Ecolab to acquire ultra-pure water business for $1.8B to support chips production

The combination would allow the chemicals company to leverage Ovivo’s water treatment technologies to better serve growing semiconductor demand.

Rivian moving forward on $5B Georgia EV plant

The electric vehicle manufacturer had ceased construction on the facility near Social Circle in 2024 to cut costs.

Foxconn, Softbank to establish joint data center equipment factory

The Apple product manufacturer sold the Lordstown, Ohio, facility to the Japan-based conglomerate for $375 million.

Softbank offers lifeline to Intel with $2B investment

The deal coincides with unconfirmed reports that the Trump administration is considering a minority government stake in the semiconductor company.

US expands scope of Section 232 steel, aluminum tariffs

Truck trailers, certain car parts and numerous household appliances will now face 50% levies, per guidance from Customs and Border Protection.

Lithium-ion battery recyclers see challenges, opportunities under Trump

While the administration has moved to strip electric vehicle incentives and cancel some grants, it’s still focused on lithium’s value as a critical mineral for manufacturers.

Deere to lay off 238 Midwest workers amid struggling tractor market

The company is making the cuts after reporting sales and income declines in the latest quarter. An Illinois agency also erroneously reported that hundreds more workers would be affected.

Chemical Safety Board investigating US Steel explosion that killed 2

The steel maker released its own preliminary report, saying the blast that injured 10 people at the coke facility in Clairton, Pennsylvania, may have been caused by a failed gas valve.

Updated Aug. 18, 2025

Tyson adjusts beef production in face of low supply, healthy demand

The meat processor has cut costs from its operation and slowed processing speeds to get the most from record-low cattle availability.

Grinding gears: Tractor makers keep output low amid weak sales

Deere, CNH and Agco are also raising prices and retooling their supplier bases to mitigate the effects of higher steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as country-specific policies.

Trump says semiconductor tariffs to come next week

The president indicated that duties on chips would be “approximately 100%” earlier this month.

Heat pump adoption expected to grow despite federal shift

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act accelerates a move toward affordability, ease of installation and retrofit readiness, according to one manufacturer.

GE Appliances to invest $3B in US manufacturing

The funds will help the front-load washer manufacturer continue to reshore production from Mexico and China. The company’s first phase of its plans will focus on plants located in Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.

DOL to provide $30M in training grants on AI, skilled trades

The federal funds aim to help address critical workforce shortages nationwide, including in manufacturing.

AI pilot problem: Why manufacturing’s digital transformation is stalling

Latent AI CEO Jags Kandasamy says that manufacturers should design their artifical intelligence systems at scale from the start, rather than getting stuck on smaller projects.

Trump nominates new BLS head after report says 11K manufacturing jobs lost in July

The job cuts align with reduced activity across sectors amid trade uncertainty, experts said. Semiconductors, automotive, machinery, beverage, tobacco and leather manufacturing collectively lost more than 2,000 jobs last month.

GM inks domestic rare earth magnet supply deal with Noveon Magnetics

The Texas-based company is supplying neodymium magnets, which are the most powerful commercially available and used in a wide range of automotive applications.

Manufacturing-focused SPAC backed by Trump brothers seeks $300M IPO

The Florida-based firm is looking for private companies advancing U.S. industrial capacity and technological leadership and innovation.

Why manufacturing needs a purpose revolution — not just a digital one

Bringing employees together around a shared objective and sense of community can drive better decisions and productivity, writes LicenSys Group’s Matteo Neri.

US to maintain lower tariff rates on China imports for 90 more days

China also extended its suspension of additional retaliatory duties against U.S. goods, maintaining current rates until November.

Century Aluminum to restart production in South Carolina, citing Trump’s tariffs

The $50 million investment will increase domestic aluminum production by nearly 10%, the company said, as it also considers additional plant investments.

Spirit AeroSystems Q2 revenues improved, but still lost $631M

Agreements with major customers Boeing and Airbus have now been delayed to Q4 due to regulatory hurdles.

Updated Aug. 11, 2025

Ex-Tesla HR pros allege they were ‘penalized and pushed out’ for reporting bias

The wide-ranging lawsuit concerns the automaker’s Fremont, California, facility that has been at the center of several previous discrimination lawsuits.

Semiconductor industry reacts to tariff plans; Trump targets Intel CEO

A U.S. trade group expressed support for the proposed 100% levy on imported chips during a turbulent period for the industry.

No fun: Mattel, Hasbro face retailer delays, tariff costs

Jakks Pacific and other toymakers are strategically raising prices and diversifying their sourcing to mitigate trade pressures.