WASHINGTON—The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent last month, dropping below 8 percent for the first time in nearly four years.

DETROIT—As consumers clamor for better fuel economy, suppliers and automakers are trying to reclaim some of the lost thermal energy produced by a vehicle’s engine.

CARTERSVILLE, GA—Voestalpine Metal Forming, a supplier of metal parts for the auto industry, is building a $62 million assembly plant here, creating 220 jobs.

MENTOR, OH— Medical device manufacturer Steris Corp. is building a new, $11 million assembly plant here.

FLAT ROCK, MI—The UAW has approved a new contract for workers at the Ford assembly plant here.

MOUNT JULIET, TN—Genesee A&B, a custom metal parts manufacturer, will invest $2.1 million to expand its assembly plant here, creating 34 jobs.

WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing grew for the first time in four months, buoyed by a jump in new orders and more jobs. The increase is a hopeful sign that the economy may be improving after a weak stretch.

CHARLESTON, SC—American Crane & Equipment Corp. has completed installation of a custom underhung crane system at Boeing’s 787 assembly plant here.

GREENSBORO, NC—Electronics manufacturer Lenovo will start assembling tablet, notebook and desktop computers at its warehouse here. The company will hire 115 employees.

TORONTO—The Canadian Auto Workers’ Chrysler members have approved a new contract with the automaker that delivers $9,000 in bonuses to the workers over the next four years.