BARRE, VT-SBE Inc., an electronics firm that builds capacitors for batteries, is breaking ground on a new factory here. MORE

HOUSTON-Baker Hughes is expanding its drill bit manufacturing facility here, adding 130 jobs by year-end. The expansion represents a $12 million total investment. MORE

NORTH CHARLESTON, NC-Reason No. 2, perhaps, that 787 Dreamliners are behind schedule: long bathroom breaks at the plants here where workers assemble the fuselages. Male employees have complained that they are forced to share a handful of bathrooms within the buildings. MORE

TOKYO-Nissan has already logged more than 11,000 orders for its new all-electric vehicle, the Leaf. MORE

SUFFOLK, VA-Cobham is preparing to ramp up production at its new manufacturing facility here. The plant will manufacture composite engine components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and parts for other military aircraft. MORE

PICKENS COUNTY, SC-Allegro Industries is building a new plant to assemble various industrial safety products, such as respirators and ventilators. MORE

SANTA CLARITA, CA-BioSolar Inc. has developed a bio-based material that can be used to protect photovoltaic modules. MORE

COLUMBIA, SC-Commerce Secretary Gary Locke toured the PENN Fishing Tackle assembly plant here to promote the National Export Initiative. MORE

ST. LOUIS-More than 400 workers at the Covidien assembly plant went out on strike. Talks broke off between UAW Local 1887 and Covidien officials over a new contract. Medical insurance, pension, overtime, working conditions and seniority are major issues in the dispute say UAW officials who represent the workers. MORE

WINSTON-SALEM, NC-Dell has postponed the closing date for its North Carolina assembly plant a fourth time, pushing the target date into next year. MORE