BRISTOL, CT—Systems integrator The Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc. has acquired Bodine Automation Technology, a division of Missouri-based DTE. The Bodine assets acquired include its intellectual property, engineering/service operations, and parts inventory.

WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing expanded for the 14th straight month in July. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, reports that its manufacturing index rose to 57.1, up from 55.3 in June. Anything above 50 signals that manufacturing is growing.

WASHINGTON—An executive from G.S. Electech Inc., a supplier to Toyota Motor Corp., has pleaded guilty to playing a role in an international conspiracy to rig bids and fix prices on auto parts, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

CAMBRIDGE, ON—ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. will acquire M+W Process Automation GmbH and ProFocus LLC, two providers of engineering-based automation services.

SEATTLE—Boeing will build the longest version of the 787 Dreamliner exclusively at its assembly plant in North Charleston, SC.

WASHINGTON—A current lack of skilled and highly skilled manufacturing workers has measurable financial impacts on U.S. manufacturers, according to a new study from Accenture and the Manufacturing Institute.

ELGIN, IL—Cable manufacturer Helukabel has joined the CC-Link Partner Association, the nonprofit organization that manages and oversees CC-Link networking technology.

MINNEAPOLIS—Super Radiator Coils has begun constructing a $4 million assembly plant here to make heat exchanger coils used in power plants.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Humantech is conducting a survey on the use of computer technology for managing ergonomics programs. This online, confidential survey consists of 16 questions and is open to any company with an established ergonomics program.

FORT WAYNE, IN—An auto parts shortage has caused the cancellation of several shifts at GM’s truck assembly plant here.