Lockheed Martin announced today it is adding 240 employees by 2020 in an expansion to its Pike County Operations facility in Troy, through a partnership with the state.

Gov. Robert Bentley was in Troy this morning to make the announcement.

The expansion will help meet an increase in U.S. and international orders for Lockheed's joint air-to-surface standoff missile and its terminal high altitude area defense missile. The missiles will be assembled in Pike County.

The state will be pitching in $2.5 million to fund infrastructure improvements related to job creation, state officials said.

North Alabama cleaned up this morning at the Business Council of Alabama and Alabama Technology Network's 2015 Manufacturer of the Year awards in Montgomery.

The MOTY ceremony, which has recognized Alabama businesses since 2000, honors companies that excel in leadership, performance and operations, customer focus, profitability and workforce relations. An independent panel of judges selected the winners.

The program is a top event for the BCA, Alabama Technology Network, Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Jay Timmons, CEO and president of NAM, was the keynote speaker during the ceremony.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Huntsville has a new general manager of production.

Bob Crull is responsible for Toyota's four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engine lines. Crull, who has served in different leadership roles at Toyota over the past 10 years, has experience with expansion projects and in engineering and production operations.

The Madison resident, who has a wife and daughter, has spent his career working in the automotive manufacturing business.

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[Birmingham Business Journal]