NORTH CHARLESTON, SC--According to a permit application filed last week with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to ramp up production of its Sprinter commercial vehicles in three phases at its campus here.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis.--Foxconn Technology Group (FTG) has made its first financial commitment for a planned flat-panel plant in Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., known as FTG outside of Taiwan, on Friday deposited $60 million to special bank accounts in Wisconsin. The money is to be used by the village and Racine County to buy land for the $10 billion flat-panel plant, the construction of which is to begin next month.
SPOKANE-–Greater Spokane Inc. and Spokane International Airport say they are forming a task force to attract the design, production and final assembly of Boeing’s new midsize airplane. Boeing’s proposed new airplane is called the NMA, and the company plans to announce the launch of the project in 2018.
QINGDAO, China--Earlier this month, the New York-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) announced a proposal to develop an international mass customization standard led by Chinese electronics manufacturer Haier at the National Engineering and Scientific Commission conference. It is the first international standard created by IEEE based on the model, and to serve as its technical framework since the organization was launched more than 50 years ago.
FORT WORTH, TX—Lockheed Martin delivered its 66th F-35 this month, hitting its delivery target for the year and boosting its production level by more than 40 percent compared with last year. Lockheed is ramping up production of the F-35 and plans to hire an additional 1,800 workers by 2020.
FORT MILL, SC—Power tool manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker will invest $31 million to build a new assembly plant here. Expected to employ 500 people, the factory will assemble Dewalt cordless tools.
PIKEVILLE, KY—Battery manufacturer EnerBlu Inc. will invest $372 million to build a new assembly plant here. The company also plans to spend $40 million to move its headquarters from California to Lexington, KY. Altogether, the two facilities are expected to employ 985 people.
WASHINGTON—Invoking powers the U.S. hasn’t used in more than a quarter century, the Trump administration has begun an investigation into Chinese aluminum imports that could lead to tariffs. The Commerce Department is taking the unusual step of initiating the case itself, rather than going through the regular route of starting an investigation based on petitions filed by U.S. companies.