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Industry Headlines
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Volkswagen to Add 500 Jobs at Supplier Park
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen officials said Friday that it is starting work on a 500-employee supplier park next to the main VW assembly plant that is due to go into production early next year. Frank Fischer, VW Chattanooga president, said work will start on the supplier park soon and it should be ready by June. He said it will feature two buildings that are each over 220,000 square feet. MORE
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Boeing Unveils Dreamliner Interior
SEATTLE—Boeing showed off the interior of a 787 Dreamliner parked at Paine Field and provided a glimpse of some advances on the 787 assembly line inside the factory. The partial passenger cabin installed in Dreamliner No. 3 will be used to test elements of the passenger experience, including air flow, noise levels and the heating and emergency oxygen systems. Meals will be prepared in the galley. Toilets will be stress-tested. MORE
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Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill to Add Manufacturers
MADISON—Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill Friday that will enable cities and counties access to unused bonding authority given under the federal stimulus law. The money could help manufacturers create jobs in the state. MORE
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Factory Orders Rose in December
WASHINGTON—New factory orders rose 1 percent in December, twice as much as the 0.5 percent gain economists were expecting. Orders have risen for eight of the past nine months. MORE
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Chinese Automaker to Set up Shop in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, AL—A former Chinese carmaker planning a hybrid car assembly plant in Alabama has lined up a veteran engineering and design firm while still trying to put together $1.5 billion in financing for the project. HK Motors wants to open an Alabama plant in 2013 that will provide 4,000 jobs. MORE
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Domestic Manufacturing Is Growing Faster Than Forecast
WASHINGTON—American manufacturing expanded in January at its fastest pace since August 2004, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Factories are stepping up production and companies are spending more on capital equipment. The pace of global manufacturing is also picking up in response to faster economic growth. MORE
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Electrical Products Assembler Saves $137,000 Annually in Energy Costs
EL PASO, TX—As part of its corporate sustainability initiatives, Leviton Manufacturing Co., a producer of electrical and electronic wiring devices, recently completed a capital investment project to reduce annual energy consumption and carbon emissions at its assembly plant here. The projects are expected to save the company more than $137,000 annually. MORE
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DOE Loans $1.4 Billion to Nissan
WASHINGTON—The Department of Energy has loaned $1.4 billion to Nissan North America Inc. to retool their Smyrna, TN, factory to assemble advanced electric automobiles and batteries. The two projects are expected to create up to 1,300 American jobs. MORE
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Wisconsin to Aid Displaced Auto Workers
MADISON, WI—Wisconsin will provide more than $2.3 million in additional assistance for about 1,400 displaced workers affected by the closing of the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville. MORE
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Geely to Double Volvo Output
BEIJING—Geely Zhejiang Holdings will nearly double Volvo’s annual global production with a new factory here as part of its plan to pull the Swedish automaker out of the red by 2011. MORE
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Auto Supplier Coming to Arkansas
HEBER SPRINGS, AR—Saint Jean Industries will add 250 jobs and invest $14 million in a new assembly plant here. The company makes aluminum parts for the automotive industry. MORE
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