U.S. industrial production up by 0.5% in November
U.S. industrial production increased in November as output at the nation’s factories reached the highest level since January 2019.
Manufacturing
Articles
Indiana-based forklift manufacturing giant getting new CEO
Jeff Rufener, president and CEO, plans to retire from Toyota Material Handling at the end of the month after leading the company for the past 10 years.
Planning questions emerge at tornado-destroyed candle plant
Eight of the 110 workers on the overnight shift Friday are confirmed dead and another eight are missing. More than 90 have now been accounted for, making the death toll lower than some had feared hours earlier.
GM venture picks Michigan for 3rd U.S.-based EV battery plant
General Motors and a joint-venture partner plan to build an electric vehicle battery factory in Lansing, Michigan. They say the plant would cost up to $2.5 billion and employ as many as 1,700 workers.
GM chief exec says making ventilators in Indiana changed company’s culture
CEO Mary Barra said General Motors now uses the same approach it learned making ventilators at a Kokomo factory for its own electric vehicles, software and partially automated driver-assist systems.
UAW votes for direct election of leaders in wake of scandal
Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.
Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices
Extreme weather and supply chain disruptions have reduced supplies of both real and artificial trees this season.
GM cites improved chip supply in raising financial guidance
General Motors raised its outlook Wednesday and said it expects to return to a normal production rate by the end of next year.
GM venture to build North American battery chemical plant
The plant will employ hundreds of people and will start making materials in 2024, said Doug Parks, GM’s global product development and supply chain head.
Allegion Ventures launches $100M technology investment fund
Allegion says it had such success with its first investment fund, which launched in 2018, that it’s now starting a second fund that’s twice the size of the original.
Samsung says it will build $17B semiconductor factory in Texas
Samsung said the new facility will boost production of high-tech chips used for 5G mobile communications, advanced computing and artificial intelligence, and also improve supply chain resilience.
Engineering firm to close two Lebanon facilities, lay off 62 employees
Kaufmann Engineering cited ongoing supply chain and labor disruption issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as the reasons for its decision.
Allegion plans $13M expansion of Schlage operations, 325 new jobs
Allegion said the expansion will not only enhance manufacturing and engineering capabilities in the state, but also expand its information technology and innovation expertise.
Deere workers approve third contract offer, end monthlong strike
The United Auto Workers union said 61% of its members approved the deal with Deere & Co. on their third vote, even though the new offer was strikingly similar to one that 55% of workers rejected two weeks ago.
Biden pushes electric vehicle chargers as energy costs spike
The president is hoping to do even more to promote electric vehicles, including a provision for a $7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy electric vehicles through 2026 that’s been floated as part of his proposed $1.85 trillion social services and climate bill.
U.S. industrial production rebounded 1.6% last month
U.S. industrial production rebounded as automakers posted strong increases and the adverse effects from a hurricane that struck the nation’s energy complex in the Gulf of Mexico faded.
RV company plans Indiana expansion, 500 jobs
Forest River expects to start production at the new site by the end of November, with the first travel trailer expected to come off the production line in early December.
Rivian rockets past GM to become 2nd most valuable carmaker
The California company’s market valuation exceeded Ford’s in its first day a public company Wednesday. Its shares rose 10% at the opening bell Thursday pushing its valuation over $90 billion.
Hershey buys Dot’s and Indiana pretzel maker for $1.2B
The chocolate company said it would acquire North Dakota-based Dot’s Pretzels LLC as well as Pretzels Inc., an Indiana-based manufacturer of Dot’s Pretzels and other snacks that operates three plants.
Economist: Pandemic recession has ended, but disruptions linger
Fifth Third Bank’s Chief Investment Strategist Jeff Korzenik told an Indianapolis audience Wednesday that the workforce crunch and sudden glut in downtown office space remain vexing problems, but Indiana is in solid position to take advantage of the return of manufacturing from overseas.