Market trends and business perspectives
Seeing double? That’s a good thing when it comes to improving efficiency and anticipating problems in refineries.
A refinery is a high stakes environment with no room for error.
Operators must learn how to run production facilities, but training on the real asset would be risky. A minor error could put workers in harm or cause downtime, costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. [Read more…] about What is a ‘digital twin’ and why it matters
The BMW Group is investing around €400 million in its Dingolfing vehicle plant for production of the BMW iNEXT.
In doing this, it is preparing for the manufacture of pure battery-electric and highly automated BMW cars at its largest European production location.
With the launch of the BMW iNEXT in 2021, Plant Dingolfing will be capable of producing the right mix of fully-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and models with combustion engines to suit demand on a single assembly line. [Read more…] about BMW invests €400 million in Dingolfing plant for BMW iNEXT
General Motors and LG Chem have agreed a partnership to mass-produce battery cells for future electric vehicles.
Together, the companies will invest up to a total of $2.3 billion through a new, equally owned joint venture company.
The joint venture will establish a battery cell assembly plant on a greenfield manufacturing site in the Lordstown area of Northeast Ohio that will create more than 1,100 new jobs. [Read more…] about GM and LG agree $2.3 billion partnership to mass-produce car battery cells
Volkswagen has initiated a system changeover to electric mobility as production of the ID.3 starts in Zwickau
Volkswagen’s electric offensive is picking up speed: This months sees the official start of series production of the ID.3.
The first car in the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs) – a white ID.3 – rolled off the assembly line watched by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess.
The Volkswagen Group aims to sell some 22 million EVs worldwide by 2028, helping EVs make the breakthrough to the mainstream. [Read more…] about Volkswagen initiates system changeover to e-mobility as production of the ID.3 starts
by Sam Francis
Continental, technology company and manufacturer of premium tires, celebrated what it describes as “a major milestone” for its new tire plant near Clinton, Mississippi, with a grand opening ceremony last week.
The celebration marks the completion of the construction process, which began in 2016. Approximately 300 guests, including state and local officials, along with community members, customers, and suppliers as well as 250 Continental employees joined the event.
The new plant is located on a 1,000-acre greenfield site in Clinton, close to Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, United States. [Read more…] about Continental opens new tire plant in Mississippi
ABB has launched a new version of its visual control graphic interface, saying it is the first to display process information in its situational context.
The industrial giant has integrated its “Minerals Process Control Library” into the new system, partnering with the CRH Hoghiz cement plant in Romania to implement the new innovations.
Successfully operating in more than 450 cement and mining sites worldwide, the ABB Ability System 800xA Minerals Process Control Library is a ready-to-use, tailor-made automation software solution for the mining and cement industries. [Read more…] about ABB launches new visual control interface for operational control
by Mai Tao
Mitsubishi Electric says it will start construction of a new plant on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Automotive India in Gujarat, India.
The company’s new plant, along with one in Manesar, Haryana, will enable MEAI to expand its output of products such as motor-control units for electric power steering, exhaust gas recirculation valves and giant magnet-resistance sensors.
The demand for these components is expected to grow in line with increasing sales of vehicles offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the Indian market. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products
by Mai Tao
Denso says it will expand the plant of its semiconductor production plant which it operates under the name Denso Hokkaido, one of its group companies.
The measure is part of Denso’s efforts to increase production of semiconductor sensors, enhance its domestic production system and boost Denso group’s competitiveness.
Denso will invest about 11 billion yen ($103 million) by 2025 to complete the expansion and increase production. [Read more…] about Denso Hokkaido to expand semiconductor sensors production plant
Škoda Auto has opened a new automotive paint shop at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, featuring 66 industrial robots configured for applying the paint.
Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint there each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.
Škoda Auto has invested €214.5 million in the new building, creating more than 650 new jobs. (See infographic below.) [Read more…] about Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots
by Keyam
General Motors has announced the second major expansion of its full-size pickup production capacity this year: a $150 million investment at Flint Assembly to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand.
GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the Flint Assembly since 2013, enabling an increase in the truck plant’s production capacity of the all-new Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups by about 40,000 vehicles annually, including more crew cab models and diesels. [Read more…] about GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant
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