Labor

  • Two people standing outside holding signs that inform passerbyers of its union strike against its company.
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    Retrieved from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/Facebook on April 09, 2026
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    Over 1,300 Winchester workers strike at Olin factory in Missouri

    The IAM union said “very little production” is taking place at the Winchester ammunition plant, which produces small arms cartridges, such as the 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 Caliber, for the U.S. military.

    By • Updated April 10, 2026
  • A blonde woman in a blue sports coat and white blouse standing behind a microphone and poodium.
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    Mike Kropf via Getty Images
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    Virginia governor signs 4 laws establishing manufacturing grant programs

    The new legislation will support upcoming facilities valued at approximately $7.1 billion by Avio USA, Hitachi Energy, Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca.

    By • April 8, 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
  • GrayMatter Robotics technology performs autonomous grinding.
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    Courtesy of GrayMatter Robotics
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    US’ largest shipbuilder teams with GrayMatter Robotics on physical AI

    The partnership builds on HII’s automation strategy following a welding-focused deal with Path Robotics in February.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • Production line workers dressed in blue uniforms with yellow stripes on sleeves and wearing a white mask and blue hairnet, collecting baked biscuits from the conveyor belt .
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturers test AI-translation tech to improve worker communications

    Companies like Volvo and Mars are also using digital-first platforms to enhance document translations for improved safety and regulatory compliance.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • Two workers inspect a vehicle body on the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
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    Manufacturing employment bounces back in March, adding 15K jobs

    The transportation equipment and fabricated metal products sectors gained the most jobs last month, while the chemical sector lost the most.

    By • April 3, 2026
  • Six people wearing blue protected coats and goggles
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    Courtesy of Boeing
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    Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE, Honeywell Aerospace ink deals with Defense Department

    The companies are ramping up weapons production after meeting with President Donald Trump in March amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A black fence connected by brick, with a security checkpoint at the building entrance and two white buildings in the background.
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    Courtesy of The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation
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    ACMI, John Hopkins University collaborate to build manufacturing workforce in US

    The university’s Whiting School of Engineering will create safety and training initiatives focused on the company’s National Security Industrial Hub and Munitions campus in Bloomfield, Indiana, which broke ground in February.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • Deloitte offices in downtown San Jose on May 5, 2019.
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    Agentic AI has the potential to rattle the manufacturing status quo: Deloitte

    The technology can enhance risk mitigation and worker roles by reducing cycle times and conducting autonomous decision-making.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • A man wearing a yellow safety vest and red hard hat working on equipment with tubes.
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    Getty Images
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    Eaton to establish data center-focused segment

    The new segment follows the electrical component manufacturer’s $9.5 billion thermal business acquisition from Boyd. Angie McMillin, president of the segment, shares more about the company’s plans.

    By • Updated March 31, 2026
  • Three people, each in their own box, with two on top of one.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive, data from Screenshot of the virtual event panel/Manufacturing Dive
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    How food manufacturers can benefit from AI and other technologies

    Experts at the virtual Food Manufacturing Summit said companies can leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence to comply with U.S. regulations and heighten food safety.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • A rendering of UCB's new Gwinett County, Georgia, manufacturing campus.
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    Courtesy of UCB
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    Belgian drugmaker UCB to invest $2B in factory near Atlanta

    The expansion would establish the company’s first biologics manufacturing plant in the United States.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • A concept rendering of the $5.8 billion BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, Kentucky.
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    BlueOval SK delays layoffs at Kentucky battery plant

    Ford recently announced it was dissolving its $11.4 billion EV battery joint venture, its largest manufacturing commitment in the company’s history.

    By • March 23, 2026
  • People wearing button-up shirts and slacks holding folders over their laps as they sit in chairs and wait.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing job openings increased to nearly 500K in January

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics also released revised data from December 2025, including 10,000 fewer separations than initially reported.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • Standard Bots robotic arms demonstrate grabbing and picking up items.
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    Courtesy of Standard Bots
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    Q&A

    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.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • A large silver factory next to a highway with cars.
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    Courtesy of SK Battery America.

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    SK Battery America lays off nearly 1,000 workers at Georgia plant

    The company is slashing its Commerce site workforce to 1,600, citing electric vehicle market conditions.

    By , • Updated March 9, 2026
  • A sign spelling Novartis hangs on the side of a building.
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    Getty Images
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    Novartis, Nucor partner US Forged Rings and others expand domestic investments

    Akston is also ramping up production at its pet therapy facility in Louisiana and a switchboards maker plans to invest $79 million in a former Joann Fabrics facility in Alabama.

    By • March 6, 2026
  • Two people standing face to face on a plastics production line.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing lost 12,000 jobs in February

    The plastics and rubber product and transportation equipment sectors lost the most jobs last month at approximately 4,200 and 4,000, respectively, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

    By • March 6, 2026
  • construction of a Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant in Austin, Texas
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    BackyardProduction via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing slump hit nonresidential construction spending in December

    Expenditures on highway and street projects, the third largest subcategory, also tumbled 0.4% month to month to close the year, according to the latest Census Bureau data. 

    By Sebastian Obando • March 4, 2026
  • An area with a large white building next to a parking lot with cars, trees and grass.
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    Courtesy of MP Materials
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    MP Materials execs share next steps for $1.3B Texas rare earth magnet site

    The Dallas-Fort Worth area site is part of the company's $500 million agreement with the Defense Department, prompting lawmakers to question the deal during a senate hearing.

    By • March 2, 2026
  • A view of the exterior of the Department of Labor building.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Labor Department provides $81M for training of formerly incarcerated

    The agency said the funding is aimed at helping people gain experience and secure employment in skilled trades and high-demand industries like manufacturing.

    By • March 2, 2026
  • Overhead view of white robotic arms on an assembly line
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    Getty Images
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    Automation in manufacturing will more than double by 2030: PwC

    A survey of hundreds of executives show they are most interested in adopting technology at the production/operations and product design/development levels.

    By • Feb. 27, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    DOL moves to loosen independent contractor regulations

    The agency proposed a return to the “economic reality test” adopted during the first Trump administration.

    By Caroline Colvin • Feb. 27, 2026
  • A woman standing behind a podium with people holding up blue, white and red "Save our jobs" signs standing behind her.
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    Permission granted by International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
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    Whirlpool to lay off over 300 at Iowa plant as Machinists try to save jobs

    The appliance manufacturer also plans to implement a second wave of job cuts at the Amana facility in the second quarter and move production to its operations in Mexico.

    By • Feb. 26, 2026
  • Apple employees work at the company's Houston facility, where it assembles servers for data centers around the country.
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    Courtesy of Apple, Inc.
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    Apple to produce Mac mini computers in US for the first time

    The move would double the iPhone maker’s manufacturing footprint in Houston. The company also plans to expand production of its servers and provide worker training in the city.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
  • An orange hard hat on the floor and two workers in yellow vests blurred in the background.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing industry had over 300 workplace deaths in 2024

    The majority of the fatalities were the result of contact incidents, which included encounters with falling or suspended objects, or being caught or compressed by running powered equipment, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026