Rapid economic recovery, the tight labor market, and high inflation have shifted power to workers who are organized.

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden—Scania AB, a leading European manufacturer of trucks and buses, is installing remanufactured gearboxes in new vehicles at its flagship assembly plant here.

An innovative 3D printing method streamlines multimaterial manufacturing.

KINGSBORO, NC—Natron Energy Inc., a manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries, is investing $1.4 billion to build a new “gigafactory” here.

Dürr Systems provides automated paint line, final assembly, and inspection and test systems for Turkish EV manufacturer.

TOKYO—Yazaki Corp. and Toray Industries Inc. have developed a new recycled plastic formulated specifically to mold connectors for automotive wire harnesses.

According to Info-Tech, companies should adopt Smart Manufacturing 5.0, which combines the innovations of Industry 4.0 with a focus on human-centric, resilient and sustainable practices.

AKRON, OH—An air intake manifold made of 100 percent recycled nylon has won an Automotive Innovation Award in the Power Train Category from the Society of Plastics Engineers.

TOKYO—Researchers in Japan have developed a new additive manufacturing technology for making high-precision parts with lightweight magnesium alloys.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co.’s assembly plants in South Africa and Thailand get a significant portion of their electricity from solar panels mounted to canopies in parking lots.