PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI—Oerlikon will build a new, state-of-the-art factory here to make advanced materials for additive manufacturing and high-end surface coatings.

WASHINGTON—Orders for U.S. business equipment climbed in October for the fourth month in the last five, indicating corporate investment may be starting to thaw.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy is providing nearly $25 million to fund 13 projects aimed at advancing technologies for energy-efficient electric motors for industrial machinery.

GUANAJUATO, Mexico—Toyota has begun construction on a $1 billion assembly plant here, its fifteenth manufacturing facility in North America. The factory, which will produce the Corolla, is expected to employ approximately 2,000 workers.

WASHINGTON—Output at U.S. manufacturers rose for a second month in October, a sign the industry is gradually recovering from a prolonged period of weakness, according to the Federal Reserve.

KANSAS CITY, KS—General Motors is investing $55 million to build an 830,000-square-foot “logistics optimization center” adjacent to its Fairfax assembly plant here. The operation is expected to employ approximately 500 workers.

LOGAN, UT—Boston Scientific’s medical device factory in Cork, Ireland, and Rexam’s beverage can factory in Querétaro, Mexico, have been named the winners of this year’s Shingo Prize for operational excellence in manufacturing.

COLDWATER, OH—Systems integrator Coldwater Machine Co. has developed a new machine that automatically rolls and welds stainless steel drums and baskets for washers and dryers.

MCLEAN, VA—US sales of machine tools in September were up 56 percent compared to August and up 52 percent over September 2015, according to AMT—The Association for Manufacturing Technology.

LIVERMORE, CA—German automotive supplier Dräxlmaier Group will invest $24 million to set up its first U.S. assembly plant here. The factory will produce electrical systems and interior components.