CONOVER, NC—Small screws—sizes smaller than #4 or 3 millimeter—are increasingly finding their way into assemblies. This Q&A with Design Tool Inc. talks about the challenges of dealing with these fasteners in automatic screwdriving applications.

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI—Fisher Dynamics, a manufacturer of automotive seating systems and mechanisms, has turned to Google Glass to run parts of its floor more efficiently.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Toyota Motor Corp. has begun construction of a $126 million expansion of its Technical Center here. The expansion includes a new prototype facility for vehicle development, additions to the power train development facility, and a supply center.

TITUSVILLE, FL—Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA will build an airplane seat assembly plant here. The facility is expected to employ 150 people.

EVERETT, WA—Through the first five months of this year, Boeing Co. is well on its way to meeting its goal for Dreamliner deliveries. Boeing’s assembly plants in South Carolina and Washington have produced 54 jets through May. At the current rate, the company will produce 130 Dreamliners by the end of the year.

SAN ANTONIO—Noting that 10 percent of the vehicles produced at Toyota’s assembly plant here are exported, Chris Nielsen, a senior vice president for the automaker, urged Texas lawmakers to support Trade Promotion Authority for the president of the United States.

BASSETT, VA—Bassett Furniture is producing furniture here for the first time since May 2007. The company has opened a new assembly plant to make chairs, tables, fixtures and cabinets.

MACUNGIE, PA—The Mack Trucks assembly plant here is among the sites helping Volvo Group North America achieve its goal of reduced energy consumption under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Better Plants Challenge five years earlier than expected.

FORT WAYNE, IN—GM will spend $1.2 billion to revamp its pickup truck assembly plant here. Plans call for improving the paint shop, expanding the body shop, and upgrading the assembly area.