Q&A

Exclusive interviews with industry leaders

  • A bright beam of light etching a large round wafer, color-graded in orchid.
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    SandboxAQ’s goal to find PFAS-free alternatives for the semiconductor industry

    The Silicon Valley startup developed an advanced computational method to also help find alternatives for rare-earth-free magnets, catalysts and batteries in the sector, said Stefan Leichenauer, VP of engineering.

    Sara Samora • Aug. 20, 2026
  • 3D printed parts sit on a tabletop
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    Permission granted by Z Polymers
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    New materials are key to manufacturing innovation: Z-Polymers

    CEO Mike Zimmerman spoke about the challenges of developing and commercializing new materials, including problems related to funding, scale-up and the labor force.

    Jeff Kinney • Aug. 18, 2026
  • Loftware company headquarters building against a blue sky
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    Loftware public relations.

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    How Loftware uses AI to streamline packaging and labeling

    Artificial intelligence is helping companies track what is actually in the packages they ship to avoid costly delays and mistakes, Loftware CEO Jim Bureau said.

    Jeff Kinney • Aug. 4, 2026
  • Productivity Improvement of Welding Assembly Lines in Manufacturing Industry. Manufacturing Process Engineers having discussion on welding jig design data to improve and reduce defect loss of work piece in welding process.
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    Getty Images
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    MIT wants technologists to be the nurse practitioners for manufacturing

    John Liu, principal research scientist at the institute, spoke about the TechAMP program and what feedback has been like from its first cohort in the aerospace and defense sectors.

    Nathan Owens • July 29, 2026
  • A close-up view of a modern glass and metal checkered facade building with a logo that reads, "Google Cloud."
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    Alamy
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    AI-assisted training: How Google Cloud is addressing workforce challenges

    Companies can leverage AI to enhance onboarding and inspections through audio, video and image validation, said Praveen Rao, Google Cloud’s global head of manufacturing.

    Nathan Owens • July 22, 2026
  • A printed textile swatch being removed from the build plate at Variloom
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    Permission granted by Variloom
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    On-demand 3D printing for apparel can cut waste, costs: Variloom

    The company's printing technology allows the design and production of customizable, recyclable fabrics in days instead of months, says Venture Lead Bethany Meuleners.

    Jeff Kinney • July 22, 2026
  • A row of black drones lined up on a table next to blue plastic shelf bins.
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    Courtesy of Powerus
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    How a drone maker aims to fix the supply chain

    Powerus co-founder and U.S. Army veteran Brett Velicovich explains how the company is working to bring the drone end-to-end manufacturing process to the United States.

    Sara Samora • July 8, 2026
  • A Bredel 80 hose pump sits at a manufacturing facility
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    Permission granted by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions
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    Remote sensors can cut downtime: Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

    Manufacturers are using remote, connected sensors and real-time monitoring for proactive maintenance, says Connected Services Digital Product Manager Ignacio Basualdo.

    Jeff Kinney • July 7, 2026
  • A faded red commercial canopy over a glass door entrance of a white building.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive
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    Moving the needle: How a vinyl producer became comfortable with instability

    Furnace Record Pressing CEO Ali Miller explains how the vinyl record manufacturer fine-tunes its process to service its customers.

    Sara Samora • June 29, 2026
  • MassMEP President Kathie Mahoney stands on a stage at a podium that says "DCU"
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    Cole Rosengren/Manufacturing Dive
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    MassMEP president talks AI adoption, funding and the evolving industry

    Kathie Mahoney spoke with Manufacturing Dive at a recent event about how the sector has changed since MassMEP was founded 30 years ago and the group’s current state legislative priorities.

    Cole Rosengren • June 16, 2026
  • Construction workers move material on a jobsite.
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    Getty Images
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    Permitting Council director stresses engagement for major projects

    Manufacturers seeking permits should "talk to everyone" — especially local politicians and other knowledgeable community members — about possible roadblocks, said the council’s executive director Emily Domenech.

    Jeff Kinney • June 8, 2026
  • CreateMe's Modular-Engineering Robotic Assembly system sits in a manufacturing facility with an American flag in the background
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    Permission granted by CreateME
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    Physical AI is ready for wider adoption in some applications: CreateMe CEO

    The technology can now control robots doing limited tasks, said Cam Myers. His automated soft materials manufacturing company created systems that use physical AI to revamp how textiles are made.

    Jeff Kinney • May 29, 2026
  • A close-up of a plastic fan propeller 3D printing process.
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    Getty Images
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    Artemis II, dental aligners and more: The case for additive manufacturing

    More industries including aerospace and defense are using this technology to rapidly process and scale parts, said Brett Conner, chief manufacturing officer of SME.

    Nathan Owens • May 21, 2026
  • Agile Robots' humanoid robot Agile ONE poses its hand over a button as if it were to press it.
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    Courtesy of Deutsche Telekom AG / Cindy Albrecht
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    Agile Robots to tap into new sectors with latest acquisition

    Founder and CEO Zhaopeng Chen said the deal allows the startup to expand its market reach into North America and enhances its overall physical AI strategy.

    Nathan Owens • April 10, 2026
  • Standard Bots robotic arms demonstrate grabbing and picking up items.
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    Courtesy of Standard Bots
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    US robotics needs more reforms and incentives, Standard Bots CEO says

    After participating in discussions on Capitol Hill this week, Evan Beard recommended offtake agreements and credits for purchasing robotics from U.S. companies, as well as solutions to improve workforce training.

    Nathan Owens • March 13, 2026
  • A person with short hair and a black shirt speaking to two people.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive
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    How a Marine veteran learned to lead on the plant floor

    Kelly Harris shares how military experience helped her career as a site manager at an Air Products facility in Arizona and what opportunities she sees for veterans in manufacturing.

    Sara Samora • Nov. 10, 2025
  • A person wearing a helmet while welding
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    Permission granted by Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America
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    The private equity firm that wants to revitalize US manufacturing

    Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America has a unique approach of employee ownership as its exit strategy. Cofounder Jason Azevedo and DTC lead Elton Rivas talk about evolving costs, consumer trends and more.

    Cole Rosengren • Aug. 28, 2025
  • Two silver assembly lines with solar panels in a beige factory room.
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    Courtesy of Heliene.

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    How Heliene prepared for Trump’s tariffs

    The solar module manufacturer invested heavily in its domestic production network ahead of the president's second term, says CEO Martin Pochtaruk.

    Sara Samora • Feb. 26, 2025
  • A lineup of plastic cleaning product containers without labels
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    Getty Images
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    What’s next for product certification amid concerns about PFAS and toxics in plastic

    Lagging regulation and a potential “toxic treadmill” with recycled content are viewed as just some of today’s pressing challenges. Clean Production Action Executive Director Mark Rossi reflects on two decades of change in the field.

    Cole Rosengren • Sept. 30, 2024
  • Lilly Biotechnology Center in San Diego, California
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    Getty Images
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    How Lilly is balancing manufacturing growth and sustainability

    The drugmaker's head of ESG is keeping the focus on sustainability as the company pours $18 billion into production efforts across the globe.

    Michael Gibney • Sept. 17, 2024
  • A person in a dark blue suit with a large U.S. flag in the background
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    3 questions for Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves

    The leader tells Manufacturing Dive how the agency is helping connect manufacturers with resources to grow the industry in the U.S.

    Sara Samora • July 17, 2024
  • dewalt
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    Permission granted by Stanley Black and Decker
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    ‘How to have a voice at a table’: Stanley Black & Decker’s Maria Ford on women in manufacturing

    With more than 25 years in the industrial space, Ford talks about the importance of visibility in women's leadership and shedding old stereotypes.

    Joelle Anselmo • April 1, 2024
  • An engineer works on a printed circuit board.
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    Getty Images
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    Changing perceptions: Manufacturing’s top recruitment and retention challenges

    More than just compensation, Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee says workers want a strong culture and opportunities to grow in their career.

    Kate Magill • Oct. 30, 2023
  • An engineer uses a tablet with a holographic innovative application, to model and design and monitor a 3D model of an aircraft engine while on an automated robotic line at an aerospace factory
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    Courtesy of Siemens
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    How Siemens is improving chip production with digital twins

    VP Alan Porter discusses how incorporating the data and tech solution allows the company to improve the semiconductor manufacturing process.

    Kate Magill • May 23, 2023
  • The logo of Google Cloud is seen at the 2023 Hannover Messe industrial trade fair on April 17, 2023 in Hanover, Germany.
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    Alexander Koerner via Getty Images
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    A Google Cloud tech exec on AI and manufacturing

    Manufacturing Dive spoke with one of the tech giant's manufacturing leaders about how companies can integrate the tools into their operations.

    Kate Magill • April 19, 2023