WASHINGTON—U.S. factories increased output in August by the most in eight months, helped by a robust month at auto plants. The gains are a hopeful sign that manufacturing could help boost economic growth in the second half of the year.
OAKVILLE, ON—Ford will spend between $675 million and $725 million to retool its assembly plant here. The Canadian and Ontario governments will contribute approximately $135 million to the effort, which will secure the facility’s 3,000 jobs into the next decade.
KENOSHA, WI—Kenall Manufacturing, which makes lighting products, is relocating its headquarters and assembly plant from Gurnee, IL, to a new assembly plant here. The move brings 225 new jobs to southeastern Wisconsin.
CHICAGO—Workers at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant have checked the quality of a vehicle’s paint job basically the same way since the plant opened in 1924—by eye. But the factory is now getting a new 3D imaging system that uses 16 computer-controlled cameras to detect the most microscopic grains of dirt in the paint.
NASHVILLE, TN—A majority of workers at Volkswagen’s assembly plant here have signed cards favoring the UAW’s representation in creating a German-style works council at the facility.
FORT WORTH, TX—Motorola has opened an assembly plant here to make its new smartphone—the first such device ever assembled in the United States. The facility will create 2,500 jobs.
AUBURN HILLS, MI—Esys Automation has received an order for a turnkey automated dispensing system froma major European automotive manufacturer. The multiple robot system will dispense sealants and sound-deadening materials.
DETROIT—Automotive manufacturers have consistently outpaced the global manufacturing average in recent years, according to a global purchasing managers index.
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