EVERETT, WA-Boeing’s new 787 jetliner finally took to the skies this morning, more than two years later than the company had planned. Pilots Michael Carriker and Randall Neville lifted off at about 10:30 a.m. PT from Everett’s Paine Field on a four-hour flight over Washington state to perform a variety of basic tests and systems checks before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field. MORE

FREDERICK, CO-UQM Technologies Inc., a developer of alternative energy technologies, has acquired a 129,304-square-foot facility on a 30-acre site in Longmont, CO, to support expected growth in manufacturing operations. UQM assembles power-dense, high-efficiency electric motors, generators and controllers. MORE

DEPTFORD, NJ-International Rollforms Inc., a contract metal forming company, has installed a 65,000-square-foot solar energy system on the roof of its manufacturing plant here. The system consists of 1,256 solar panels, which are expected to supply 438 megawatt hours on an annual basis. MORE

WACO, TX-Caterpillar Inc. will spend more than $30 million to build a new assembly plant here, increasing its already sizable presence locally and creating 60 new jobs. The plant will produce tools that can be attached to machines and used like jackhammers. MORE

WEST POINT, GA-Kia Motors Corp.’s U.S. unit plans to raise $300 million from a bond sale as it seeks working capital for its new factory here. MORE

WINSTON-SALEM, NC-Remaining workers at the Dell manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem will have a chance to keep their jobs a little longer as the company will delay the plant’s closing another three months. MORE

MARBLE FALLS, TX-Ronn Motor Co. has consummated a deal to relocate to its new manufacturing headquarters here. The facility will enable the company to expand production of its Scorpion HX , a hydrogen-powered sports car. MORE

WASHINGTON-Chrysler’s CEO told Michigan lawmakers Tuesday that the company plans to keep its Sterling Heights, MI, assembly plant open into 2011. MORE

TORONTO-Toyota will add a second production shift at its Woodstock, Ontario, assembly plant, bringing more than 800 jobs to the Canadian province and pointing to a recovery in the battered North American auto sector. MORE

ALACHUA, FL- Bren-Tronics Energy Systems Inc., a New York-based company that produces rechargeable batteries and charging systems, may locate a new assembly here. MORE