Cummins (CMI) has revealed that it will recall about 270 production employees at its Columbus Midrange Engine Plant (CMEP) in Walesboro, Indiana. A temporary increase in orders for the Dodge Ram turbo diesel pickup truck engines made at the plant has led to the recall. The workers had been laid off or transferred to other Cummins facilities over the last year. Dodge Ram pickup – manufactured by Chrysler – is powered by Cummins’ 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine. The orders have increased as Chrysler seeks to build inventory for its 2010 Dodge Ram pickup. Consequently, Cummins plans to temporarily add a second production shift at CMEP on Oct. 19 that is expected to operate through the end of 2009. The recall will boost the plant’s workforce to 600 hourly workers. The company began production of the 2010 Dodge Ram engines in mid-September with approximately 340 production employees ...

Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, Paccar Inc. (PCAR) announced the delay in the commissioning of its diesel engine plant near Columbus, Mississippi. Paccar attributed the delay to adverse economic conditions that have impacted truck demand. The plant, which was scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2009, will now start production in late 2010.

Paccar is engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. The company markets heavy-duty diesel trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF brands. The company's trucks are used for over the road and off the highway to haul freight, petroleum, wood products, construction and other materials. Paccar's upcoming plant in Mississippi will manufacture 12.9-liter and 9.2-liter diesel engines for Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF vehicles.

Back in 2007, Paccar had signed a contract with the state to provide 500 jobs at the Mississippi plant by 2013. According to the

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Coming to a skirmish near you: MRAPATVsFirst there were ATV -- All Terrain Vehicles. Then came MRAP(V)s -- Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicles. Put them together and what do you get? Correct: Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected All-Terrain Vehicles! Give that man a UAV!So, why do we need MRAPATVs? Well, in turns out that the current models of MRAPs are OK for deployment on the IED-laced "paved" roads in Iraq. However, for the "Istani" campaign (yes, there is now more than one "stan" with which we must contend), there aren't many paved roads (they are, however, fairly-well lined with IEDs).This has the consequence that the axles of the existing MRAPs -- which, like the almost extinct Pontiac, are relatively wide-tracked -- are snapping. Hence, we need a new, improved off-road model...really quickly!Accordingly, our military is now testing newer MRAP-types at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland ...