LEUVEN, Belgium—LMS International and a coalition of European research organizations have developed advanced simulation software for chassis and suspension engineering.

MOBILE, AL—Airbus has posted the first job opening for its new assembly plant here. The company is looking to hire a human resources director in early 2013.

LANCASTER, PA—The Case New Holland assembly plant here was evacuated Friday night after a forklift punctured a 55-gallon drum of urethane, causing the flammable liquid to leak out.

BEIJING—Demand for industrial robots in China is predicted to hit 32,000 units by 2014, making the manufacturing giant the world’s largest robotics consumer.

PARIS—French auto parts supplier Faurecia and the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology have agreed to work together to develop advanced industrial processes for automotive composites.

MARION, OH—Looking to staff a new assembly line, Whirlpool Corp. is hiring 150 workers at its dryer assembly plant here.

BEIJING—Contract manufacturer Foxconn is considering building an assembly plant in the United States.

KOKOMO, IN—Chrysler is using 3D modeling techniques to design the transmissions built at its assembly plant here.

MEXICO CITY—In an aggressive bid to move beyond low-wage factory jobs and toward an entrepreneurial economy, Mexico is producing graduates in engineering and technology at rates that challenge its international rivals, including its No. 1 trade partner, the United States.

BOSTON—Approximately 14 percent of U.S. manufacturers with more than $1 billion in sales will reshore some production from overseas, according to a new survey by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.