FRANKFURT, Germany—More than 4.2 million robots were employed in factories worldwide in 2023—a record high and an increase of 10 percent from 2022.

In deciding what drives the creation of sub-BOMs and whether to divide a larger assembly into subassemblies, it’s essential to evaluate the long-term impact on production. A flexible enterprise resource planning (ERP) system allows the creation of complex, multilevel BOMs, but also supports simple, flat BOM structures.

DUBLIN, VA—The trucks are being assembled at the New River Valley Assembly Plant in Dublin, Virginia, Volvo Group’s largest global facility, spanning 2.3 million square feet across 566 acres. 

TOYOTA CITY, Japan—Toyota Motor announced a new $500 million investment in Joby Aviation to support the certification and production of Joby’s electric air taxi.

LANSING, NY—After two weeks on the picket line here, Teamsters Local 317 members have voted overwhelmingly to approve a contract with auto parts manufacturer BorgWarner, securing wage increases and expanded benefits.

HUNTSVILLE, AL—Toyota’s assembly plant here produced its 10-millionth engine last week. 

OULU, Finland—JOT Automation Inc. and EID Robotics have introduced a system of standardized, modular, robotic cells that can be combined to create microfactories for localized automated manufacturing of products.

CHENNAI, India—Production at Tata Electronics' plant in southern India, which manufactures iPhone components for Apple, will remain suspended indefinitely following a weekend fire, officials confirmed.

PARIS, France—Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest automaker, reduced its 2024 profit forecast and warned of higher-than-expected cash burn due to weak global demand and rising competition, particularly from China. 

INGERSOLL, Canada—General Motors Co. and Unifor, the union representing autoworkers in Canada, reached a deal Sept. 23 on a new contract for workers at GM’s CAMI Assembly plant here.