The Latest

  • Neura's 4NE1 humanoid works an automotive assembly line.
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    Courtesy of Neura Robotics
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    Factory robots surpass 5M worldwide, IFR reports

    That number has doubled over the past seven years and is set to continue growing as manufacturers navigate labor and cost pressures, according to the robotics trade group.

  • A person wearing safety glasses and a dark blue t-shirt working a machine.
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    Retrieved from Jonathan Estrada-Eguizabal / U.S. Navy.
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    Defense Department expands workforce development program to 3 states

    The BuildFreedom.US initiative will extend to Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. The program launched in July and aims to bring awareness to “AI-proof” jobs in the defense industrial base’s talent pipeline.

  • robots sit on the floor of a display area at IMTS 2026
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    Jeff Kinney/Manufacturing Dive
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    These ‘4 pillars’ are critical for successful automation

    “People, processes, data and systems” are essential elements of any automation strategy, Sven Diedrich, head of digital transformation and business solutions at Pinaxis, said at IMTS in Chicago.

  • Workers operate Amazon's robotics manufacturing line in Massachusetts.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon, US Steel, Pirelli and others make facility investments

    Additionally, Eli Lilly broke ground on its Houston facility, and auto parts suppliers Hansae and Toyotetsu announced U.S. expansions. Meanwhile, Amy’s Kitchen and others are shuttering facilities.

  • Cheerios boxes on a store shelf
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    6 food manufacturers talk supply chain tactics

    General Mills, Nestlé and more discussed how they are cutting operational costs, navigating uneven freight rates and sharpening demand forecasting at a Barclays conference.

  • A stone-gray shade building with onyx shade lining, with the red, white and yellow Lego logo sign on the side of it.
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    Courtesy of The Lego Group
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    Lego to spend $400M expanding manufacturing facility in Mexico

    The toymaker plans to add packing and warehousing capabilities, as well as create 1,300 jobs at the Monterrey site.

  • FANUC robots sit on the floor at IMTS 2026
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    Photo by Jeff Kinney/Manufacturing Dive
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    Automation, AI among biggest trends shaping manufacturing in 2026: AMT

    Demand for automation is "off the charts" due in part to the manufacturing labor shortage, and AI is driving major demand for power transmission and electrical equipment, said principal economist Chris Chidzik.

  • Pickup trucks are lined up within a factory to be assembled.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing growth drives need for hazardous waste solutions: Veolia

    Hazardous waste volumes may grow 4 millions tons by 2033 due to increased manufacturing activity in semiconductors, autos, biotech and more. A Veolia-backed report outlines the need for capacity to keep up.

  • Unilever's Gandhidham personal care manufacturing site in India.
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    Courtesy of Unilever
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    How manufacturers can improve factory sustainability through AI

    Experts at Climate Week NYC 2026 discussed how to leverage technologies to drive energy efficiencies, including predictive maintenance and machine-learning models for critical minerals recovery.

  • A white label with care instructions attached to a baby pink sweater-like clothing.
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    Getty Images
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    Federal judge blocks New Mexico’s PFAS label mandate

    The regulation, which was set to begin Jan. 1, 2027, would have required manufacturers to label their products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under a state law banning the chemicals.

  • Exreme heat warning sign
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Electronics manufacturers fret over extreme heat disruptions

    High temperatures are delaying supplier deliveries and hobbling productivity in the process, per the Global Electronics Association.

  • One person in a camouflage uniform, and seven others in business attire, standing on stage holding an orange ribbon.
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    Courtesy of Arkansas Economic Development Commission
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    Hanwha Defense to establish $2.2B manufacturing campus in Arkansas

    The South Korea-based conglomerate’s subsidiary will produce propellant charges for 155mm artillery and base-bleed units on the U.S. Army’s Pine Bluff Arsenal installation.

  • Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoids conduct tasks at an automotive plant.
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    Courtesy of Boston Dynamics
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    Boston Dynamics begins robotics testing at Hyundai, outlines expansion

    The company is training its Atlas humanoids to take over repetitive and heavy tasks at the automaker’s factories, with plans to begin component assembly by 2030.

  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom enacts Senate Bill 131, which exempts advanced manufacturers from undergoing the state' environmental review process.
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    Courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom's office
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    Gov. Newsom vetoes bill narrowing CEQA advanced manufacturing exemption

    The legislation would have added hurdles and compliance costs for facility projects in the state, industry groups said.

  • Agility Robotics' Digit 5 humanoid.
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    Courtesy of Agility Robotics
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    Agility debuts ‘first cooperatively safe humanoid,’ a milestone in robotics

    Additionally, Universal Robots and Fanuc America introduced new robots at IMTS in Chicago.

  • Smoke emitting from a missile shot out from a ground-based mobile launching station under a mostly cloudy and dusky sky.
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    Courtesy of Lockheed Martin
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    GM delivers first PAC-3 components to Lockheed Martin

    General Motors’ defense subsidiary provided the components 22 days after it signed an agreement with the weapons maker. 

  • Hydundai Motor Group's Atlas humanoid robot is on stage at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
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    Q&A

    Humanoids ‘deviating’ attention from core manufacturing issues: Schneider

    Andre Marino, senior vice president of industrial automation at Schneider Electric, spoke with Manufacturing Dive about the future of the industry and the shift to a software-defined framework.

  • An external overhead view of a large tan building surrounded by a parking lot with cars, grass and trees.
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    Courtesy of Reckitt
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    Manufacturing output down in August; investments by Reckitt, Hitachi

    Several companies also announced workforce reductions recently, including Sapporo and Pepsi. Meanwhile, industrial production remained flat and orders of metalworking machinery increased.

  • Daimler Truck manufacturing engine line workers
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    Retrived from Daimler Truck 

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    Manufacturers make patching progress, but identity management still major weakness

    Misconfigurations remain widespread in the manufacturing sector, including internet-accessible remote-access software, a new report found.

  • The United States Capitol surrounded by trees
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    Megan Quinn/Manufacturing Dive
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    House passes trio of critical minerals bills, including battery updates

    Other bills focused on recovering critical materials at contaminated waste sites and updating the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The National Association of Manufacturers previously said these bills aligned with its policy agenda.

  • A robotic arm lifts a pallet of merchandise inside an Amazon Fulfillment Center on Feb. 13, 2015 in DuPont, Washington.
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    Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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    ‘We’re going to stop talking about AI,’ and other industrial predictions

    Executives and leaders from Fanuc America, Honeywell Technologies, Generac and Briggs and Stratton discussed the current impacts and future of artificial intelligence at IMTS in Chicago.

  • Three people in professional business attire walking, with a white and red-brick building in the background under the sun.
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    Courtesy of Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochu
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    4 states open manufacturing workforce facilities, expand programs

    New York, Illinois, New Mexico and Ohio officials have passed laws and formed industry partnerships with local schools to boost workforce development in their respective states.

  • Kevin Warsh
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Fed hikes main interest rate by quarter point, citing stubborn inflation

    The monetary tightening provoked criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on the Fed to cut the main interest rate regardless of price pressures.

  • The United States flag as a microchip in the center of a gray motherboard.
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    Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Tracking CHIPS and Science Act awards

    IBM on Wednesday finalized its $1 billion award with the Department of Commerce. The funds will go toward Anderon’s research and development efforts to advance quantum wafer manufacturing.

    Updated Sept. 16, 2026
  • A person wearing a helmet, safety glasses, vest and gloves working on a portable device that powers the yellow robotic arms.
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    Getty Images
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    NIST awards over $30M to 12 Manufacturing Extension Partnership sites

    The money will back MEP centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico to assist small- and medium-sized businesses with adopting advanced technologies such as AI, automation and robotics.