Latest news with #TodayinManufacturingPodcast
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fire at Crucial Supplier Plant Threatens Boeing's Recovery Plan
A fire that struck a factory critical to the aerospace industry could threaten Boeing's recovery plan as the plane maker looks for an alternative supplier of fasteners. In February, a fire that took several days to control broke out at an SPS Technologies factory in Pennsylvania. The facility, about the size of 10 football fields, developed, manufactured and supplied a line of fasteners. According to AeroDynamic Advisory Managing Director Kevin Michaels, the site provided nearly 15% of the aerospace industry's fastener supply. The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company depends on SPS for many parts in its 787 and 737 jets but did not disclose the exact quantity or whether Boeing could access blocked inventory. Ortberg did, however, note that a parts shipment set for release before the fire became inaccessible. Most Read on IEN: Today in Manufacturing Podcast: Boeing Closes Shadow Factory; Volvo's Counterfeit Part Problem; Micro-Factories Build Homes Boeing Closes First Shadow Factory Lawsuit Targets Ford's Odd Doors VW Bringing Back Physical Buttons Boeing will now explore other sourcing options. But some parts that the company uses in landing gear, engines and other areas have complex designs and must be made to withstand air travel, the Wall Street Journal reports. The incident comes as Boeing attempts to regain profitability after losing more than $35 billion since 2019. In November, the Journal reported that Ortberg said the company would not achieve positive cash flow until 737 MAX production reached 38 units per month. Boeing has made progress toward this goal by rolling out nine in December, about 20 in January and 35 in February. The company also recently closed one of its two shadow factories, which would pull mechanics and engineers from their regular work to focus on maintaining and repairing old planes rather than building new ones. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Customized Bentleys Now Come in 46 Billion Different Configurations
Of course we all love to buy products that are tailored to our specific wants and needs, but the idea of a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle seems almost impossible. But British automaker Bentley is going bespoke to the point of excess, and the automaker has recently announced that it can now offer enough configurations to create a uniquely custom Bentley for every person on earth. And then, every person on earth again. Then, again. You get the idea. Bentley's Mulliner division has been tasked with developing customized options for buyers of the brand's Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible, and those placing an order can configure their ride to an extreme degree. In fact, Bentley claims they can offer an eye-popping 46 billion different configurations. Most Read on IEN: Today in Manufacturing Podcast: Boeing Closes Shadow Factory; Volvo's Counterfeit Part Problem; Micro-Factories Build Homes Boeing Closes First Shadow Factory Lawsuit Targets Ford's Odd Doors VW Bringing Back Physical Buttons To start, the company recently expanded its color palette, and can offer any of the color options on trim and exterior parts in different glosses and finishes. As an example, says Carscoops, 'colored accents can be applied to the wing mirrors, the bumpers, the doors, and the wheels.' And speaking of wheels, you have some choices there too – the report says 'spokes and pockets of the wheels can be configured in contrasting colors, or pinstripes can be added around the circumference of the rim.' Supporting this effort is Bentley's online car configurator, which displays additional fabrics and color choices for the interior seating and finishes for surfaces – as well as an array of optional upgrades. While the physical toll might likely be decision fatigue, what's the financial one? Bentley's Continental GT starts north of $242,000. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian Brewery Selling ‘Presidential Pack' with 4-Year's Worth of Beer
The trade war between the U.S. and Canada is heating up as leaders from both countries trade 25% tariffs and other regulatory threats. At the center of the tariff tiff is booze, with Canadian stores stripping shelves of all U.S. alcohol in an act of patriotic solidarity. Brown-Forman, the producer of Jack Daniel's, said such boycotts will be 'worse than a tariff,' when it comes to the impact on the bottom line. Well, the fight has opened the door for the opportunistic and, on Friday, Moosehead Breweries based in Saint John, New Brunswick, unveiled the "presidential pack," a crate of 1,461 of the brand's Canadian Lagers—one beer per day of the Trump presidency. Most Read on IEN: Today in Manufacturing Podcast: Boeing Closes Shadow Factory; Volvo's Counterfeit Part Problem; Micro-Factories Build Homes Boeing Closes First Shadow Factory New Volvos Came with Counterfeit Parts Toyota's Best-Selling Trucks Have a Mud Problem The Presidential Pack is designed to help 'weather four years of political uncertainty' with one Canadian beer each day. The crate costs $3,490 plus tax and deposit, and it's available to residents of Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia—home delivery is even included. Founded in 1867, the same year as Canada, Moosehead Breweries is the last major brewery in Canada still owned by Canadians, according to the company. In the announcement, Moosehead said, 'While four years may seem like a long time, together, we will push forward, as we always do. One day, one well-earned beer at a time.' Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aptera Tests Exotic Solar Car in Mojave Desert
Automotive startup Aptera Motors announced that it conducted tests on its first production-intent validation solar electric vehicle in the Mojave Desert to evaluate its aerodynamics and energy efficiency. The development marks a significant milestone for the company, which has about 50,000 pre-order reservation holders. One of the tests involved coastdown, which measured the sEV's powertrain, rolling and aerodynamic losses. According to Aptera, the vehicle took more than three minutes to decelerate from 60 miles per hour to a full stop while traveling uphill. Co-CEO Steve Fambro commented that this period exceeded the measuring equipment's capabilities. Most Read on IEN: Today in Manufacturing Podcast: Handmade Car Factory; Lifesaving Jet Design; Ford F-150 Security Boeing Closes First Shadow Factory New Volvos Came with Counterfeit Parts Toyota's Best-Selling Trucks Have a Mud Problem A separate aerodynamic tuft test placed tufts to key areas like the vehicle gaps and wheel fairings to verify that real-world airflow aligned with the company's computer simulations. Aptera then monitored energy consumption during an extended highway drive cycle test that covered hundreds of miles. The results indicated that the company is on pace to achieve its target of approximately 100 watt-hours per mile. Fambro also revealed that Aptera is developing another validation sEV that aims to refine fit and flush around the vehicle's gaps and incorporate a design-intent weight profile with optimized parts. The company plans to run a full range test that drives the vehicle's battery to 0% and measures its real-world solar charging capabilities. Aptera debuted the sEV at CES 2025. According to the company, the vehicle's capabilities include up to 400 miles of range from one charge in under an hour, up to 40 miles of free driving per day powered by sunlight and more than 10,000 miles of solar-powered driving in sunny climates annually. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fancy Luxury Seats Are Holding Up Airplane Deliveries
It's a common refrain for aviation industry manufacturers: supply chain issues, coupled with complex manufacturing processes mean long lead times and, often, delivery delays. And while this extended timeline isn't new, a recent report suggests that there's an emerging reason behind that we haven't really seen before. CNBC says that increasingly luxurious first-class seats are holding up airplane deliveries. Most Read on IEN: Today in Manufacturing Podcast: Handmade Car Factory; Lifesaving Jet Design; Ford F-150 Security Boeing Closes First Shadow Factory New Volvos Came with Counterfeit Parts Toyota's Best-Selling Trucks Have a Mud Problem The 'big 2' in commercial airliners held earnings calls in late February and both illustrated similar issues. Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg said 787 Dreamliners at its South Carolina were sitting in wait of a seat certification process to be completed, because of changes in the cabinets and doors for business and first class. Ortberg called them 'pretty complex systems' that were taking 'longer than expected.' Experts say the changes likely allude to added extra inches in areas where airlines can demand much higher ticket prices – and it's not just a Boeing problem. Airbus, the European company with the other half of the commercial plane duopoly, is having similar issues. CEO Guillaume Faury told analysts that delays in seats and 'monuments' like closets and galleys were 'delaying the time at which [the company] can deliver a plane fully completed.' According to CNBC, a business-class seat can have about 1,500 parts. Newest models often feature seats that recline into beds or even feature their own door and customers are increasingly demanding even more comforts, including extra space. And if you're wondering whether it's all worth it, take this for evidence: Delta airlines said that, of its last year's sales, just 43% came from the main cabin. The remaining 57% of its revenue was derived from premium seat buyers and its loyalty program. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
