is playing a more important role than ever in the industry, but in reality its full potential is yet to be realised. It will be those innovative manufacturers at the leading edge, those maximising the capabilities of RFID, who will gain a significant competitive advantage through the emerging technology.

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China plans to scrap iron ore import licensing system

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Asking to not be named as he wasn’t sanctioned to speak to the media, the Chinese source has direct knowledge of the matter and said the move was an effort to open up an import market that takes two-thirds of world’s international iron ore trade.

As well as cutting costs for domestic steel mills by eliminating licensed middlemen charging commissions for imports; it could also mark the end of China struggle, alarmed by its growing dependence on imports and the dominant role played by the likes of Rio Tinto and Vale, to wrest pricing power away from the big miners by strictly regulating trade.

The source commented:

“China will open up its iron ore trade from the second half of the year. Import qualification licenses will no longer be required in order to make the industry more market-oriented and give steel mills more choices."

China imported a record 743 million tonnes of the commodity in 2012, up 8 percent from the prior year.

Under the new more streamlined process, iron ore traders will only require the same routine licenses issued to other importers and will no longer need approval by government-backed industry bodies like the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

The previous licensing system was part of China's efforts to provide the iron ore industry a universal voice when dealing with major foreign suppliers.

It was also aimed at stamping out unlicensed traders, blamed for driving up prices through speculative buying. A campaign which proved counterproductive as it created an unclear market where middlemen could rent out their permits.

CISA and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), which helps regulate iron ore trade on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, worked together to issue licenses to importers.

China has been trying to reduce government interference in the workings of the market, with its new leaders seeking also to streamline approval procedures to rejuvenate the country's slowing economy and promote economic reform.

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View Systems Announces William M. Pearse on Staff as Senior Advisor for Business Development

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BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) - View Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: VSYM), a rapidly growing provider of security products for schools, event planners, banks and government institutions, announced today that William M. Pearse has been retained by View Systems to assist with business development, sales and acquisition strategy.

Mr. Pearse has more than 30 years of experience in program management, business development, corporate and organizational strategy and internal and external corporate communications, all focused on making changes necessary to remain at the leading edge of market penetration.

Bill Pearse spent over a decade with EOD Technology (EODT). During his tenure at EODT, where he served as VP, Business Development and Strategy, EODT revenues rose from $10M to over $275M annually. Over that span, EODT was awarded several large foundational contracts with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, as well as in support of military and humanitarian operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Regional Director of Operations and Business Development at ABB Environmental Services, Bill developed and grew revenues from 0-$15M annually in only 3 years.

Mr. Pearse has a BS in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MS, Nuclear Engineering from Cornell University.

Bill Gaskill, member of the Board of Directors, View Systems, stated, "Mr. Pearse has an exceptional track record in growing business quickly. He will be a valuable member of our growth strategy, business development and sales team."

About View Systems: View Systems, Inc. manufactures and installs weapons detection identification systems, video management platforms and tele-data communication networks targeted towards correctional facilities, schools, courthouses, government agencies, event and sports venues, and commercial businesses. More information can be found at www.viewsystems.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and involve both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such uncertainties include, among others, certain risks associated with the operation of the company described above. The Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. 

X-ES Announces Freescale(TM) QorIQ(TM) T4240 or T4160-Based 6U VPX Module

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MIDDLETON, WI--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) - Extreme Engineering Solutions, Inc. (X-ES) introduces the XCalibur1840, a 6U OpenVPX module featuring the Freescale™ QorIQ™ T4240 or T4160 communications processor. Freescale's Power Architecture e6500-based T4240 and T4160 processors combine multiple 1.8 GHz dual-threaded cores, large caches, and high-performance networking capabilities with the next-generation AltiVec single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) engine to provide high-performance processing for both control and data plane tasks from a single system on a chip (SoC). Freescale's significantly improved next-generation AltiVec engine delivers DSP-level floating-point performance with 172 GFLOPS of vector processing capability, more than seven times the performance of its previous generation, while maintaining compatibility with an already extensive inventory of AltiVec software libraries. 

The XCalibur1840 can be built to support either the T4240 or T4160 processor. When configured for the T4240, the XCalibur1840 maximizes total processing performance with twelve dual-threaded physical cores or up to twenty-four virtual cores. The T4160 provides a lower-power solution with eight dual-threaded physical cores or up to sixteen virtual cores, ideal for platforms with more stringent Size Weight and Power (SWaP) restrictions. 

The XCalibur1840 provides a number of high-performance I/O interfaces, including sixteen lanes of Gen 2 PCI Express, four Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces, and front panel or backplane 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The versatile XCalibur1840 supports two XMC or PMC modules for additional I/O and processing flexibility, and it includes up to 24 GB of DDR3 ECC SDRAM across three channels. The XCalibur1840 is available in either conduction-cooled or air-cooled versions and supports 0.8" pitch or 1.0" pitch 2 Level Maintenance (2LM) configurations. 

Contact X-ES today to start using Freescale's high performance QorIQ T Series processors for your applications.

About X-ES -- Extreme Engineering Solutions, Inc. (X-ES), a 100% U.S.A.-based company, designs and builds single board computers, I/O boards, power supplies, backplanes, chassis, and system-level solutions for embedded computing customers. X-ES offers cutting-edge performance and flexibility in design, plus an unparalleled level of customer support and service. For further information on X-ES products or services, please visit our website: www.xes-inc.com or call (608) 833-1155.

Data Sheet: http://www.xes-inc.com/assets/products/files/XCalibur1840-DS.pdf
Press Photo: http://www.xes-inc.com/assets/photos/content/114111_XCalibur1840.jpg

Dual Use Submersible Vehicle Wins Prestigious R&D 100 Award for Battelle, The Columbia Group, and Bluefin Robotics

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COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) -  R&D Magazine bestowed one of its coveted R&D 100 Awards on Proteus co-developers Battelle, The Columbia Group and Bluefin Robotics.

Proteus, a new class of underwater vehicle that is unique in its ability to operate in either manned or autonomous mode, has been recognized as one of the best technical products of the year. With large payload capacity, long range, high endurance, and advanced autonomous behaviors, Proteus provides capabilities unavailable in other unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

The awards, known as the "Oscars of Innovation" in the science and technology world, recognize the most significant scientific accomplishments and products of 2012. Battelle, along with the national laboratories it has a role in managing for the U.S. Department of Energy, won a total of 17 awards, bringing its historical tally to 298.

"We're proud that this promising new vehicle has been recognized for the unique maritime technology and engineering accomplishment that it is," said Steve Kelly, President of National Security at Battelle and the Chairman of the Board for Bluefin Robotics.

Combined with its long range and large cargo capacity, this dual capability provides a highly flexible undersea vehicle that can transport divers or deliver payloads at distances of hundreds of miles without human intervention. Based on the heritage of the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) built by The Columbia Group and proven in operation with Special Operations Forces Teams, Proteus incorporates cutting edge autonomy software and high-energy-density batteries by Bluefin Robotics to dramatically expand the capabilities available to users of underwater vehicles.

The vehicle can be used for a variety of tasks including: payload integration, test and comparison; advanced autonomy development; long range and stand-off experiments; transporting and installing equipment on the sea floor; inspecting undersea infrastructure such as bridge pilings, undersea pipelines and oil rigs; and transporting divers and cargo.

Compared to conventionally-sized UUVs, Proteus markedly reduces the need for frequent launch and recovery for any of these applications and can carry much larger payloads or cover much greater distances than has previously been possible. In applications such as undersea inspection that now depend on remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs), Proteus can reduce the need for costly surface support ships because it can operate autonomously.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org. Contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or at delaneyk@battelle.org or contact T.R. Massey at (614) 424-5544 or at masseytr@battelle.org.

About The Columbia Group

The Columbia Group's Engineering Solutions Division has been designing and building large undersea vehicles for over 30 years, and is currently engaged in development of manned undersea vehicles (MUVs), autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated undersea vehicles (ROVs). With over 30 years of history supporting Navy Special Warfare, TCG brings a unique perspective to the development of undersea vehicles for the Navy. Located in Panama City, Florida, the Engineering Solutions Division is a design, development and prototyping, limited run production organization with two focus areas; undersea systems and countermine ground robotics. For more information, contact Ross A. Lindman, Sr. Vice President at (850) 234-8817, X302 or at rlindman@columbiagroup.com.

About Bluefin Robotics

Bluefin Robotics designs, manufactures and operates Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) systems and related technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in UUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle. For more information, please send your inquires to sales@bluefinrobotics.com or visit www.bluefinrobotics.com.


Surf Air Expands to the American Riviera; Adds Only Non-Stop Service Between Santa Barbara and Silicon Valley

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LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) - Today, Surf Air, the nation's first all-you-can-fly, membership-based private air service, added Santa Barbara to its daily schedule. The first flight departs Santa Barbara for the San Francisco Bay Area at 8:15 a.m.

"With the addition of another attractive destination, we look forward to offering our members increased flexibility in their travel options, whether for business or leisure," said Wade Eyerly, Co-Founder and CEO for Surf Air. "In the past month, we've watched members change the way they travel when presented with an all-you-can-fly model. The new Santa Barbara route will now allow pleasure-seekers a new and exciting way to leverage the service and will make business between Santa Barbara and Silicon Valley easier."

Launched just one month ago, Surf Air is a new, convenient and affordable way to fly between the Los Angeles metro area, San Francisco Bay Area, and now the Santa Barbara area. For a nominal monthly fee, members have access to unlimited monthly intrastate flights on executive aircraft to and from private air terminals. In addition, members receive guest passes, invitations to exclusive member events and access to a first-class concierge service.

"Surf Air's arrival in Santa Barbara is a game changer for my work with innovative startups and investors throughout California," said Founding Member Matthew Stotts. "Leaving my car and commercial airlines behind, Surf Air makes my travel up and down the California coast far faster and more productive. And now a weekend getaway to LA or San Francisco is just as easy."

Surf Air members have the "all-you-can-fly" choice of 16 conveniently scheduled flights each day between three key California destinations. Surf Air plans to expand its routes throughout California and across the nation in the coming months*.

In June, Surf Air received its FAA Operating Certificate and a B round of funding led by Velos Partners and Base Ventures. Additional investors include Anthem Venture Partners, NEA, Structure Capital, actor Jared Leto, TriplePoint Capital, Siemer Ventures, Baroda Ventures, Gilad and Eytan Elbaz, Rick Caruso, Jeffrey Stibel and Jonathan Schreiber.

For more information visit www.surfair.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

About Surf Air
Surf Air is an all-you-can-fly private air travel membership that provides business and leisure travelers with exclusive, hassle-free air travel, saving valuable time and money. The company provides first-class service on executive aircraft to and from convenient local airports in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles metro area, with extended service to additional locations to follow. Operating out of local mid-sized airports, Surf Air offers an affordable and sophisticated travel experience for frequent regional travelers. For more information please visit www.surfair.com.

*Expansion pending receipt of certification from the U.S. Department of Transportation

Woodward Executes New Revolving Credit Facility

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FORT COLLINS, CO--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) - Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWD) today announced that it entered into a new revolving credit agreement which replaces the previous revolving credit facility, and has an increased size and extended maturity compared to the previous facility. The new facility matures in five years, on July 10, 2018. The borrowing capacity has been increased from $400 million to $600 million. The facility also includes a $200 million accordion feature allowing the company, with participating lenders' agreement, to increase the company's revolving credit borrowing capacity to up to $800 million.

About Woodward, Inc.

Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of control solutions for the aerospace and energy markets. Our aerospace systems and components optimize the performance of fixed wing and rotorcraft platforms on commercial, business and military aircraft, ground vehicles and other equipment. Our energy-related systems and components enhance the performance of industrial gas and steam turbines, reciprocating engines, compressors, wind turbines, electrical grids and other energy-related industrial equipment. The company's innovative fluid energy, combustion control, electrical energy, and motion control systems help customers offer cleaner, more reliable and more efficient equipment. Our customers include leading original equipment manufacturers and end users of their products. Woodward is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Visit our website at www.woodward.com, and connect with us at www.facebook.com/woodwardinc.

The statements in this release concerning the company's future sales, earnings, business performance, prospects, and the economy in general reflect current expectations and are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from projections or any other forward-looking statement and we have no obligation to update our forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect performance and could cause actual results to differ materially from projections and forward-looking statements are described in Woodward's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 and any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Mainframe Meets Big Data: BluePhoenix Announces Partnership With SQLHA to Unlock Mission Critical Legacy Data

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SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) -  BluePhoenix (www.bphx.com) (NASDAQ: BPHX), the legacy application lifecycle company, announced a partnership with SQLHA. The partnership will deliver SQL Server Architecture and Performance Tuning services from BluePhoenix's ATLAS Platform.

"This is about unlocking all the data necessary to make big decisions," says Rick Oppedisano, BluePhoenix Vice President of Product R&D and Marketing. "Nobody wants to report on 60% of their data, especially if the other 40% is packed with decades of business value. Whether it's structured or not, legacy data is being integrated with data warehouses or converted to new, modern systems for analytics. This partnership delivers a solid foundation for these efforts, reducing risk while optimizing target system performance."

Officials from Microsoft have also noted this trend in the global enterprise. "By moving to SQL Server from the mainframe data stores, IT is able to deliver on self-service Business Intelligence (BI)," says Bob Ellsworth, Microsoft's Worldwide Director of Platform Modernization. "SQL Server's integrated analytics and reporting services enables the end-users to derive their own insights to drive quicker and better informed decisions."

SQLHA, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, globally delivers architecture, design, and deployment services for SQL Server. The partnership will deliver Architectural Validation and ongoing Performance Tuning services to BluePhoenix customers worldwide.

Customers with legacy systems can now leverage BluePhoenix to:

"No other provider in our space can offer this kind of end-to-end service," says Oppedisano. "This preserves the legacy business logic layer and generates a target environment with maintainable code. There are no code containers, emulators or third-party plugins. Therefore, customers don't lose years of intellectual property sunk into the legacy system and are free to develop or integrate in the manner of their choice," says Oppedisano.

"By partnering with BluePhoenix, we provide customers with best-of-breed migrations and SQL Server deployments that meet the needs of today as well as tomorrow," says Allan Hirt, Partner and co-founder of SQLHA.

Andres Cubero, CIO of BluePhoenix customer Jetro Cash & Carry, acknowledged the business benefits of this scenario. "The BluePhoenix solution enables us to maintain the business logic of the legacy environment while taking advantage of newer, more robust Microsoft technologies. We'll be able to process and share data between business groups quicker with less risk, creating a distinct competitive advantage for Jetro."

With BluePhoenix's ATLAS Platform, customers:

  • Reduce MIPS and Overall Mainframe Cost By 50%
    BPHX's Batch In The Cloud service leverages off-mainframe processing power to significantly reduce batch processing cost. Use cases for this service are detailed in BluePhoenix's website blog.
  • Unlock Legacy Data, Get the Big Picture
    Businesses looking to make better decisions based on data are hampered by legacy systems. BPHX's BI Enablement Services enable companies to integrate legacy databases like IDMS with SQL Server, DB2 and Oracle.
  • Modernize legacy COBOL, Natural, CA COOL:GEN apps and legacy ADABAS, VSAM and IDMS databases
    BPHX's Automated Translation technology is the only solution on the market that guarantees a 100% business logic and functionality match between source and target environments. Customers keep the best of their legacy system while moving to a modern codebase and infrastructure. This service translates legacy languages like Natural, CA COOL: GEN and COBOL to Java or C# and legacy IDMS, ADABAS and VSAM to DB2, SQL Server and Oracle.
  • Use Maintainable Code
    Our Automated Translators generate clean, maintainable Java and or C# code. This approach reduces project risk and gives the customer freedom of choice for their architecture, data tier and physical infrastructure.

For more on BluePhoenix: research, whitepapers and case studies are available on the company's website at www.bphx.com.

About BluePhoenix Solutions

BluePhoenix Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ: BPHX) is the leading provider of legacy application lifecycle solutions. The BluePhoenix portfolio includes a comprehensive suite of tools and services for automated database and application migration. Leveraging over 20 years of best-practice domain expertise, BluePhoenix works closely with its customers to minimize risk and provide a clear path from legacy platforms like COBOL, Natural/Adabas and others to modern solutions like SQL, DB2, Java and more. BluePhoenix customers come from diverse industries and vertical markets such as automotive, banking and financial services, insurance, manufacturing, and retail. BluePhoenix has 6 offices in the USA, UK, Italy, Romania, and Israel.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal Securities laws. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "will," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "predicts", "intends," the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Because such statements deal with future events, plans, projections, or future performance of the Company, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the effects of the global economic and financial trends; market demand for the Company's products; successful implementation of the Company's products; changes in the competitive landscape, including new competitors or the impact of competitive pricing and products; and such other risks and uncertainties as identified in BluePhoenix's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other reports filed by it with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, BluePhoenix undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.This press release is also available at www.bphx.com. All names and trademarks are their owners' property.

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Houston Stud Welding Company Develops New Tubing Spacers to Prevent Crevice Corrosion on Stainless Steel Tubing

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HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) - Houston stud welding company Sunbelt Stud Welding has developed an extraordinarily effective product that prevents crevice corrosion on stainless steel tubing. The Sunbelt Tubing Spacer (STS) assembly virtually eliminates corrosion at tubing supports by using I-Rod™ thermoplastic material to keep moisture from collecting. The I-Rod™ features specially-designed notches that allow water to escape and plenty of air to flow around the tubing while keeping it firmly in place within the hardware assembly.

The STS has received recognition, support and a recommendation by Charles Speed of N.A.C.E international. Mr. Speed has stated, "I am glad folks are recognizing the need to address crevice corrosion on hydraulic instrument tubing. Your product has great potential to address past errors in installation design."

Partnered with Deepwater Corrosion Services, Sunbelt Stud Welding is providing technical assistance and tubing supports for various projects and assets, which includes BP's Thunder Horse production platform where STS assemblies are being installed on the subsea production controls' hydraulic power unit (Subsea HPU). Plans are currently underway for additional areas of installation on Thunder Horse and other assets.

For additional information, please visit http://www.sunbeltstudwelding.com or contact Sunbelt Stud Welding, Inc. at 800-462-9353 for technical assistance.

Bowhead Opens New Western Regional Office in Las Vegas

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LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwired - July 10, 2013) -  UIC Technical Services (UICTS) and its Bowhead family of companies (commonly known as Bowhead) has announced the opening of its new Western Regional Office in Las Vegas, NV. The new office will serve as a key location for supporting the company's operations in the Western United States. One of the key responsibilities of this office is program management support for the Nevada Autonomous Systems Institute (NvASI). NvASI is a newly-formed non-profit organization whose mission is to build a business climate that promotes integration of unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) development within the state and to establish Nevada as the premier location in the world for the practitioners in the autonomous systems community. Key areas of development include operations, education, research, manufacturing, testing, simulation and integration.

Through the hiring of local talent and supporting NvASI and the State of Nevada's Office of Economic Development, Bowhead intends to help spur economic growth and development by bringing new opportunities and jobs to the State of Nevada.

Bowhead is hosting a Grand Opening event for the Western Regional Office on July 15, 2013. A number of dignitaries from local and state government, industry, and academia are expected to attend. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Las Vegas City Councilmember Lois Tarkanian are among the confirmed guests, along with top executives from UICTS and its parent company, Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation. Members of the media are invited to attend and tours of our office will be available during this event.

Details of the event are below:
Date: Monday, July 15th, 2013 3PM-4PM
Location: 777 N. Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 380, Las Vegas, NV 89107

About UIC Technical Services and Bowhead
UIC Technical Services (UICTS) is an Alaska Native 8(a) Holding Company committed to delivering the best quality, the best value and the best product tailored to our clients' needs. UICTS and its Bowhead family of companies (commonly known as Bowhead) provide defense, government and private sector customers with expertise in areas such as program management, systems engineering/integration, weapon systems acquisition management, logistics/supply support, software development, IT services support, risk management, training/simulation support, products procurement, and administrative services support. UICTS and its Bowhead companies are subsidiaries of the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation of Barrow, Alaska.

Manufacturing growth through innovation

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Written byJohn Hammann, Industry Principal for Manufacturing, SAP UK

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To read the latest issue of Manufacturing Digital, click here

Manufacturing – the current landscape

British industrial output rose in April for a third consecutive month, shown by a recent survey from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and advisory firm BDO, underlining the slow but steady nature of the country's recovery so far this year.

Historically, the UK manufacturing industry’s credentials have stacked-up well in terms of its overall value to the country. A sentiment underlined by the fact manufacturing generates between 11 and 12 percent of the UK’s overall wealth, 60 percent of exports and 2.6 million jobs.

On the other hand, global manufacturing must be cautious with its optimism. The closely-watched ISM index of US factories tumbled far below expectations. It’s the lowest since the depths of the crisis in mid-2009 and a clear sign that US budget cuts are starting to squeeze the economy. The news came just hours after HSBC said its index for China had also fallen, a major inflexion point for the world’s industrial workshop.

Spotlight on innovation

From conversations with partners and customers, it’s evident that businesses are confident in their own ability to drive growth and they have identified a number of opportunities to help deliver it. For the majority of UK manufacturers, innovation plays a critical role with 82 percent considering it “important” in helping achieve growth in 2013 and beyond, according to the findings of SAP’s Manufacturing Success research.

Despite all the signs pointing towards a continued investment in innovation, manufacturers appear to be divided on the merits. Some organisations remain focussed on investing to innovate and grow, while others take the primary stance of protecting themselves against risk. However, while investing in innovation is a calculated risk, it’s a risk that can bring benefits through improved business processes and product development.

Innovation nationsap2.jpg

While the current economic climate is a significant barrier for firms achieving immediate growth, interestingly it’s also the biggest driver in motivating businesses to innovate. Other significant drivers of innovation include changing customer demands, increasing sales and cost reduction/need for increased efficiency.

External pressures are forcing manufacturers to re-evaluate their processes and how they do business with their customers. It is how companies do business with others where organisations should place a greater deal of significance when looking to drive innovation.

In order to effectively innovate, it’s important for firms to build close relationships with their customers and also understand their customers’ customer. Having greater visibility of the supplier-buyer network is not easy to achieve, but true innovation is often built from a solid understanding of industry dynamics, drivers and relationships.

In the modern manufacturing environment, being able to develop creative ideas, address new and complex problems and deliver innovative products and services to global markets will be the capabilities most coveted by both countries and companies. But even more essential for innovation to flourish will be access to a workforce capable of driving it.

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With a plethora of technologies now available, manufacturers are able to harness a greater understanding of customers and their changing demands, greater innovation can allow businesses to form more valuable partnerships within their business network.

As a result, manufacturers can look beyond their own company to build their strength, allowing them to better integrate with suppliers, customers and even their competitors. However, in order for innovation to be most effective in the year ahead and beyond, businesses must have the right technology foundations in place to support their desired growth.

While organisations may have the desire and optimism to change their business, without the right tools in place to execute their objectives, their ambitions are unlikely to become a reality.

Manufacturers exploring the notion of investment in innovation, have an abundance of choices which to choose from, but breakthrough R&D and incremental improvements to existing products and services seem to be the most popular.

Through continued investment and innovation we will start to see some breakthrough with new data technologies and disruptive technologies impacting on not only the products but also to the process.

In a recent report released by KPMG, they have suggested 68 percent of manufacturers will invest in incremental R&D and 31 percent in breakthrough innovation in 2013 and further. The report also suggests that nearly half of large global manufacturers are planning mergers or acquisitions in order to compete in the industry.

Central to this is not thinking about innovation in individual silos, incorporating historical considerations such as products and services, but also in terms of thinking differently about business operations, processes, technologies and talent.

Dynamic manufacturers who put innovation at the forefront of their industries will be best placed to react to the changing marketplace and will emerge from the economic storm stronger than ever. The manufacturing industry is at a tipping point, we must react to the needs of our customers and partners. Innovation is at the forefront of this call to arms.

You can download the SAP Manufacturing Success report here

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Thompson Pump Announces Branch Location Move to Biloxi, MS

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Source: Thompson Pump

Port Orange, FL, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Co., Inc. headquartered in Port Orange, FL announces the recent move of their southern Mississippi branch from Pass Christian to a larger facility at 9257 West Oaklawn Rd. in Biloxi.

The new facility with 4,000 square feet situated on two acres near corridor I-10 is one of 21 Thompson Pump branches nationwide. The Biloxi branch office better accommodates the company’s growing customer needs for rentals, sales, parts and service in southern Mississippi and lower Alabama.

Under the direction of Branch Manager, John Thornton, and Salesman, Todd Cedotal, the fully staffed branch provides a full line of Thompson Pump products for sale and rental and the expertise to provide 24/7 service solutions for the toughest dewatering, bypass and special pumping applications, especially emergency response to hurricanes and flooding.

Customers can contact the branch by phone number 228-392-0870 or by fax number 228-392-0110.

“This move is welcomed by our staff as they continue to face increasing rental and sales demands in the Gulf region,” said Johnny Britt, Thompson Pump Gulf Coast Regional Manager. “The new and improved location provides for increased growth and will enable us to enhance our commitment to the highest quality customer service.”

Thompson Pump
Thompson Pump is respected worldwide for its sophisticated heavy-duty lines of high quality, high performance pumps, ranging in size from 2 to 24 inches. Thompson Pump sells and rents their entire line of pumps in the areas of public works, construction, agriculture, dewatering, mining, sewer/lift stations, and water/waste water. Types of pumps designed and manufactured by Thompson include wet prime trash pumps; dry prime trash pumps with compressor-assisted or vacuum-assisted priming systems; sound attenuated pumps; utility trash pumps; diaphragm pumps; hydraulic power units with submersible pump ends; rotary, vacuum and piston wellpoint pumps and high pressure jet pumps. With these different types of pumps, as well as a full complement of accessory hoses and piping, Thompson can supply the proper pump and system for any application. In addition, Thompson provides engineering services and special applications consulting for complicated wellpoint, bypass or multiple pump systems; and offers thorough pump and dewatering education and training through its Pumpology® courses.

Thompson Pump, a 43-year old family-owned company based in Port Orange, Fla., is a full-service manufacturer and provider of high quality pumps, pumping equipment and engineering expertise for the toughest dewatering, bypass and emergency pumping applications. Since 1970, Thompson Pump has assisted clients worldwide with pump rentals, sales, service, repair, design, installation and operational support. Thompson Pump operates sales, rental and service centers throughout the United States with 21 branches. The company is also aligned with distributors around the world. Thompson Pump is a Blue Chip Enterprise Award winner and their products meet the requirements for certification as defined by the Contractors Pump Bureau. Thompson Pump holds numerous product patents along with the registered trademarks of Enviroprime®, Silent Knight®, and Arctic Knight®.

The company achieved ISO 9001-2008 quality certification for their Port Orange manufacturing facility. Thompson Pump is one of only a very few pump companies to have obtained ISO 9001-2008 certification. The globally recognized certification was granted following independent testing and assessment of the company’s quality management systems and manufacturing capabilities.

It is common to see Thompson’s pumps on some of the largest and most challenging projects in the world. Whether the job requires cleaning up an oil spill in Alaska or the Gulf of Mexico, dewatering a construction site for a nuclear power plant in Georgia, widening the Panama Canal, raising a submarine in the Atlantic, moving an east coast lighthouse, fighting western fires, controlling floods in the Midwest, handling an irrigation project in Africa or dealing with a tragic disaster in New York, Thompson Pump is there. For more information, call (800) 767-7310 or log onto www.thompsonpump.com.

Follow Thompson Pump
Thompson Pump brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Contact Information:
Thompson Pump
Kirsten Petersen Stroud
800-767-7310 or 386-767-7310
Contact via Email
www.thompsonpump.com

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502225

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INVISTA’S CORDURA® Brand Expands Performance Line with Air Flow Technology (AFT) Fabric

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Source: CORDURA (R) Fabrics

Wichita, KS, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In collaboration with Taiwan-based Tiong Liong Corporation, INVISTA’S CORDURA® brand team expands its Air Flow Technology (AFT) fabric collection with new knit constructions featuring enhanced abrasion and snagging resistance combined with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Targeted primarily for outdoor, athletic and safety footwear, these highly breathable fabrics are also used in durable mesh applications often found in backpacks, as well as in performance apparel such as motorcycle jackets. The CORDURA® AFT fabric collection has now been expanded to include both high tenacity polyester and nylon 6,6 offerings in a wide array of knits capable of foam or felt lamination and 3D spacer fabric constructions which are particularly suited for sports footwear applications.

CORDURA® brand fabrics have a strong legacy in footwear. Abrasion resistant woven CORDURA® Classic fabrics have traditionally been targeted for applications such as outer shell fabric systems in military, safety and hiking boots. In the last ten years, innovative warp knitting developments by leading European mills have led to durable, lightweight, highly breathable knit CORDURA® AFT fabric solutions being provided particularly for footwear manufacturers. The latest CORDURA® AFT fabric innovations by Tiong Liong Corporation provide new styling and footwear construction options in polyester and nylon, with the addition of 3D spacer fabric technologies

Over the last 45 years, the CORDURA® brand team has strived to bring forth best-in-class durable fabric solutions. “Our markets continue to demand light, breathable fabric solutions that don’t sacrifice durability, and CORDURA® AFT fabric answers that call, particularly for footwear. Ultimately, our aim is to improve the end-user experience by supporting the development of lightweight products designed to withstand extreme conditions.” said Cindy McNaull, CORDURA® brand global brand and marketing director. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Tiong Liong, a leader in footwear fabric technologies, on this exciting addition to the CORDURA® fabric portfolio.”

The new collection of CORDURA® AFT fabrics introduced by Tiong Liong are lightweight, breathable solutions primarily designed for the outer shell footwear market particularly outdoor (hiking/trekking) and athletic footwear. The collection includes a 150-250 gsm PU coated polyester range for good rigidity and a 200-350 gsm range designed for felt lamination ideal for breathable outer shell fabrics often used in conjunction with inner membrane waterproof boot technologies.

Other authorized mills producing CORDURA® AFT fabrics include Vela Technologies, Italy offering a varied collection of fabric laminate systems; Sitip Industrie Tessile, Italy and Karizma Tekstil Limited in Turkey.

For more information about the CORDURA® AFT fabric collection by Tiong Liong or to request samples, please visit http://www.cordura.com/en/fabric-technology/aft-fabric.html or www.tioliong.com.tw. CORDURA® AFT fabrics will be featured at OutDoor 2013 Friedrichshafen, July 11-14, in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, July 31-August 3, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information visit CORDURA® brand at stand B4-204 in Hall B4 at OutDoor 2013 Friedrichshafen and booth 39213 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

About Tiong Long Industrial Co., Ltd.
Tiong Liong Industrial Co., Ltd. (TLC) was founded in 1976 as a small-scale laminating factory and has transformed into an organized corporation with many subsidiaries such as textile manufacturing, dyeing, hi-tech coating and lamination.TLC provides its customers with comprehensively integrated services and its innovation and technology has attracted many leading brands worldwide. Tiong Liong Industrial Co. Ltd. has been awarded certificates of ISO9001, ISO14001, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, UL, EN471, and bluesign® standard. For more information about Tiong Liong Corporation please visit www.tioliong.com.tw.

About CORDURA® brand
INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand essence celebrates individual durability: As Long As The World Is Full Of Durable People, We’ll Keep Making Durable Fabrics™. Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, CORDURA® fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world’s leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel. The CORDURA® brand is a registered trademark of INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses. To distinguish the CORDURA® brand, the word “CORDURA®” must be spelled out in all caps, used with an ®, and followed by the word “brand” or “fabric.”

To learn more about INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand, end-use products, and marketing tools please visit www.CORDURA.com.

About INVISTA
With leading brands including LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, STAINMASTER® and ANTRON®, INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers. The company’s advantaged technologies for nylon, spandex and polyester are used to produce clothing, carpet, car parts and countless other everyday products. Headquartered in the United States, INVISTA operates in more than 20 countries and has about 10,000 employees. For more information, visit INVISTA.com, Facebook.com/INVISTAglobal and Twitter.com/INVISTA.

Contact Information:
CORDURA(R) Brand Fabrics
Suzanne Shenk
919-844-2742
Contact via Email
www.cordura.com

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502301

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CORDURA® Lite Plus Fabric Offers New Standard for Lightweight Fabric Technologies

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Source: CORDURA (R) Fabrics

Wichita, KS, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In keeping with the brand’s "Durable Fabrics for Durable People™" focus, CORDURA® Lite Plus fabric, the innovative new addition to the CORDURA® fabric portfolio, will debut at this year’s OutDoor Friedrichshafen, July 11-14, in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, July 31-August 3, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Constructed from INVISTA’s family of highest tenacity Type 749 nylon 6,6 air bag technology fibers, CORDURA® Lite Plus fabrics are available in 210, 315, 420 and 525 denier (235, 350, 470 and 585 dtex) offerings. As compared with the brand’s current Type 725 Lite range, CORDURA® Lite Plus fabrics offer up to 2X increased filament density and lower denier per filament with increased/inherent higher coverage factor in weaving resulting in:

-Smoother/softer more supple fabric hand
-Tighter packing in weaving with less space/gaps for water or air leakage
- Ability to achieve equivalent hydrostatic results with less coating
- Ability to be packed or folded to fit smaller radius or seam

CORDURA® Lite Plus fabrics also offer >12% improvement in tensile strength compared to current Type 725-based CORDURA® Lite fabrics and provide significant performance advantage in fabric tensile and tear strength compared to fabrics made with normal tenacity yarns.

“Our CORDURA® brand DNA is built around pushing the boundaries of fabric durability,” said Cindy McNaull, global CORDURA® brand and marketing director. “Based on consistent input from our global outdoor gear and travel customers, we know they are looking for lighter fabrics that won’t sacrifice durability and performance. Our technical team worked with our valuable fabric mill teams to create high-performance fabrics that meet these requirements and live up to our decades-long standard of durable, versatile, and reliable fabric performance.”

Current constructions of CORDURA® Lite Plus fabrics include lightweight rip stops, dobby, plain and ballistic weaves, and are targeted at end-use applications such as technical packs, daypacks, messenger bags and luggage. Products showcasing CORDURA® Lite Plus fabric are in development and will be available as early as 2014.

For more information on CORDURA® Lite Plus fabrics, please visit the CORDURA® brand team at stand B4-204 in Hall B4 at OutDoor 2013 Friedrichshafen and booth 39213 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market or visit www.cordura.com.

About CORDURA® brand
INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand essence celebrates individual durability: As Long As The World Is Full Of Durable People, We’ll Keep Making Durable Fabrics™. Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, CORDURA® fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world’s leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel. The CORDURA® brand is a registered trademark of INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses. To distinguish the CORDURA® brand, the word “CORDURA®” must be spelled out in all caps, used with an ®, and followed by the word “brand” or “fabric.”

To learn more about INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand, end-use products, and marketing tools please visit www.CORDURA.com.

About INVISTA
With leading brands including LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, STAINMASTER® and ANTRON®, INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers. The company’s advantaged technologies for nylon, spandex and polyester are used to produce clothing, carpet, car parts and countless other everyday products. Headquartered in the United States, INVISTA operates in more than 20 countries and has about 10,000 employees. For more information, visit INVISTA.com, Facebook.com/INVISTAglobal and Twitter.com/INVISTA.

Contact Information:
CORDURA(R) Brand Fabrics
Suzanne Shenk
919-844-2742
Contact via Email
www.cordura.com

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502304

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ReliaSoft Breaks Ground on New Training Center for Reliability 3.0

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Source: ReliaSoft Corporation

Tucson, AZ, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- ReliaSoft Corporation broke ground today on a new state-of-the-art “Training Center.” The new training center is being built at ReliaSoft’s corporate headquarters campus on 1450 South Eastside Loop, Tucson AZ. Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2014. This six thousand square foot training center will include a large auditorium with state of the art audio, visual and computer equipment for the presentations and built-in computer work stations at each seat for the participants. In addition to the main auditorium, the new building will also include two classrooms and a common social area.

“The primary objectives of this new facility are to enable us to provide both a rich multimedia and cutting-edge educational experience to our attendees, as well as enable us to simulate real world analysis applications, involving multiple engineers working on the same project at the same time, and interconnected through our new Synthesis platform,” said Pantelis Vassiliou, ReliaSoft’s President & CEO. “With the upcoming release of our new platform, we wanted to build a true Reliability 3.0 Training Simulator so that we can continue to deliver the best-of-class training experience in Reliability Engineering.”

About ReliaSoft Corporation
ReliaSoft Corporation is the industry leader in reliability engineering software, training and services that combine the latest theoretical advances with essential tools for the practitioner in the field. Founded in 1992, ReliaSoft has evolved into a total reliability solutions company, offering tools and expertise focused primarily on the reliability engineering and quality needs of product manufacturers and maintenance organizations. Acclaimed for their ease of use, analytical power and unparalleled technical support, ReliaSoft's software products facilitate a comprehensive set of reliability analysis techniques, including life data (Weibull) analysis, quantitative accelerated life testing, system reliability and maintainability, reliability growth, standards based reliability prediction, FMEA, RCM, FRACAS, and other related analyses. The company also offers an extensive curriculum of reliability training courses that provide thorough coverage of both the underlying principles/theory and applicable software. ReliaSoft maintains an active R&D program and is firmly committed to enhancing the effectiveness and reputation of the reliability discipline through initiatives such as the International Applied Reliability Symposium, the Certified Reliability Professional (CRP) program, the weibull.com reliability engineering resource website, and others. To provide the highest possible level of customer service worldwide, ReliaSoft has established a network of regional centers in selected geographical locations, complemented by independent Sales and Support Partners/Distributors in specific countries within these regions. For more information, please contact the Corporate Headquarters or consult the Worldwide Directory.

Contact Information:
ReliaSoft Corporation
Doug Ogden
520-886-0410
Contact via Email
www.ReliaSoft.com
For more information on the new Training Center for Reliability 3.0, please contact Doug Ogden- Doug.Ogden@ReliaSoft.com, Vice President of Corporate Relations. For information on Reliability 3.0, please visit www.Reliability3.com or call (+1) 520-886-041

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502311

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Pluss Corporation Announces Integration with PeopleNet's Onboard Computing and Mobile Comm Systems

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Source: Pluss Corporation

Columbia Falls, MT, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Pluss Corporation a leading provider of Resource Management Software for truck and heavy-equipment dealers, distributors, fleet owners and repair facilities announces today that it has completed a seamless integration with PeopleNet's integrated onboard computing and mobile communications system, streamlining the end-to-end preventative maintenance of fleet trucks and trailers.

“This integration will save us many hours every month of data entry and greatly simplify the process of tracking and planning the preventative maintenance for our fleet of trucks,” said Tim Koenigsfeld of Siedhoff Distributing.

“We are integrating the exact number of miles each truck and trailer travels for Siedhoff Distributing,” said Kenny Nau Director of Sales at Pluss Corporation. “And allowing that information to accurately predict preventative maintenance requirements and directly track this information in the customer unit files and on work orders.”

The PeopleNet integration into PTM-Vision is now generally available from Pluss Corporation for all customers.

About Pluss Corporation: Pluss Corporation is a leading provider of Resource Management Software, consulting services and training for Dealers, Fleet Owners and Repair businesses primarily in the truck and heavy equipment market. Pluss Corporation's solutions feature modern windows based applications specifically tailored to truck and heavy-equipment parts, sales and service businesses.

Contact:
Kenny Nau, Director
Pluss Corporation
PH: (800) 835-9609
FAX: (406) 892-8611

Contact Information:
Pluss Corporation
James Hutchinson
1-800-835-9609
Contact via Email
www.pluss.net

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502625

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Educational Seminar for Manufacturers

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Source: Kasa Companies

Salina, KS, July 11, 2013 --(PR.com)-- An educational seminar, “LEAN as a Growth Strategy,” presented by industry experts Brad Muir and Gary Conner from Technical Change Associates will be held at the Courtyard Marriott, 3020 Riffel Drive, Salina, Kansas on Thursday, August 8th at 1:00pm, registration beginning at 12:30pm.

Brad Muir and Gary Conner together have more than 40 years of experience working with companies as they adopt the Toyota Production System as a waste reduction strategy. Review lean terms, techniques, and strategies… and discover how others have used LEAN to grow their companies.

Gary is the author of a number of books including "Lean Manufacturing for the Small Shop" and "Catapult the Cow."

You may register for the seminar, which is sponsored by IntelliFinishing by visiting www.leanfinishing.com.

IntelliFinishing is a provider of finishing systems to local equipment manufacturers and to companies like Raytheon and Caterpillar. IntelliFinishing is changing the mindset of finishing with controls and conveyance that move parts forward and backward, provides smart tracking and simplifies the management of part variety with a recipe-based system.

Contact Information:
IntelliFinishing, a Division of Kasa Companies
Laura Munsch
785-404-3604
Contact via Email
www.intellifinishing.com

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/502403

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