CHICAGO—The rise of the U.S. dollar against the euro and other world currencies over the past year has reduced the cost-competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing compared with economies such as Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Brazil. However, the U.S. still maintains a significant cost advantage over these economies, and therefore manufacturers are unlikely to shift production to other nations, according to The Boston Consulting Group.

INDIANAPOLIS—Manufacturing employment increased in Indiana for a fourth straight year, according to data compiled by Manufacturers’ News Inc. Indiana manufacturers added 7,447 jobs from April 2014 to April 2015.

DETROIT—Ford Motor Co. will build the new Lincoln Continental sedan at its Flat Rock assembly plant here. The 28-year-old factory currently builds the Ford Mustang and the Ford Fusion.

EVERETT, WA—Less than 6 months after Boeing broke ground for its $1 billion Composite Wing Center here, the skeleton and super-structure are rising at an impressive pace.

WASHINGTON—The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers this week opened an organizing office in Mobile, AL, to provide support for Airbus workers interested in forming a union at the company’s soon-to-be-completed final assembly line.

DETROIT—With stable auto production and flat factory employment predicted through 2018, the UAW is expected to press for higher wages in contract talks with the Detroit Three. Jobs and future product commitments will be secondary considerations.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Automotive supplier Yanfeng Automotive Interiors will invest $55 million to build a new assembly plant here. The factory is expected to employ 325.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL—A 25-ton power press crushed a temporary worker’s right ring finger when the machine she operated cycled while her hand was inside. The incident, at a steel parts manufacturing plant here, occurred when light curtains that act as machine guards failed to work properly.

DEARBORN, MI—Since 2003, Ford has reduced the injury rate by 70 percent for its more than 50,000 “industrial athletes” in the U.S., and many more around the world, through new ergonomics technology, lift-assist devices, workstation redesign and data-driven process changes.

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI—Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will spend $166 million to install three new press lines at its stamping plant here. The equipment is expected to be production-ready by the end of the year.