Baxter Closes Biggest Factory; CEO Ordered to Return Yacht; Milford Turns 100 | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 190

Also on the podcast, Rolls-Royce makes one-off rainbow paint, chemical plant fire in Georgia, Blue Polymers breaks ground on recycled plastics plant, Britain closes last coal plant and startup wants to build houses with beer waste.

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The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Sikich. Supply chain challenges, like inventory shortages and late deliveries from suppliers, have exposed weaknesses - shrinking profits for 93% of companies in the past five years. We are at a turning point, businesses can modernize their supply chain management, or scramble to survive when something goes wrong. Download 7 Key Areas for Modernizing Distribution to unlock seven key areas of supply chain management that enterprises can leverage to retain their market share and stay ahead of disruptions. Download it now.

Every week, we cover the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

Rolls-Royce Spends Year Developing Rainbow Paint for Single Client - @3:09

Rolls-Royce sells exclusivity, it markets greatness, and the company recently showed off a new paint that is one of one.

Over 90,000 Georgia Residents Sheltering After Chemical Plant Fire - @15:34

On Monday, some 90,000 residents east of Atlanta were told to shelter in place, and businesses were told to remain closed, a day after a fire at the BioLab chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia.

Auto Industry's Oldest Test Site Turns 100 - @25:22

Last week, General Motors celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Milford Proving Ground, the oldest test site in the automotive industry.

Disgraced Ex-Nissan CEO Ordered to Return Luxury Yacht - @33:56

Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was once a highly regarded executive, but he was arrested in Japan in 2018 following accusations of misappropriating company funds and violating securities laws.

Baxter Closes its Biggest Factory Amid Hurricane Helene Flooding in North Carolina - @43:29

AccuWeather estimate of total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene to between $225 billion and $250 billion. Amongst the wreckage is medtech company Baxter International, which was forced to close its largest manufacturing facility due to flooding in North Carolina.

In Case You Missed It

Startup Makes Construction Materials Out of Beer Waste - @53:51

The co-founders came up with the idea while sipping beers on their dormitory couch.

Britain's Last Coal-Fired Electricity Plant Is Closing - @58:18

In 1990, coal provided about 80% of Britain’s electricity.

Blue Polymers Breaks Ground on Recycled Plastics Plant - @1:03:56

Blue Polymers last week broke ground on a new recycled plastics production facility in Buckeye, Arizona. The 162,000-square-foot plant is expected to create more than 60 jobs and open next year.

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