Rolls-Royce lands $20M maintenance contract
Rolls-Royce Corp.’s local operation won a $20.3 million contract extension to provide maintenance services for the helicopter engines it makes for the U.S. military, the Department of Defense said Monday.
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Auto industry bailout pulls Kokomo back from brink
Kokomo's fortunes have been entwined with the auto industry since 1894, when Elwood Haynes invented one of the first automobiles in the United States there. Since the 1930s, when then-Delco (later Delphi) located there, followed by General Motors and Chrysler, the auto industry has been the town's bread and butter.
The root of Indiana’s myriad problems
Longtime economist Morton Marcus says the objective truth is that Indiana is in decline. He also insists the solution is a change in the culture, not just job creation.
Feds’ $50M loan to automaker could create 900 jobs
The Department of Energy will announce on Monday it is giving a $50M loan to Vehicle Production Group, which makes wheelchair accessible vehicles in Mishawaka. Officials say they expect the loan to create more than 900 jobs in an economically ravaged part of Indiana.
Indiana Limestone sold to Ohio company
A Cleveland-based private equity firm called Resilience Capital Partners has purchased Indiana Limestone Co. from Johnson Ventures. Terms were not disclosed.
Truck manufacturing might ramp up 56 percent in 2011
An expected push to refresh the oldest North American commercial trucking fleet in at least 31 years should boost sales at partsmakers like Columbus-based Cummins Inc.
Company thinks it can make college textbooks obsolete
An Indianapolis company has developed Web-based software that allows college students to read and electronically mark up textbooks, articles, chapters of books, etc. It also has a business model that its owners think will make more money for publishers and slash students’ textbook costs—which average $1,200 a year—in half.
Allison Transmission, key supplier continue court battle
The dispute reached a boiling point early this year when the supplier, Allison’s sole supplier of bonded piston seals, threatened to stop shipping.
Printpack closing 230-worker Greensburg plant
More than 200 workers will lose their jobs when packaging materials maker Printpack Inc. will close its Greensburg plant early next year, the company said in a notice filed this week with the state Department of Workforce Development.
Sale of Tipton plant to solar company delayed
Abound Solar's deal to take over the unfinished Getrag factory in central Indiana has been delayed, although the company doesn't expect changes in its plans.
GM shares jump in return to Wall Street
General Motors' return to Wall Street was well received Thursday, as the company’s stock closed up 3.6 percent in its initial public offering.
South Bend to lose 250 jobs with Bosch closing
Auto parts maker says it will close its South Bend facilities by the end of 2011 and will offer about 170 of the 250 employees who work there jobs in other states.
Automotive supplier plans 200 new jobs at Butler plant
Multimatic Inc. plans to expand its northeast Indiana production operation, adding new assembly lines as it aims to create over 200 jobs by 2013—more than tripling employment there.
Motor maker Remy plans expansion driven by electric vehicles
Motor maker Remy International will embark on a major expansion next spring to satisfy growing demand from makers of hybrid and electric vehicles—and Madison County officials think they’re well positioned to land the jobs.
Purdue website calculates asteroid damage
The site is “scientifically accurate enough” to be used by the Department of Homeland Security and NASA, but friendly enough for elementary school students.
ChaCha approaches web-traffic milestone
Traffic to the site hit a record high of 18.5 million unique visitors in October, making it the fastest-growing in Quantcast’s top 100 websites.
PROXY CORNER: Bell Industries Inc.
Bell Industries Inc., 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1700 (www.BellInd.com), is a holding company for Bell Techlogix and the Recreational Products Group.
ExactTarget aims to deliver ads through new channels
E-mail is merely one component of e-mail marketer ExactTarget’s explosive growth of late, which included last month’s announcement of 500 new jobs by 2015. ExactTarget’s software-as-a-service platform has expanded to include mobile devices, Facebook and Twitter.
Did Lilly get preferential treatment on a disputable billboard ad?
Billboard companies spiked the cancer ad. But Citizens Gas or WellPoint might have gotten a different result.
Fishers valve maker plans expansion
Nexus Valve Inc. plans to invest $2.3 million to expand its headquarters and distribution operations, adding up to 21 jobs by 2015.