In the Headlines: Chemical company fails to report off-site transfers and disposal methods of hazardous chemical
The manufacturing industry is in a perpetual state of change. New technologies, policies, regulations, and company initiatives keep altering the role and perception of manufacturing in America. Every day, there’s a new plant, industry acquisition, research report, or law, and staying up to date on the latest information can prove difficult. Here’s what’s happening this week, in case you missed it.
Compressed Air Challenge announces Q1-Q2 2024 training schedule
Training sessions are available both in-person and as webinars, and include new course "Compressed Air System Assessment & Project Development."
ABB acquires mobile robotics navigation start-up Sevensense
Swiss start-up Sevensense, a leader in AI-based navigation, enables the highest levels of speed, accuracy and autonomy of mobile robots, one of the fastest growing robotics markets.
Chemical manufacturer fined $101K for inaccurately reporting activities involving hazardous chemicals
According to the EPA, COIM failed to accurately report the off-site transfers and disposal methods of 1,4-Dioxane, in their Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reports.
Crown Verity invests $9.7 million to expand operations at Kentucky manufacturing plant
The company hopes this expansion will increase manufacturing capabilities and allow the manufacturer to consolidate its fabrication operations.
Solar manufacturer to build first U.S. production facility in Texas
The facility will have an initial capacity to manufacture 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar modules annually with a projected capacity of up to 5 GW by 2027.
Pepsi Guam Bottling to pay $133K for exposing workers to amputation hazards
The company must correct the safety failures found during the investigation, as well as implement a comprehensive safety and health program.
Boat manufacturer to pay $134K for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The company’s Neodesha, Kansas, production plant creates a large amount of hazardous waste and did not comply with regulations designed to prevent the release of such waste.
IFS names Mark Moffat new CEO
Moffat takes over from Darren Roos, who has been appointed as the company’s Chair of the Board.
Cooling equipment manufacturer invests $16.5 million to expand production in Tennessee
BAC has experienced growth in its dry coil and adiabatic cooling equipment businesses, and the expansion will allow the company to make strategic infrastructure improvements.
Manufacturer fined $275K for 32 serious safety violations after two workers suffer injuries
The investigation began after two workers were injured on the job, suffering an eye injury and foot injury.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
Thomas WilkThomas Wilk
editor in chief
Thomas Wilk joined Plant Services as editor in chief in 2014. Previously, Wilk was content strategist / mobile media manager at Panduit. Prior to Panduit, Tom was lead editor for Battelle Memorial Institute's Environmental Restoration team, and taught business and technical writing at Ohio State University for eight years. Tom holds a BA from the University of Illinois and an MA from Ohio State University
