Industry Headlines

Harris to Build New Assembly Plant ROCHESTER, NY—Harris Corp. plans to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and logistics facility here for assembling tactical and public safety radio systems. MORE

In Indiana, Government Jobs Outpace Factory Jobs

INDIANAPOLIS—For the first time since before the Civil War and perhaps ever, more people in Indiana work in government than in all the factories in the state. Rocked by layoffs, imports and automation, workers in Indiana plants numbered 430,800 in January, while government at all levels, including schools and publicly owned hospitals, employed 442,800 workers. MORE

Company to Invest $303M in Michigan Battery Plant

HOLLAND, MI—LG Chem will build a $303 million lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility here that could create more than 400 jobs by 2013. Initially, the plant will make cells for the all-electric Chevrolet Volt. LG Chem estimates that over 50 people will be hired and trained in advance of the plant being operational, and more than 400 jobs could be created by 2013. MORE

Modine to Expand Tennessee Assembly Plant LAWRENCEBURG, TN—Modine Manufacturing Co. plans to relocate equipment to a facility near its existing manufacturing plant in Lawrenceburg. MORE

Siemens to Invest $135M in Carolina Plant RALEIGH, NC—Siemens plans to add hundreds of jobs as it expands a North Carolina unit into a global production hub for a type of gas-powered turbine for electric utility plants. The company plans to invest $135 million and create 825 engineering and manufacturing jobs in five years. MORE

Turbine Plant Coming to Vegas LAS VEGAS—A consortium of companies plans to develop a plant in the Las Vegas area that would employ about 1,000 people for manufacturing wind turbines. MORE

Cat Considers New U.S. Plant PEORIA, IL—Caterpillar Inc. is considering building a new factory in the U.S. to produce hydraulic excavators. The plant would produce several models currently made at Cat’s factory in Japan. MORE

Workers at ’Bama Benz Plant Sue for Pay TUSCALOOSA, AL—Fourteen maintenance workers at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Vance, AL, have sued the automaker, claiming they were forced to work during lunch breaks without pay. MORE

Innovation Expert to Speak at Assembly Summit

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL—Robert Brands, a nationally known expert on the product development process, will discuss how to bring innovative products to market at the second annual Assembly Summit in October. The author of the new book Robert’s Rules of Innovation, Brands will show you how to keep a steady stream of new products in the pipeline. For more information, visit www.assemblysummit.com.

Manufacturer of Tanks, Cylinders to Construct New Plant CHARLOTTE, NC—Anco-Eaglin Inc., a manufacturer of tanks, cylinders and other equipment used by food processing companies, has begun construction of a new 67,000-square-foot, $3.8 million factory near Interstate 85 and U.S. 311. MORE

Aerospace Supplier Opens Michigan Subsidiary CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI—Advanced Integration Technology, a provider of industrial automation and tooling for the aerospace industry, has opened a new subsidiary here. The facility deliver custom equipment, machines and tooling to manufacture and assemble commercial, business and military aircraft. MORE

How Can You Lower Your Assembly Plant Energy Costs? Find Out at Assembly Summit

CLEARWATER, FL— What are some easy things you can do immediately to lower your assembly plant’s energy bills? Find out at the Assembly Summit this October in Clearwater Beach, FL. Marty Sorrentino, senior engineer for Progress Energy, FL, will help you find the most common energy-wasters in your factories—whether individual assembly machines or entire assembly lines—and make them more efficient. For more information, visit www.assemblysummit.com.

Chinese Carmaker Ponders U.S. Assembly Plant SAN FRANCISCO—Chinesecar maker BYD Co. may build an assembly plant and open its North American headquarters in Los Angeles County. The plant could top 1 million square feet in size and create hundreds of jobs. MORE

Northrop Ends Bid for Tanker LOS ANGELES—Northrop Grumman Corp. dropped out of bidding for the U.S. Air Force tanker contract, giving rival Boeing Co. a lock on one of the biggest defense deals in U.S. history and dealing a bitter conclusion to Alabama’s five-year pursuit of the project. MORE

Freezer Manufacturer Marks One Year Without Worker Injury PLYMOUTH, MN—Freezer manufacturer CrownTonka is celebrating 365 consecutive days without an accident-related injury on the assembly line. MORE

BMW Facilities Earn LEED Certification WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ—Two of BMW’s U.S. regional distribution centers have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. MORE

What’s Your Carbon Footprint? Find Out at Assembly Summit

CLEARWATER, FL—If “cap & trade” legislation passes, every manufacturer will have to measure its carbon footprint. Do you know your facility’s footprint? Do you even know what a “carbon footprint” is? Find out at the Assembly Summit this October in Clearwater Beach, FL. Heike Lueger, Ph.D., chief environmental scientist of Carbon Solutions America, is one of 14 nationally known experts who will discuss the most pressing issues affecting manufacturers today. For more information, visit www.assemblysummit.com.

Solar Panel Manufacturer Coming to California ROSEVILLE, CA—Solar Power Inc. has received an initial commitment of $24.7 million from Sacramento County and is planning to open a manufacturing facility within the county to build high-performance solar panels. MORE

Idaho Gets Plastic Parts Plant COEUR D’ALENE, ID—Accurate Molded Plastics Inc. is erecting a 20,000-square-foot, $665,000 addition at its manufacturing plant here. MORE

Pella to Clean Up Hazardous Waste PELLA, IA—Pella Corp. will clean up hazardous waste releases into soil and groundwater from its door and window assembly plant here. MORE

New Plant to Manufacture Turbine Parts AMARILLO, TX—ZargesTubesca will break ground on a $5 million, 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility here to produce components for wind turbines. The facility will bring 100 jobs to Amarillo within five years. MORE

Toyota to Provide $250M to NUMMI Workers LOS ANGELES—Toyota will provide $250 million for workers who will lose their jobs when New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. closes next month. MORE

Detroit Diesel to Open New Engine Plant GRANITEVILLE, SC—MTU Detroit Diesel Inc. will open a new assembly facility here to build large engines for boats, trains and heavy equipment. MTU will invest $45 million in the facility, which is expected to bring 250 jobs over the next four years. MORE

JV to Focus on Fuel Cells ORLANDO, FL—General Automotive, a manufacturer of aftermarket parts, has entered into a joint venture with SenCer to develop SenCer’s UltraTemp ceramic composite materials for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly fuel cells. MORE

Factory Orders Rise in January WASHINGTON—New factory orders jumped 1.7 percent in January, the largest increase in four months. MORE

Supplier Wins Contract to Assemble Transmission Components LOUISVILLE, KY—Sypris Technologies has won a new multiyear contract with Eaton’s vehicle group to assemble transmission components for its commercial vehicle transmission business. MORE

Tata Motors to Build Mexico Plant MEXICO CITY—Tata Motors will build an assembly plant in central Mexico to produce the ultra-low-cost Tata Nano for the North American market. MORE

Boeing Chief: Washington Is Our Preferred Site SEATTLE—Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Monday that even though the company is creating a new 787 Dreamliner assembly line in South Carolina, Washington state is his preferred location for building future airplanes. MORE

Workers Wait as Toyota Stalls Mississippi Plant

BLUE SPRINGS, MS—Toyota has been hounded lately by production problems on several models. Problems with gas pedals, floor mats and brakes on various models have led to the biggest worldwide recall in the company's history. But the recall came well after the announcement that production at Blue Springs was on hold. Toyota officials insist the recalls won't derail the Blue Springs plant. MORE

Kyocera to Build Solar Panels at U.S. Headquarters SAN DIEGO, CA—Kyocera announced plans Wednesday to open a solar-panel-assembly line at its U.S. headquarters in Kearny Mesa. When it starts up in June, the assembly line will employ 65 to 75 people, company officials said. MORE

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