PLEASANTON, CA—Robotics supplier Adept Technology Inc. is hosting an automation conference Oct. 15-17 at its headquarters here.

BRUSSELS—Seven European countries are involved in a project to test a robotic exoskeleton suit that can be worn by factory workers.

WASHINGTON—Many U.S. companies aren’t counted as manufacturers by the government, but are still heavily involved in the manufacturing of goods, according to a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The prevalence of these “factory-less goods producers”—Apple Inc. is a prime example—suggests that the country might have more manufacturing capabilities than official statistics suggest.

MOSEL, WI—Kohler Power Systems has started construction on a 100,000-square-foot addition to its assembly plant here. The company plans to hire 300 employees at its facilities in Mosel, Saukville, WI, and Kohler, WI, over the next three years.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL—Northrop Grumman is spending $80 million to expand its assembly plant here, which makes the Hawkeye support aircraft. The defense contract is expected to add 400 jobs.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Toyota plans to invest more than $28 million to expand operations at its two powertrain assembly plants here.

MOBILE, AL—Airbus is seeking three liaison engineers for its new assembly plant under construction here.

SALZGITTER, Germany—Volkswagen uses a lightweight six-axis robot to install glow plugs at its engine assembly plant here. The robot works directly with people on the line, without any guards.

HUDSONVILLE, MI—Contract manufacturer Royal Technologies is hiring 80 workers for its assembly plant here.

CONWAY, AR—Electronics manufacturer Snap-on Equipment has gone more than five years without a lost-time accident at its assembly plant here.