Alcoa to close Indiana smelter, cut 600 workers
Alcoa Inc. said it will permanently close its Warrick Operations smelter, one of the largest aluminum smelting facilities in the world.
Manufacturing
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84 Lumber to add manufacturing facility, 100 jobs in Franklin
The building materials supplier plans to invest $5.59 million to purchase, renovate and equip the former Trussway facility at 1850 North Graham Road.
U.S. manufacturing slows at fastest pace in six years
Struggling overseas demand and declines in commodity prices that are hurting investment in energy and agriculture continue to limit orders for American manufacturers.
Hillenbrand buying valve-maker for $132M
Batesville-based Hillenbrand's purchase will bulk up its Process Equipment Division, which generates about $1 billion of the company's $1.6 billion in revenue.
Renewable-energy firm to invest $180M in new facility
The operation, which is expected to employ 136 in Steuben County by 2019, will convert scrap plastic into ultra-low sulfur diesel and gasoline blendstocks.
Duke Energy battles to fend off cyberattacks
The country’s largest electricity company is on alert for attacks that aim to hamper the critical flow of power and is listening to U.S. intelligence agencies about potential threats.
UPDATED: University Loft reaps $3.5M from unfair-competition claims
The Greenfield-based furniture maker blew the whistle on a Dallas-based rival that failed to pay duties on furniture imported from China, the Justice Department said.
State gets federal grant to plan for impact of defense cuts
The $2.7 million grant will help pay for a study to analyze which manufacturers, cities and towns will be most affected by the cuts.
Dow’s merger plans with DuPont might hit antitrust roadblock
The proposed merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. would create the world’s largest agricultural-products company. But that’s bad news for farmers, according to some farm groups and antitrust experts.
U.S. industrial production registers worst month since 2012
U.S. industrial output fell for the third straight month in November, another sign that American manufacturers are under stress.
Software firm expanding SoBro headquarters
TCC Software Solutions bought a property on East 52nd Street in 2012 and began occupying one of the buildings in early 2014. Now the company plans to renovate another structure at the site to accommodate its growth.
Startup for therapeutic gear raises $3M on way to market
Fishers-based Recovery Force LLC, which develops high-tech compression wearables for medical patients, athletes and military members, is working toward FDA approval.
Dow Chemical, DuPont said to be in late-stage merger talks
The transaction would combine two of the most storied names in U.S. industry and create the world’s second-biggest chemical company. What it means for Indianapolis-based Dow Agro is uncertain.
Printer plans $3.8 million expansion, local jobs
Fineline Printing Group plans to add 18,000 square feet to its 53,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 8081 Zionsville Road on the city’s northwest side.
Email-signature startup lands VC from Godfrey, LinkedIn exec
Sigstr, whose software helps companies market themselves through email signatures, raised about $1.5 million from prominent investors across the country.
Angie’s List rival HomeAdvisor plans to hire 50 in Indy
The Colorado-based firm, which connects homeowners to service providers, expects to open a downtown Indianapolis office in February.
Startup seeks $2M to help employers fill low-skill jobs
The Indianapolis tech firm founded by Internet job-board veterans is focusing on the proximity of job candidates to the workplace for high-turnover positions.
General Electric calls off $3.3 billion sale to Electrolux
General Electric Co. has scrapped a $3.3 billion plan to sell its home appliance business to the Swedish company Electrolux, a deal opposed by U.S. regulators.
Return Path among outside tech firms bullish on Indy
Out-of-town technology companies are putting down roots here and growing fast. They’re looking to tap into relatively fresh talent pools and to capitalize on what cities like Indianapolis don’t have—a high cost of doing business and intense employee poaching.
Firms start early trying to entice science-oriented students
Dozens of companies across central Indiana are using programs aimed at middle- and high-school students to develop a pool of talented kids who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math to fill the growing number of jobs for which such skills are necessary.