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.

NEW DELHI—Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest contract manufacturer, is aiming to create at least a million jobs by setting up 10 to 12 assembly plants across India by 2020.

NEWPORT, WA—A “very significant” explosion rocked the Zodiac Aerospace assembly here, toppling large pieces of machinery, lifting an entire floor off its foundation and seriously injuring five people, authorities said.

ARLINGTON, TX—General Motors will spend $1.4 billion to fund a slew of upgrades for its assembly plant here. The investment will cover a new paint shop, body shop and general assembly area.