Southeast Industrial and Manufacturing News & Events Briefing — October 16, 2026

SK On Tennessee is cutting 40 jobs at the former BlueOval SK battery plant. That affects the plant workforce and signals a reduction in activity at the site, but the excerpt does not say whether the cuts are temporary, what roles are affected, or what caused them.

nbc39.com

Elevra Lithium is asking for a federal air permit tied to a mine and chemical plants in Bessemer City. The piece matters for the local plant footprint, nearby suppliers, and regulators because it signals another permitting step before the site can move ahead.

The Business Journals

Lundell Plastics is buying Poly Tech, a Georgia maker of agricultural plastic products. The excerpt does not say whether any plant, workforce, or supplier operations in Georgia will change hands or be altered.

Plastics News

The story is about Stow opening its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgia, which is a plant-level industrial development in the metals and materials space. It affects local manufacturing capacity and likely the supplier base tied to that facility, but the excerpt does not say what is being made, how large the plant is, or what jobs or investment are attached.

Roofing Contractor

Qcells is changing part of its solar panel supply chain by using frames made in Tennessee. The piece matters for the local materials supplier base and for the plant work tied to solar manufacturing, but the excerpt does not say which facility made the frames or whether the change affects hiring, output, or investment.

Chattanooga Times Free Press

A Dutch manufacturer is putting money into a Georgia plant that makes semiconductor equipment. The story matters for the local plant and its supplier network, but the excerpt does not say whether the work adds jobs, changes production, or triggers permitting or incentives.

Manufacturing.net