Environment

Solar Atmospheres of California Inc., Fontana, Calif., completed its most recent facility expansion.

Residents and activists in California continue to fight business interests over exposure to the carcinogen chromium-6, made famous by the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich." One issue involving the substance concerns its use at metal-treating companies. They oppose tightening air regulations. The metal-finishing industry provides about 9,000 jobs in the state, with more than half of them in Southern California.

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., developer of Mastercam, partnered with Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, Pa., to provide customers with the ability to quickly import tool assemblies from Novo directly into Mastercam 2018.

Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced this week that it will move production of its V-Twin Vanguard engines from a joint venture partnership in Japan to its existing manufacturing facilities in Statesboro, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama. The increased production in North America will create approximately 50 new jobs at each of the facilities.

Ceratizit SA, Mamer, Luxembourg, and Komet Group GmbH, Besigheim, Germany, announced the acquisition of Komet Group effective Oct. 12.

Vero Software Ltd., Cheltenham, England, hired Bill Horvat as outside sales account manager based in Delavan, Wis., to represent the Surfcam and Edgecam brands.

In line with its strategy to digitalize its offering, GF Machining Solutions LLC, Lincolnshire, Ill., agreed to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Symmedia GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany.

Rockford (Ill.) Systems LLC and Master Lock Co. LLC, Oak Creek, Wis., have a new joint initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of safety technologies throughout the North American manufacturing sector.

Heule Tool Corp., Cincinnati, announced Bullock Tooling & Accessories Inc., Upland, Calif., as the company's representative in Southern California.

The Manufacturing Leadership Council's 800+ members have identified the most urgent and important issues disrupting the manufacturing industry over the next twelve months as it pursues a more efficient, agile, and data-driven future. MLC bills itself as "the world's foremost executive leadership organization dedicated to driving transformational growth for the world's manufacturing companies."