Manufacturers help schools fill training void
Manufacturers—bedeviled by an underskilled labor force—seek highly trained graduates. Career centers—struggling with funding cuts—seek support from companies so classes can keep operating.
Auto Industry
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Carmakers report strong June sales after May slowdown
From mini cars to monster pickups, sales of vehicles charged higher in June and eased concerns that Americans would be turned off by slower hiring and other scary headlines.
Anderson’s former GM plants getting second look
Anderson officials said they are excited that companies have been showing interest in some of the industrial or commercial properties left by General Motors that need or are undergoing environmental cleanups.
Mishawaka factory retools for new wheelchair car model
The AM General factory in northwest Indiana started building the MV-1 car last year for the Vehicle Production Group.
Indianapolis fastest-growing companies run the gamut
This year’s list of fastest-growing private companies in the Indianapolis area is a diverse lot, operating in industries ranging from human resources to office furnishings to construction to home health care and games.
Columbus auto parts maker plans to add 50 jobs
NTN Driveshaft Inc. said it will add the jobs by 2013 as part of an $18 million expansion that will include purchasing additional equipment for its 1-million-square-foot facility.
Chrysler investment paying off at Kokomo plant
On the cusp of realizing the end result of a historic, $1.3 billion investment in Kokomo's plants, Chrysler officials here and in Detroit, Mich., are riding high.
Police car maker not giving up on Indiana plans
A company with plans for building high-tech police cars at an eastern Indiana factory has added a venture capitalist on board as it tries to raise millions of dollars to get off the ground.
Cummins hires ex-Indianapolis mayoral candidate
Melina Kennedy has joined the diesel engine maker’s corporate communications team and will be responsible for executive communications, research and speechwriting for CEO Tom Linebarger.
Subaru to add 100 jobs as part of $75 million expansion
Subaru already employs 3,600 at its Lafayette facility, with 600 workers added in the past three years. The expansion will ramp up production from nearly 171,000 cars a year to at least 180,000.
Local automotive supplier in line for new city incentive
A shorter-than-usual abatement plan during which no property taxes are paid for three years is expected to help Van’s Electrical Systems invest $427,000 to purchase and rehab a vacant building on the city’s west side.
Honda starts building new Acura hybrid at Greensburg plant
Production of the new Acura hybrid comes after the factory started last year building another alternative-fuel vehicle, the Civic Natural Gas.
Russian investor gives Ener1 fresh start
A Russian timber tycoon who poured millions into a battery maker with Hoosier roots is the new owner of Ener1 Inc. Boris Zingarevich supplied $50 million for Ener1’s March 30 exit from bankruptcy and is moving its headquarters from New York to Indianapolis—already home to its core subsidiary, EnerDel.
Local automobile dealers enjoy big month of sales
New car sales nationally rose about 13 percent last month as consumers replaced aging vehicles and took advantage of cheap financing. Sales were way up for many Indianapolis auto dealers.
Investors still may clean up on some clean-tech bets
The spectacular flameouts of some startup firms underscores the risk of relying on infusions of federal money to keep a business viable.
Honda looks to dealers to boost natural gas station network
Honda Motor Co. wants to double sales of its Indiana-made Civic Natural Gas sedans, but doing so
requires more fuel stations. The car maker wants some of its dealers to install pumps to sell the fuel.
Maker of truck bodies plans to add up to 350 jobs in Goshen
Supreme Industries said it will invest nearly $8 million to refurbish and equip facilities on its 100 acre-campus in Elkhart County.
Greencastle plant key in Ford’s environmental movement
Supplier to begin producing door part made from kenaf, a plant similar to bamboo but related to cotton.
Hybrid-vehicle hopeful Bright Automotive folding
Bright Automotive Inc., an Anderson company that once hoped to become a major hybrid-vehicle player with hundreds of employees in central Indiana, has called it quits after failing to land a $450 million government loan.
Covington manufacturer plans to add 68 jobs
Urbana, Ill.-based Flex-N-Gate Corp. plans to add positions by the end of the year as part of a $5.1 million expansion at its plant 75 miles west of Indianapolis.