To meet the production and quality demands of a new contract, a Kentucky automotive supplier implemented Pico MES to error-proof its shop floor operations, consistently build parts in high volume, and ultimately expand its business.

MARTORELL, Spain—SEAT is employing two collaborative robots at its assembly plant here to apply nameplates on the rear doors of Ibiza and Arona hatchbacks. The cobots work at the beginning of the assembly line and apply the badges as the vehicles make their way down the assembly line, with no delay to the process and sharing space with the factory personnel.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Coherix is hosting free online quarterly workshops to improve the application of adhesives and sealants in product assembly operations.

SAN ANTONIO—Toyota is investing $531 million to expand its assembly plant here. The project will add a new 500,000-square-foot facility for the production of drivetrain parts, and it will create more than 400 new jobs.

SANTA CRUZ, CA—Joby Aviation, a company pioneering electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization to use its in-house developed software suite, ElevateOS.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—Boeing is investigating a new quality issue with its 787 Dreamliner after discovering that hundreds of fasteners on some undelivered jets have been incorrectly installed. 

LONDON—A materials research company has used artificial intelligence to develop a new permanent magnet that does not contain rare earth elements.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—Toyota Motor Co. is investing $282 million to increase production at its engine assembly plant here. The automaker is also adding more than 350 new jobs at the plant.

SAN ANTONIO—JCB is building a $500 million factory here to mass-produce construction equipment for customers in North America.

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating Hyundai Motor Co. and one of its suppliers for illegal use of child labor at factories in Alabama.