TEMPE, AZ—First Solar Inc. is investing up to $1.1 billion to construct its fifth manufacturing facility in the USA, further expanding America’s capacity to produce its own photovoltaic (PV) solar modules.

WAUKESHA, WI—Husco International, a manufacturer of hydraulic and electromechanical control systems for automotive and off-highway applications, has received a Human Resources Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal.

CORBETTA, Italy—A lightweight urethane developed by global automotive supplier Marelli Europe S.p.A. has received a 2023 Enlighten Award from software company Altair Engineering Inc. and the Center for Automotive Research.

HAMPSHIRE, UK—British agricultural technology start-up Small Robot Co. has invented a mobile delta autonomous mobile robot that can weed agricultural fields without using chemicals.

DITZINGEN, Germany—The TRUMPF Group celebrated its 100th anniversary here last week by firing one of the world’s most powerful show lasers. The laser light shone for the first time on the evening of Aug. 3. The green laser beam was visible up to 50 miles away.

LOS ANGELES—The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $1.6 million contract to Machina Labs to advance and accelerate the development of the company’s robotic technology for manufacturing metal tooling for high-rate production of composites.

3M announced it will exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025.

MT. PLEASANT, MI—A documented cost reduction program helped a manufacturer of refrigeration equipment to cut costs and improve brazing operations.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford plans to triple the production capacity of its electric F-150 Lightning vehicle after a six-week retooling and expansion project at the Michigan plant.

BLUE RIDGE, GA—For MES software to improve KPIs, it cannot sit in isolation from other manufacturing systems.