Detroit Automakers Cutting Back on Summer Factory Shutdowns
Detroit's automakers are largely forgoing traditional two-week summer breaks at their factories and speeding up production to meet buyers' demand for new cars and trucks.
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Obama: Congress Needs to Focus on Job Creation
Obama pushes Washington lawmakers to focus on job creation during a trip to Baltimore to visit a manufacturer of pumping and digging equipment.
Durable Goods Orders Plunge in March as Factories Slow
Orders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods fell in March by the most in seven months, reflecting little growth in orders that signal future business investment.
U.S. Factory, Jobs Data Suggest Economy is Slowing
Factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region cooled in April and more Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, furthering signs of economic slowing.
GM Plans to Invest $332 Million in 4 U.S. Factories
General Motors plans to invest $332 million into four factories in three Great Lakes states to build new, more efficient engines and transmissions.
Obama's Goal to Boost Export Levels is Halfway Home
President Obama's five-year goal, set in January 2010, to boost U.S. export levels set is about halfway to its mark, but can the U.S. sustain the momentum?
Unilever Bulks Up in China With an Eye on the Future
Unilever, the second largest consumer goods company in the world, recently announced plans to build one of its largest production bases in China. Unilever already has sales in China worth over $20 billion and anticipates a substantial increase in this figure in the years ahead.
U.S. Manufacturing Output Rises 0.5%, the Most Since July
The nation%u2019s manufacturing recovery accelerated in October as factory output jumped 0.5%, the Federal Reserve said. Overall industrial output was flat in the month, but the typical autumn plunge in utilities output skewed the top-line stat lower.
Sun Sets on Applied Material's Thin-Film Solar Ambitions
Applied Materials is cutting its SunFab line of equipment to make amorphous-silicon solar panels. The move marks the end of the semiconductor-equipment giant's big thin-film solar ambitions. What's next for AMAT?
New Solar Panel Factory Will Rise in Oregon
Oregon is the latest state to notch a big win in the effort to attract green jobs: Silicon Valley solar company Solexant has announced plans to build a large factory to produce thin-film solar panels near Portland. Oregon gets jobs; Solexant gets a $25 million loan and $18.75 million in tax credits.
Toyota Hopes to Restart Chinese Factory on Monday
Toyota said Thursday that an ongoing strike by workers at parts supplier Denso means its large plant in Guangzhou, China, will remain closed through the weekend. But a limited resumption of production at the parts plant is expected to allow Toyota to restart its assembly lines as soon as Monday.
Ford Investing $450 Million in New Focus Plant in Thailand
Ford Motor Co. is investing $450 million in a new factory in Thailand, despite the country's political unrest. The new factory will begin producing the next-generation Ford Focus in 2012.
No Summer Shutdown for GM Plants This Year
The annual two-week break gives workers vacation time and gives companies a chance to do maintenance. But with demand rising, GM is going to keep cranking out cars at nine of its 11 assemblies.
