WARREN, MI—General Motors is collaborating with DTE Energy to build a new 800-kilowatt solar array at its Warren Transmission plant here. The 2,800 solar panels will generate clean electricity that will go back to the grid.
DAYTON, OH—Vistek Medical, a contract manufacturer of medical implants and components, will relocate its manufacturing operation to a larger facility here. The expansion will include new five-axis milling machines, electrical discharge machining centers, and expanded finishing and packaging capabilities.
CHATTANOOGA, TN—The UAW is seeking a new election at Volkswagen’s assembly plant here, but this time for a smaller unit of employees than in early 2014. A filing with the National Labor Relations Board says that UAW Local 42 will seek an election on Nov. 5 and 6. The election will involve only the 164 full- and part-time maintenance, or skilled trades, employees at the plant.
TORONTO—Bombardier’s business jet assembly plant here uses a state-of-the-art automated positioning system to move the wing structure into place for joining with the fuselage. The system uses laser-guided measuring to ensure components of the aircraft are joined consistently and perfectly each time.
ALCOA, TN—Advanced Munitions International will invest $553 million to build a new headquarters and ammunition assembly plant here. The facility is expected to create 605 new jobs.
DETROIT—The four-year labor agreement between the UAW and General Motors suffered a setback in early voting Saturday as workers at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, KS, rejected it by a wide margin, but a strong majority of workers at one of two Lansing, MI, assembly plants approved it.
OTTAWA, OH—Whirlpool’s freezer assembly plant here is an example of having an opportunity and making the most of it. The appliance manufacturer bought the factory in 2009 after its previous owner, W.C. Wood, shut it down and laid off the workforce.