MOLINE, IL—Deere & Co. is using artificial intelligence and machine vision to detect and fix porosity defects in welds on its tractors.

COLUMBIA, SC—Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. will build a $41 million assembly plant here to make hydraulic excavators, creating 131 new jobs.

JOLIET, IL—Union workers have rejected Caterpillar Inc.’s latest contract offer and walked off the job at the tractor manufacturer’s assembly plant here.

BISMARK, ND—Bobcat Co. plans to expand its assembly operation here and to eventually hire about 200 more workers.

WATERLOO, IA—Deere and Co. will invest $70 million to expand manufacturing capacity at its farm tractor assembly plant here.