WASHINGTON-The U.S. workforce was more efficient last year, with productivity rising at the fastest pace in eight years. Labor costs fell for a second straight year, something that hasn’t happened in nearly five decades. MORE

MILWAUKEE-Harley-Davidson has finally launched a new factory customization program that enables customers to create their own, personalized two-wheeled V-twin ride by selecting different wheels, seats, handlebars, paint and engine finishes. MORE

DETROIT-Many automotive assembly lines crippled by this week’s blizzard have reopened. MORE

ASHEVILLE, NC-The USA is still a world-class manufacturing powerhouse. MORE

TEMPE, AZ-Manufacturing activity in the United States accelerated in January to its fastest pace since May 2004. MORE

LONDON-Worldwide solar cell production capacity has more than doubled in the past year, according to a new report. MORE

WASHINGTON, DC-A measure of factory activity in the U.S. Midwest rose to a 22-1/2 year high in January on strong orders and employment prospects, bolstering hopes the economy would stay on a solid growth path this year. MORE

CHATTANOOGA, TN-The downward spiral in hiring in Tennessee's auto-manufacturing industry has reversed itself, and jobs are once again being filled thanks to an influx of suppliers and the soon-to-open Volkswagen plant here. MORE

WASHINGTON-American factories out-produce their counterparts in China by more than 40 percent. MORE

PHOENIX-Power-One Inc. has opened a new 122,000-square-foot factory that will assemble power inverters. MORE