SMYRNA, TN—Total employment at Nissan’s assembly plant here could be pushing 6,000 workers—nearly double its current level—by early next year, as the automaker boosts production of the Leaf and Pathfinder vehicles.

EXETER, NH—Cobham Sensor Systems is adding 105,000 square feet to its assembly plant here, creating 120 new jobs.

GREENVILLE, WI—Industrial Ventilation Inc. will add 35 full-time employees this year as it expands its assembly plant here.

ATLANTA—Caterpillar plans to build a new assembly plant in Georgia, bringing an estimated 1,400 jobs to the state. The plant will be built in the Athens area.

SUPERIOR, MN—Kestrel is now hiring for positions at its new assembly plant here. The first 11 jobs are now posted on the company’s Web site. The company plans to hire 300 to 600 people over the next several years.

MONTGOMERY, AL—Hyundai Power Transformers has opened a new $108 million assembly plant here.

MESA, AZ—Medical device manufacturer Ulthera Inc. is investing $1.68 million to expand its assembly plant here, creating more than 100 high-paying jobs.

LOUISVILLE, KY—As GE began production of electric water heaters at its newly renovated assembly plant here, company officials confirmed that hiring is under way for the launch of a refrigerator assembly line next month. The company plans to hire up to 1,300 people by 2014.

WASHINGTON—GE plans to hire 5,000 veterans over the next five years and invest $580 million to expand its aviation business.

 

PRINCETON, IN—Toyota plans to invest $400 million and create 400 jobs at its assembly plant here to build the Highlander SUV hybrid, ending all production of that model in Japan.