February 18-24, 2024 is Engineers Week. As part of its educational efforts to engage students in engineering, DiscoverE.org has downloadable resources such as an assembly line activity. 

WASHINGTON—The skilled labor shortage is forcing manufacturers to consider implementing flexible work schedules.

GEORGETOWN, KY—Toyota is investing $1.3 billion at its flagship facility here for future electrification efforts, including assembly of an all-new, three row battery electric SUV for the U.S. market.

Chattanooga, TN—On Tuesday, February 6th Reuters reported The United Auto Workers said a majority of workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, assembly plant have signed cards to join the union.

BAGSVAERD, Denmark—Novo Holdings, the Danish drugmaker’s controlling shareholder, said it acquired New Jersey-based Catalent Inc. in a deal that values the contract manufacturer at $16.5 billion. Novo Nordisk, in turn, said it will acquire three manufacturing sites from Novo Holdings for $11 billion.

Makita's R&D department has produced several unique technologies. Makita then patented these, ensuring its tools would be the only ones to have them. There are dozens of these specialized technologies ingrained in the company's tools.  Here are six of the most impressive technologies you can only find on Makita brand tools.

BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, Germany—According to ETMM, A Bosch representative told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the company currently expects up to 560 jobs to be cut by the end of 2026.

GREENE, NY—The Greene, New York, operation consists of 28 departments and over 2,900 employees who submitted at least one kaizen. More than 80% of kaizens submitted have so far been implemented. In total, 5,427 days were saved by eliminating waste and improving processes through kaizens.

In the interview, Barnett says Boeing began cutting corners during his employment by removing inspection operators and experts from assembly lines.

LEMONT, IL—In an effort to improve medical isotope production, scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have embarked on a project that harnesses the power of computer-driven robots. The project aims to increase safety and reproducibility, while driving down cost.