WASHINGTON-Orders for new manufactured goods grew 3.1 percent in January, the highest monthly growth rate since September 2006, and much higher than the 1.4 percent growth rate in December. MORE

TOKYO-Under the heading of strangest recalls ever, Mazda is weaving the most bizarre of all: 52,000 Mazda 6 vehicles in the United States are being recalled because of possible spider webs. The fear is that they can lead to blockages that will eventually cause fuel tanks to leak. MORE

FORTVILLE, IN-Genesis Plastics Welding plans to create up to 54 jobs here by 2014. The company, which provides contract plastics welding and manufacturing services, is investing more than $3.3 million in its plant. MORE

GAFFNEY, SC-Boysen USA, a producer of exhaust systems, is investing $6 million to expand its operations here, creating 15 new jobs. MORE

HOWELL, MI-A raging fire consumed the Atreum auto parts assembly plant here. MORE

YORK, PA-Harley-Davidson will establish a pool of 300 to 500 “flexible workers” for its assembly plant here. The employees will work as needed, calling into the plant each week to receive their schedule. Although they will not receive benefits, they will earn $16.75 per hour. MORE

RUSSELVILLE, KY-Automotive supplier Ventra Plastics will expand its manufacturing facility here, investing nearly $3.4 million and 25 workers. MORE

LANSING, MI-GM’s Lansing Grand River assembly plant will shut down for six weeks this summer as it prepares to start production of a new Cadillac. MORE

SEATTLE-Have you ever wondered what it looks like behind the scenes at Boeing’s 747 assembly line in Everett, WA? Check out this photo essay. MORE

SPARTANBURG, SC-BMW plans to invest another $100 million into its assembly plant here on the heels of a $750 million expansion the automaker completed last year. MORE