Price Industries Ltd., North America’s largest manufacturer of air distribution, heating, ventilation and air conditioning products for the non-residential sector, has announced a $14.5-million expansion of its Winnipeg manufacturing and research headquarters. The 50,000-sq.-ft. (4,645-sq.-m.) expansion includes a new training facility and state-of-the-art testing areas, resulting in 150 new jobs over the next five years.
Esplanade Riel and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Photo courtesy of Zyron Paul Felix
A Splashy Investment in Kentucky
GE Appliances invested more than $100 million in a new top-load washer design and expanded manufacturing capability at its laundry plant in Louisville, Ky. Despite the popularity of front-load washers in recent years, top-load washers are the more popular design by far, accounting for 75 percent of washer sales. The Louisville plant underwent a lean manufacturing redesign, which includes ergonomically designed employee workstations and lowering times parts are handled throughout the production process. The investment created 100 jobs that were filled internally. The new top-load washer is the biggest GE product launch in 20 years.
Team member Brad Tingle secures the tub cover on the new GE top-load washers made in Louisville, Ky.
Photo courtesy of GE Appliances
Give Me Liberty
Hallmark Cards Inc., announced plans to close its Enfield, Conn., distribution center, consolidating operations with the company’s distribution center in Liberty, Mo. Dave Hall, president of Hallmark North America, said the change was due to improvements in distribution and inventory management practices. “Liberty was selected because it is the larger of the two facilities and its central location provides shipment advantages for a vast majority of Hallmark’s retailers and customers,” he added. The Enfield location will close by the end of June 2016 and will transition operations to the Liberty site in phases. The consolidation will create about 400 full-time jobs at the Liberty location.
Hallmark Cards corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Mo.
Photo courtesy of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
You’ve Got MAHLE
Automotive supplier MAHLE opened two new manufacturing plants in Ramos Arizpe and Celaya, Mexico, supporting the company’s automotive customers including General Motors, FCA (Fiat Chrysler), BMW and Audi. The $59-million, 367,000-sq.-ft. (34,095-sq.-m.) plant in Ramos Arizpe will produce HVAC modules and heat exchangers for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The facility currently employs 140 people and plans to grow to 500 by 2018. MAHLE invested $19 million into the 193,000-sq.-ft. (17,930-sq.-m.) facility in Celaya, part of the company’s filtration and engine peripherals business unit. The Celaya plant expects to employ 450 people by 2019.
Give Me Liberty
Hallmark Cards Inc., announced plans to close its Enfield, Conn., distribution center, consolidating operations with the company’s distribution center in Liberty, Mo. Dave Hall, president of Hallmark North America, said the change was due to improvements in distribution and inventory management practices. “Liberty was selected because it is the larger of the two facilities and its central location provides shipment advantages for a vast majority of Hallmark’s retailers and customers,” he added. The Enfield location will close by the end of June 2016 and will transition operations to the Liberty site in phases. The consolidation will create about 400 full-time jobs at the Liberty location.
The San Diego region is home to more than 600 life sciences companies and more than 80 research institutions.
Photo by Heather Overman
