TULSA, OK—Whirlpool Corp. plans to expand its assembly plant here with the addition of a new $55 million factory distribution center. The warehouse will support increased production capacity and improve efficiencies within the appliance maker’s North American supply chain.

In June, GE Appliances, a Haier company, announced plans to invest $115 million to expand its refrigerator assembly plant in Decatur, AL. The investment will add 255 new jobs to the plant, bringing the total number of full-time employees there to nearly 1,300.

Many engineers will put great thought into selecting the proper type of fastener for their design, but overlook the importance of finish. When selecting the best finish for fasteners, it is wise to consider the following factors

LOUISVILLE, KY—GE Appliances announced Monday investments totaling more than $200 million to expand its dishwasher and laundry manufacturing facilities and add 400 new jobs here.

LOUISVILLE, KY—GE Appliances recently announced that it is the first manufacturer to offer full suites of connected appliances that work directly with the virtual Google Assistant, which is powered by artificial intelligence. This capability helps consumers more easily build and operate a Smart home.

How well an assembled plastic part performs depends a great deal upon how its component pieces are joined. Those made of strong, hard plastic may be fastened together or bonded. Thermoplastic pieces allow for even more options, including screws and rivets, various types of adhesives or welding, staking and being snap-fit.

Collaborative robots are an important element of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing initiatives. Many engineers are intrigued by these next-generation machines that can control force and work safely next to people on assembly lines without traditional safety guarding.

LA CROSSE, WI—Almost 500 production workers at the Trane assembly plant here are on strike, citing pay and forced overtime as top issues in contract negotiations.

According to a new study by P&S Market Research, global sales of self-piercing rivet technology (SPR) will grow at a cumulative annual rate of 26 percent between 2016 and 2022. P&S predicts manufacturers worldwide will consume 45 billion of the fasteners in 2022.

Sheet metal is still the material of choice for auto body components, white goods, electrical enclosures and other products.