In the Headlines: Fire at chemical plant discovered by forklift operator
The manufacturing industry is in a perpetual state of change. New technologies, policies, regulations, and company initiatives keep altering the role and perception of manufacturing in America. Every day, there’s a new plant, industry acquisition, research report, or law, and staying up to date on the latest information can prove difficult. Here’s what’s happening this week, in case you missed it.
TTM Technologies to build $130 million PCB manufacturing plant in New York
The company, which manufactures technology solutions, will invest $130 million into the greenfield high-tech manufacturing facility, generating 400 new jobs for the surrounding area.
Central States Manufacturing begins construction on $10 million production plant in Utah
The plant, which will span over 100,000 square feet, will be Central States’ 12th facility, and the company will hire 90 new employees to work at the facility.
Explosion and fire at Texas chemical plant sends worker to the hospital
Firefighters from 18 departments in four counties were called to the scene.
Siemens to build $150 million manufacturing plant in Texas, bringing its total U.S. investment to $510 million this year
Siemens hope the new plant will enable accelerated growth of U.S. data centers and ensure secure operation of critical infrastructure.
3M Company fined $313K for safety violations after worker is caught in a machine’s rotating rollers and dies
OSHA investigators determined that the 3M Company violated federal regulations for the control of hazardous energy during set-up, servicing and operation of the machine.
Battery system manufacturer opens new plant in California
The company, which specializes in lithium-ion battery systems, built the 65,000-square-foot plant with enhanced pack assembly automation.
GE Aerospace violated False Claims Act and must pay $9,413,024
The company’s Lynn, Massachusetts manufacturing plant allegedly sold parts to the United States Army and Navy that were either not properly inspected or were nonconforming.
DuPont opens Kalrez manufacturing plant in Delaware
The new plant will feature an ISO Class 6 Cleanroom, upgraded manufacturing equipment, optimized facility layout and space to support future business growth.
Food manufacturer fined $273K by OSHA for failing to protect employees from moving machine parts
The company, which produces pasta, sauces, and meals, has been investigated three times during the past five years.
Hyundai Industrial invests $24 million to build auto parts plant in Georgia
Hyundai Industrial will retrofit an existing building to produce arm and head rests for OEMs.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn