Weekly Update January 13, 2009

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CNC Machining, Foundry, Toolroom & Material Handling Equipment Stahl Specialty Company January 28 & 29, 2009 Kingsville & Warrensburg, MO USAFeatured Items:
Core Machines: RedfordFoundry Robot: ABB IRB-6400-120 (1999)Blast Cabinets:(2) Wheelabrator Finishing Cell: Auto Ladder Frame, With (4) Kuka RobotsCNC Horizontal Machining Centers: (3) LeBlond-Makino A99 4-Axis (1998); (4) LeBlond-Makino A77 4-Axis (1994-1998); (3) Mori Seiki MH-63 4-Axis (1993-1994); (4) Mori Seiki SH-40 (1997)
CNC Vertical Machining Centers: (2) OKK MCV-820 Furnaces; Toolroom Equipment; Forklifts Contact:Customer Service Americas 800 665 1042 (West) or 800 722 3334 (East)[email protected]

This Week's Metalcasting News Review

13,500 Jobs Cut in Alcoa Cost-Saving Plan In a far ranging strategy, Alcoa will reduce its global workforce by 13%, cut primary aluminum output by 18% of capacity, and sell off a series of product lines. Alcoa’s cast automotive wheels business unit is now available for sale. Read more

Rail Foundry Orders More Layoffs Amsted Rail in Granite City, IL, has given notice of a significant cut in employment to be put into effect by February 16. The plant was formerly operated as American Steel Foundries, and recently as ASD-Keystone. It produces steel castings for freight car and automotive manufacturing. Read more

Mabry Castings Touts ‘Lean’ Progress for Finishing Among the changes, Mabry installed better lighting, ergonomic workstations, and more efficient chain hoists. Also, it has increased its use of drop-bottom casting hoppers, which has resulted in a better material flow of castings, improved material handling, and reduced delivery times. Read more

Featured This Week

Outlook 2009: What’s left to say? There’s no turning away from bad news and low expectations, but metalcasting executives offer some perspectives that make it possible to see through the gloom. Read more

Forums And Blogs

REB Blog: Job numbers It’s likely that more companies will be slashing salaries, because it’s going to become clear very soon that eliminating jobs and cutting resources eventually becomes counterproductive. The remaining workers become overworked, or lose focus on their tasks, or get frustrated by the increase in demands on their time. Customer service suffers. Productivity suffers. Read more

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