WASHINGTON—For 2013 as a whole, manufacturing production should increase 3.1 percent from 2012, according to the Manufacturing Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. Manufacturing is predicted to grow 3.6 percent in 2014, 0.8 percentage points faster than the overall economy.
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen’s assembly plant here has exceeded the economic impact projected when the company announced its initial investment in 2008, according to a new study by economists at the University of Tennessee. Including direct employment, employee spending and suppliers, the VW plant produced approximately 12,400 new jobs.
DAYTON, OH—In a new documentary, Made in the USA: The 30 Day Journey, film-maker Josh Miller sets out on a journey in which he attempts to live off of only U.S.-made products for 30 straight days.
MONTGOMERY, AL—Alabama gained 2,411 manufacturing jobs between April 2012 and April 2013, an increase of approximately 1 percent. The state is now home to 5,476 manufacturing companies employing 301,956 workers.
DEARBORN, MI—Ford will increase the production at its North American facilities by 200,000 units per year, which adds to an earlier capacity rise by 400,000 units in 2012.
HARTWELL, GA—OSHA has cited Tenneco Automotive for 13 safety and health violations following an inspection at the supplier’s assembly plant here. Proposed fines total $62,000.