NEW YORK—U.S. factories face a “critical shortage of machinists” according to the National Tooling and Machining Association.

BALTIMORE—GM will move assembly of electric vehicle motors from Mexico to a new, $244 million assembly plant here, creating 189 jobs.

EDEN, NC—Weil-McLain, a manufacturer of heating and air-conditioning equipment, is investing more than $1 million in new manufacturing equipment.

MERRITT ISLAND, FL—Arnott Inc., a manufacturer of pneumatic suspension components, has opened a new, larger assembly plant here.

MONTPELIER, VT—Following several years of declines, industrial employment in Vermont increased a half percent over the past twelve months, according to the 2012 Vermont Manufacturers Register.

CHICAGO—The shallow pool of skilled workers is prompting a growing number of manufacturers to implement training programs in science, technology, engineering and math.

PITTSBURGH—Aquion Energy Inc. will locate a high-tech battery assembly plant here. The new plant may employ up to 400 people within three years.

BRUSSELS—New factory orders rose in the European Union in December, compared to November. New orders rose 1.9 percent month-to-month in the 17-member eurozone and 1.3 percent in the 27-member European Union.

HUDSON, NH—Johnson Precision, a contract manufacturer of medical devices, has opened a new factory here that includes a Class 8 clean room for injection molding and assembly.

NEWARK, NJ—U.S containerized exports in 2011 grew 6 percent over 2010 volumes, advancing to a new record annual total of 11.9 million 20-foot-equivalent units.