Pace-setting firms share advice on diving into change, accelerating innovation
IBJ picked the brains of Indianapolis-area firms and organizations known for liquid thinking to discover how they open the spigot on innovation.
Manufacturing
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Baggott launches food-tech company ClusterTruck
Chris Baggott, one of ExactTarget’s three co-founders, said the main ingredients of the new startup are food trucks, delivery-only kitchens and Uber drivers. He predicts it will be a $1 billion company.
GM plans $1.2B in upgrades for Indiana truck plant
The project announced Tuesday includes new painting facilities, an expanded body shop and improvements to the truck assembly area at the factory near Fort Wayne that has about 3,800 workers.
Business investment climbs as factories thaw from winter
Orders to U.S. factories for long-lasting manufactured goods fell slightly in April. But a category that reflects business investment climbed for a second month, a hopeful sign that the key sector is starting to revive.
GM poised to reveal big investment at Fort Wayne-area plant
GM previously said it was considering upgrading the truck assembly plant to build its next generation of pickup trucks. The Allen County Council voted in October to approve a 10-year tax abatement that would save GM more than $15 million on a possible $1 billion investment in equipment and related improvements.
Steel Dynamics to make $100M Mississippi expansion
Indiana-based Steel Dynamics Inc. said it will invest $100 million to add more steel-finishing capacity at its mill in Columbus, Mississippi, and add 40 employees to the current 630 at the plant.
IUPUI professor’s winning car design mimics human rib cage
IUPUI professor Andres Tovar recently won an international automotive design competition by using advanced technology to mimic Mother Nature’s own blueprints.
Manufacturer plans major expansion, 131 new jobs
The world’s largest manufacturer of automobile emission-control systems plans to expand its North American headquarters in Columbus, adding 131 workers by the end of 2017, the company announced Wednesday.
Stanley Black & Decker plans 136-job expansion in Greenfield
The company plans to invest $7.7 million in its Greenfield factory, which will lift production to an estimated 1.2 million power tools annually.
Indiana Limestone Co. back on solid ground after bankruptcy
All 166 employees were laid off on May 2, 2014, but Wynnchurch Capital quickly bought the business for $26 million and hired back 120 of the company's former stonecutters. Since then, the operation has added 43 workers.
State tweaks law to entice $500M Rolls-Royce upgrade
If a tailor-made tax credit is any indication, Rolls-Royce Group plans to spend at least $500 million modernizing its Tibbs Avenue jet-engine factory.
Salesforce makes $100K ‘flash-funding’ gift to IPS teachers
The crowdfunding donation, which took place Thursday morning, completed funding for 152 open projects, helping more than 11,000 students in 150 classrooms at 30 schools.
Union workers vote to end strike at BP refinery in Indiana
About 1,100 workers have been on strike since early February, and the refinery has been run by non-union supervisors and replacement workers.
Indiana launches revamped government website
The Indiana Office of Technology announced Thursday that IN.gov has been revamped to provide better service for mobile users.
Calumet Specialty bounces back with profitable quarter
Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP rebounded from a money-losing first quarter in 2014 with a profitable one this year, the company reported Wednesday.
Sales down, profit up for Remy International
Pendleton-based manufacturer Remy International Inc. saw sales slip in its latest quarter, but profit more than tripled from the year-ago period.
Iron ore maker with huge Indiana plant seeks bankruptcy
Magnetation LLC, which operates a massive iron ore pellet plant in Indiana, has filed for bankruptcy. The company announced plans for the Reynolds plant in late 2012, saying it would spend as much as $350 million on the facility and create up to 100 jobs there by the end of this year.
U.S. factory orders rise for first time in 8 months
Orders increased 2.1 percent following seven monthly declines, the Commerce Department reported Monday. In further good news, orders in a key category that tracks business investment plans eked out a 0.1-percent rise.
Dorsey, Pfledderer take on senior roles at TechPoint
TechPoint announced Friday that Apparatus founder Kelly Pfledderer has replaced chairman Mark Hill and that former ExactTarget co-founder Scott Dorsey has joined its executive team.
New workforce thrust aims to boost Indy tech expertise
Businesses and other employers can anticipate more technologically literate college graduates—and see their existing employees raise their tech game—if a new program pans out.