YOKOHAMA, Japan—Ninety-six percent of the production process at Toyota’s Motomachi assembly plant is completed by robots. The plant employs 760 robots and produces one vehicle every 135 seconds.
TORONTO—A decision by Chrysler Canada to commit to bringing a new minivan assembly line to Windsor, ON, was greeted with caution Tuesday, as the auto giant said it was no longer looking to the federal and Ontario governments for funding.
SOLINGEN, German—Item Industrietechnik GmbH has become the first supplier of industrial workbenches to be awarded the “certified and recommended” seal of approval by the independent Campaign for Healthy Backs.
WASHINGTON—Manufacturing CEOs are more optimistic this year, but they’re worried about rising energy costs and slowing growth in new markets, according to a new survey conducted by consulting firm PWC.
PARMA, OH—GM is set to invest $14 million in the installation of a progressive press at its stamping and fabrication center here. The press will be used for both die tryout and regular parts production.
SHANNON, MS—General Atomics will move production of its electromagnetic components to a state-of-the-art assembly plant here. The project represents an $11 million investment and will create 80 new jobs.
WASHINGTON—Despite blizzards, ice storms and floods, U.S. manufacturing conditions improved significantly in February. The Institute for Supply Management found that new factory orders, deliveries and inventories improved during February to create an overall index of 53.2, up from 51.3 in January. Any index figure over 50 signals economic growth.
WASHINGTON—More than 50 colleges are now part of the Get Skills to Work Initiative, a coalition of industry, educators, and nonprofit organizations helping veterans discover careers in advanced manufacturing. The partnership includes more than 500 manufacturers, including GE, Boeing, Lockheed and Alcoa.