IE5+ motor generation systems from Nord With its latest IE5+ motor generation, Waunakee, Wisconsin-based Nord Drive Systems aims to offer high-efficiency solutions to reduce energy and resource consumption in a variety of industries. Specifically, the company has now extended the power of its compact permanent magnet synchronous motors to 11 kW. Nord's high-efficiency IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) are characterized by "a constantly high efficiency of up to 9

FAA issues new rules to enhance safety between airplanes & helicopters U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a new measure this week to enhance safety in areas where helicopters often cross both arrival and departure paths near busy airports. The general notice (GENOT) , which suspends the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters, now mandates that air traffic controllers w

Nidec in damage-control mode over accounting scandal Nidec Corp. — the Japanese company that sometimes calls itself “the world's leading comprehensive electric motor manufacturer” — on March 13 announced the formation of an Executive Responsibility Investigation Committee to determine which current and former directors, auditors, and executive officers bear personal legal liability for an accounting scandal that has shaken the company to its foundations, writes Kevin Jones

Canadian utilities combining forces during wildfire season With wildfire season underway, three Alberta electric utilities are working together to deliver the safe, reliable electricity that Albertans depend on. The Government of Alberta’s recently released Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy highlights the important role utilities play when it comes to wildfire mitigation. As wildfires become more frequent and severe, the owners and operators of the electric transmission an

Applications open for Edison lineworker scholarship Edison International announced the launch of the 2026 Lineworker Scholarship March 19. Developed in partnership with IBEW Local 47 , it offers a pathway to careers in skilled trades within the energy and utility industry. The annual scholarship provides up to $25,000 each to as many as 12 recipients to enroll in Los Angeles Trade-Technical College’s Powerline Worker: Pole Climbing Certificate program and obtain a Class A c

Brazil makes its presence known at Hannover Messe Brazil is back on the global stage, says Hannover Messe. "With its strategic partnership with Germany and a forward-looking vision anchored in energy transition, green industry, and cutting-edge technology, the country is reaffirming its status as a vital force in the global economy and a key player in building a sustainable future," the world-renowned trade fair said in a recent press release touting one of its partner count

Industrial-grade fencing for utilities, worksites, and more Big Easy Fence Supply , a New Orleans-based fencing supplier and installer, has expanded its industrial aluminum fencing line. The new offerings include heavy-duty perimeter fencing, anti-climb designs, and custom fabrication for industrial properties like warehouses and manufacturing plants in southeastern Louisiana. This expansion addresses the unique material and regulatory needs of industrial facilities, which mu

An overview of the Hormuz effect on current oil prices and more The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its latest data in the form of an updated "Short-Term Energy Outlook" March 10. This report took into account the current war in the Middle East, along with other factors. Here are some of the findings from the report, from the EIA's official website: Crude oil price movements. The Brent crude oil spot price has risen sharply following the onset of military ac

Advanced Energy's latest series is designed for medical and industrial applications Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. , the Denver-based producer of power conversion, measurement and control solutions, launched the LPP200 series of 200 W ultra-low-profile AC-DC power supplies this week, per a March 12 press release from the company. The power supplies feature a profile of just 0.75 inches (19 mm), developed to enable greater levels of miniaturization in medical and industrial

More than a facility upgrade at Malloy: a reinvention of the panel shop Malloy Electric , an independent industrial distributor and service provider founded in 1945, has announced the formal relaunch of its UL508A and UL698A certified panel shop as what the company calls "the most automated industrial control panel operation in the United States." The relaunch pairs advanced CNC fabrication and automated wire processing with a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) system t

Indiana's Fronius expands product portfolio Portage, Indiana's Fronius is known for producing flexible, robust, and made for everyday welding. The company's new Ignis 250 expands the product portfolio with "a powerful device that enables manual arc welding to be performed with up to 250 A anytime and anywhere," per a March 4 press release sent to Electrical Apparatus. In addition to the familiar functions of the more compact models, the Ignis 250 boasts higher performance, g

Another update from Kitsault hints at trans-Pacific energy supplies As global energy demand shifts toward the Pacific Rim, Canada faces growing pressure to expand export capacity beyond traditional U.S. markets. While many major infrastructure projects encounter prolonged regulatory delays, Kitsault Energy (KE) is advancing a corridor-based solution designed to connect Western Canadian resources directly to international buyers. At the center of the proposal is the constructi

Brazilian motor company finds ways around coffee challenges With Brazilian coffee production facing challenges, one electric motor company is adapting quickly with efficient solutions. During the harvest period, when weather is a critical factor, the reliability of the equipment becomes crucial. Electric motors are present in stages such as transporting, drying, peeling and processing coffee, requiring continuous performance and compatibility with the operating conditions of

An excerpt from our upcoming report on the annual HVACR trade show What happens in Vegas…gets covered by trade publications when deemed necessary. For example: The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) wrapped up a “monumental” week in Vegas, taking over the Central and South Halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center at the beginning of February (2-4). 53,315 professionals–including engineers, sales channel partners, owners, contractors

Nu-Ice releases new line of ice blasting equipment Nu-Ice Blasting , the manufacturer of dry ice blasting equipment based in Jackson, Michigan, has outlined new methodologies for heavy oil sludge and chemical residue removal in industrial settings. This approach reportedly eliminates the need for harsh chemical solvents such as acetone or isopropyl alcohol. Utilizing dry ice tank cleaning , the process leverages a non-abrasive industrial cleaning method to clear contaminants

Magnolia energy site completed in Louisiana Blackstone Energy Transition Partners announced February 26 that it has completed construction of the Magnolia Power Generating Station, a 694-megawatt greenfield combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana, marking " the beginning of commercial operations at the plant," per a corporate press release. Blackstone, through its North American power platform, Kindle Energy, started developing Magnolia Power in 2021,

Conference Board's latest report paints an ambivalent picture The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January. The Present Situation Index —based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—decreased by 1.8 points to 120.0 in February. The Expectations Index —based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose

Early scoop on key voices for this year's event in Berlin CWIEME Berlin has announced its first confirmed speakers for the 2026 edition, bringing together leaders from research, materials, component manufacturing and power systems: • Dr. Anna Ermakova , University of Bristol • Niilo Härmä , Stora Enso • Dr.-Ing. Markus Brams , FISENS GmbH • Marco Gubitosa , Industrie Saleri Italo S.p.A. • Andre Xavier , Nidec Power Taking place May 19-21, 2026 in Berlin, CWIEME Berlin is wide

Additive manufacturing presents: the fully printed electric motor Material extrusion additive manufacturing can process a wide variety of functional materials including electrically conductive, magnetic, and mechanically compliant polymer composites. Is it possible that we've somehow overlooked (or perhaps undervalued) 3D printing, amidst the avalanche of digital innovations over the past few decades? Recent work from the Virtual and Physical Prototyping publication provides

Latest Whirlpool layoffs trigger heated response from machinists' union Whirlpool, the recognizable home appliance brand, announced February 18 that it will lay off close to 350 workers from its Middle Amana (Iowa) plant next month. The announcement triggered a heated response from a prominent union representing the displaced employees. In a news release Feb. 18, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers accused Whirlpool , which makes Whirlpool, Ama