Labor

  • Blue Fashion Avenue street sign above the blue Seventh Avenue street sign in front of a brown brick building.
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    Ralph Lauren, CFDA launch 2 fashion manufacturing grant programs

    The initiatives aim to help manufacturers and designers modernize equipment, expand services and train workers in New York City’s Garment District and apparel-producing regions nationwide.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Blonde woman works as a welder in workshop, operating welding machine, wearing protective clothing and a welding mask
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    Getty Images
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    Illinois offers $24M in grants for manufacturing training programs

    Applicants outside of the Chicago metropolitan area can apply for grants valued between $3 million and $6 million through the end of April.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • A person uses a torch cutter with a backwards hat in a manufacturing facility Explore the Trendline➔
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    Trendline

    Upskilling a Modern Manufacturing Workforce

    As manufacturing systems change, often becoming more automated and technical, employers are increasingly looking for ways to attract a more skilled workforce.

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
  • Two people in standing in front of an large high-definition screen of a human robot in a factory.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
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    5 manufacturing trends to watch in 2026

    Companies are navigating through tariff uncertainty and evolving policy changes as the industry invests in domestic production, AI, automation and workforce development programs.

    By , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • An outdoor petroleum facility.
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    US manufacturing activity drops to lowest point of 2025: PMI

    Weak demand and tariff effects are weighing on companies as the U.S.’ recent military operation in Venezuela adds more uncertainty to the mix.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
  • A white factory with the blue U.S. Steel logo and U.S. flag on the building.
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    Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
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    US Steel refused to accommodate pregnant mine worker, EEOC alleges

    The steel manufacturer allegedly placed a pregnant employee on leave and assigned her undesirable jobs outside her role, according to an EEOC lawsuit.

    By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 5, 2026
  • Overhead view of an automotive assembly line with robotics
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    Getty Images
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    By the numbers: 2025 manufacturing trends

    Reflect on the year through key data points about tariffs, domestic investments, M&A, the manufacturing workforce, federal policy, AI and more.

    By , , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Sparks fly as a student wearing a Clark State Softball sweatshirt runs a robotic welding unit
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    Permission granted by Jimmy Straley, Clark State College
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    Community colleges are training the next generation of manufacturing workers

    Rutgers University explored how community colleges are responding to regional workforce training demands. Clark State College and Columbus State Community College are among those partnering with local manufacturers. 

    By Michelle No • Dec. 18, 2025
  • Doug Field, Ford's chief EV, digital and design officer, speaks at a presentation in August 2025 announcing the automaker's new Universal EV Platform.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford scraps EV plans, shifts to hybrids, EREVs and low-cost models

    The automaker will focus its North American EV development on a new family of smaller, highly efficient and less expensive models.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • Coca-Cola cans on a pallet.
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    George Frey via Getty Images
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    Foxconn and Anthro Energy among latest companies to invest in US facilities

    Beverage maker Swire Coca-Cola and tractor firm Bad Boy Mowers are also investing in manufacturing facilities to expand domestic production.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
  • The Capitol Hill building on a cloudy day in Washington, D.C.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive
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    Senate votes to confirm EPA, NLRB nominees

    Douglas Troutman and Jeffrey Hall will head chemical and compliance departments within the EPA. Scott Mayer, of Boeing, will serve on the National Labor Relations Board.

    By • Updated Dec. 19, 2025
  • Entrance to the U.S. Department of Commerce building in Washington, D.C., on May 9, 2017.
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    Alamy
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    Commerce Department freezes Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership funds

    The move puts more than 100 jobs across the state at risk as a yearslong audit is completed.

    By • Dec. 12, 2025
  • Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell answers questions from reporters
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Fed trims main rate by quarter point, forecasts one cut in 2026

    Policymakers reduced borrowing costs for the third time in 2025 amid persistent signs of cooling in the labor market.

    By Jim Tyson • Updated Dec. 10, 2025
  • A rendering of Eli Lilly's planned $6 billion factory coming to Huntsville, Alabama.
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    Courtesy of Eli Lilly
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    Lilly to build $6B weight-loss drug factory in Alabama

    This is the third of four planned U.S. manufacturing sites the pharmaceutical giant has unveiled this year, set to bring 450 factory jobs to the Huntsville area.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • Workers assemble the GMC Hummer EV SUV.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    Manufacturing sees 329K separations in October, 6K job cuts in September

    The plastics and rubber products sector was one of the hardest hit. The data release was delayed by the recent government shutdown.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Boston Dynamics' Spot robot is on display at IFS' Industrial X Unleashed event in New York City on Nov. 13, 2025.
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    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive
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    Robots, virtualization and grid risks are top of mind for executives

    As data centers and robotics come online, the electrical grid is becoming a growing risk for the tech industry, experts said at IFS’ Industrial X Unleashed event in New York City.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • A ladle of holt molten iron is poured into a Basic Oxygen Process furnace where it will be transformed into liquid steel.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Steel Corp.

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    US Steel to resume idled blast furnace at Illinois plant

    The decision signals a reversal in the company’s September plans to reduce slab production at Granite City Works, in turn bringing back up to 500 jobs.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • Four planes flying above the clouds with the blue and white Boeing logo on the bottom of the fuselage and the 737 on the rudder.
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    Courtesy of Flight Pavilion Studios / Boeing
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    Boeing completes $8.3B Spirit AeroSystems acquisition

    Airbus and Composites Technology Research Malaysia have also completed acquisitions of the fuselage maker’s assets, which supply components to both aircraft manufacturers.

    By • Updated Dec. 9, 2025
  • Laptops on display on a beige table in a store.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Apple expands manufacturing training program with online courses

    The iPhone maker’s Apple Manufacturing Program was previously only available in person in Detroit. The initiative is part of the manufacturer’s $600 billion commitment to boost the advanced manufacturing sector in the U.S.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • Algoma Steel workers stand in front of the company's new electric arc furnace.
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    Courtesy of Algoma Steel
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    Sharpie maker Newell Brands among recent holiday layoffs

    Meanwhile, Algoma Steel is shutting down its blast furnace and coke-making operations in the coming months and apparel manufacturer Renfro Brands is closing its Fort Payne, Alabama, factory.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
  • A large group of people in Awake Window & Door's manufacturing facility
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    Permission granted by Awake Window & Door Co.
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    Second-chance hiring continues to gain traction among major manufacturers

    Companies in multiple sectors have seen positive results from hiring and upskilling formerly incarcerated people. Adjusting recruitment and training approaches can open up a significantly larger talent pool.

    By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 4, 2025
  • Four women sitting in chairs next to each other, and each holding their own microphone.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive
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    How child care opens more opportunities for manufacturers

    Companies can see a return on investment, such as fewer absences and increased productivity, when they utilize 45F tax incentives to provide child care and benefits.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • Nissan Smyrna Tennessee plant production line
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    Provided by Nissan Motor Co. 

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    Tariffs remain heart of uncertainty: PMI

    The levies are having the opposite effect on manufacturing sectors such as transportation equipment, which chose to offshore operations rather than expand in the U.S., said ISM.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Workers put up scaffolding on a building owned by the contract manufacturer Foxconn International Holdings Ltd on November 28, 2010 in Shenzhen, China.
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    Daniel Berehulak via Getty Images
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    Foxconn to spend $569M expanding Wisconsin factory

    The investment comes days after the Apple product manufacturer announced a collaboration deal with OpenAI.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
  • Standard Bots CEO Evan Beard testifying at a U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee hearing on November 18.
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    Retrieved from Youtube.
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    US robotics maker urges manufacturing reforms, citing cost concerns

    If no action is taken, Standard Bots CEO Evan Beard said at a congressional hearing that inexpensive robots from China will flood the US market as automation demand swells.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • tyson foods truck
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    "Tysons Food Donation 2012" by Central Texas Food Bank is licensed under CC BY-ND 1.0
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    Tyson to shutter major beef plant in Nebraska amid US cattle shortage

    The meatpacker is set to lay off more than 3,200 workers and cut production at a Texas facility as it positions the business for “long term success.”  

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 25, 2025