Labor


  • Three people walk past a line of machines in a building.
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    Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson
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    J&J commits $1B to expand contact lens production in Florida

    The investment will add J&J’s manufacturing, packaging and distribution capabilities to meet growing demand for its contact lenses.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • June 16, 2026
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    Courtesy of JBS
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    JBS to close meat plants in manufacturing reshuffle

    The company plans to lay off at least 2,000 workers as it shutters a Pennsylvania beef processing facility and makes changes at majority-owned Pilgrim’s Pride.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • June 15, 2026
  • Trendline

    Navigating Manufacturing Compliance Trends

    Manufacturers must manage a quickly evolving landscape of regulations for packaging, chemicals, labor and more.

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
  • A blue and white Lockheed Martin sign on the left of a blue archway that's over a white parking attendant booth.
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    Getty Images
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    Thousands of Dauch, Lockheed Martin workers vote to ratify union contracts

    Nearly 1,000 UAW-represented Dauch workers’ ratified contract ends the two-week strike at the GM supplier’s Michigan plant. About 5,000 IAM-represented Lockheed Martin employees also voted for a new deal on Sunday.

    By Updated June 15, 2026
  • Nearly 1,000 workers to vote on GM, Ford supplier’s proposal to end strike

    Employees represented by UAW Local 2093 will vote Sunday on the proposed contract presented by Dauch Corp., formerly known as American Axle & Manufacturing.

    By June 11, 2026
  • Left to right: Stacey Weismiller, president and CEO of the American Manufacturing Futures Institute, hosts a panel discussion at New York City's Tech Week with Zach Thomkinson of Standard Bots, Michael Perry of Persona AI, and Paul Lavoie of the University of New Haven.
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    Nathan Owens//Manufacturing Dive/Manufacturing Dive
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    US manufacturers have a technology adoption problem, experts say

    Startup executives and industry advocates at New York City’s Tech Week discussed the challenges behind companies’ digital transformation strategies and where to make improvements.

    By June 10, 2026
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    Courtesy of Harley-Davidson
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    Harley-Davidson to reshore Revolution Max engine production

    The company will also bring manufacturing of its Pan America, Sportster S and Nightster models, which the engine powers, to its Pennsylvania and Wisconsin facilities as part of its financial recovery and growth strategy. 

    By June 10, 2026
  • A blue and white Corning sign on a hill, with a large facility and a parking lot in the background.
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    Courtesy of Corning Inc.
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    Amazon, Corning ink multibillion-dollar deal to ramp up fiber optics manufacturing

    The agreement is expected to create 1,000 jobs at Corning’s fiber-optic plants in North Carolina. The two Fortune 500 companies will also develop a new workforce program with Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory.

    By June 9, 2026
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    US Steel doubles investment to more than $2B for oldest plant

    The company plans to construct a new hot strip mill at the Edgar Thomson plant and improve related Mon Valley Works facilities over the next three years.

    By June 9, 2026
  • A person wearing a helmet and gloves as they weld a tall safe in the shadows.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing industry gained 7,000 jobs in May

    The fabricated metal sector gained the most jobs with 6,800, while the plastics and rubber products segment lost the most jobs with 6,100.

    By June 5, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    USA Rare Earth to invest $1.2B in South Carolina magnet factory

    The project is expected to create 490 jobs and will be supported by recently approved CHIPS Act funding. The U.S. government will become one of the company’s largest shareholders as part of the funding agreement.

    By June 3, 2026
  • A large white facility in the center, with red and white texts on top, "American Icebreaker Factory."
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    Courtesy of Davie Defense
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    Davie Defense breaks ground on $1B shipbuilding site upgrades in Texas

    The modernization projects in Galveston and Port Arthur are part of a finalized $3.5 billion contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to supply five polar icebreaker vessels.

    By June 2, 2026
  • Two people sit on high chairs in front of a projector screen with figures about industrial production
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    Cole Rosengren/Manufacturing Dive
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    MIT bullish on its Initiative for New Manufacturing at the one-year mark

    The group has been funding research projects, touring factories and piloting workforce development programs. Its three co-directors shared highlights during recent events in Boston and Cambridge.

    By Updated June 5, 2026
  • Exterior photo of emergency responders at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington
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    Mathieu Lewis-Rolland via Getty Images
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    Nippon Paper assessing impacts after deadly Washington mill implosion

    Eight deaths were confirmed as of Thursday afternoon. “We support efforts to fully understand the root cause of this incident and identify measures that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future,” AF&PA said in a statement Friday.

    By Maria Rachal • Updated May 29, 2026
  • The back of a person wearing a jungle green tartaned-pattern newsboy cap and a black jacket working on a CNC machine.
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    Courtesy of Advanced Manufacturing Company of America (Amca)
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    Boeing, Lockheed supplier raises $300M, plans to expand factory footprint

    The Advanced Manufacturing Company of America will also use the funds to expand its AI-powered product development platform across its entire operations network.

    By May 20, 2026
  • A reddish-orange SUV on a production line in a factory.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
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    Toyota eyes $2B plant expansion in San Antonio

    That automaker is assessing potential locations and seeking incentives for a new facility in Texas, called Project Orca, with construction set to begin this year.

    By May 18, 2026
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    Kali9 via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Express Employment Professionals

    Manufacturing builds entry-level jobs for the workforce we need

    Why manufacturing protects true entry-level jobs to build skills, careers and long-term talent.

    By Julie Neal • May 18, 2026
  • USG's dry wall board plant on March 12, 2009, at Plaster City, near El Centro, California.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    USG to invest $1.2B in Texas factory

    The project will create nearly 200 jobs and expand the gypsum products manufacturer’s footprint to Orange, where it’s been looking to go since early 2025.

    By May 15, 2026
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    Retrieved from Boeing/LinkedIn on May 12, 2026
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    Boeing plans $1B investment in Kansas facilities

    The plane manufacturer has been integrating the Spirit AeroSystems fuselage plants in Wichita as it prepares to ramp up its monthly 737 Max production from 42 to 47 this summer.

    By May 13, 2026
  • A man in a gray cap and jacket and yellow safety goggles working on a automotive component.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing industry lost 2,000 jobs in April: BLS

    The transportation equipment sector, which includes motor vehicle and trailer manufacturing, lost the most jobs with 3,600. Auto part maker First Brand Group has closed plants as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan.

    By May 11, 2026
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    Courtesy of Purdue University
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    Defense Department increases microelectronics workforce program contract to $100M

    The Purdue University-led SCALE consortium aims to attract and develop a skilled technical workforce to support DOD’s technologies across 35 schools, such as Arizona State University.

    By May 8, 2026
  • Boston-based startup Tutor Intelligence has launched its Data Factory 1, a fleet of 100 robots autonomously learning how to manipulate physical objects.
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    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive
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    Massachusetts startup launches ‘largest robot data factory in the US’

    Manufacturing Dive recently visited Tutor Intelligence's new headquarters in Watertown, where the firm is seeing growing demand for its autonomous robots.

    By May 7, 2026
  • 1,350 Olin workers ratify contract, end strike at Missouri Winchester factory

    IAM Local 778-represented employees will return to work on Thursday at the company’s Lake City Army Ammunition manufacturing plant in Independence.

    By Updated May 7, 2026
  • 2026 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM’s US manufacturing investments surpass $6B in one year

    The company’s latest commitments totaling $830 million will support SUV and truck production at major facilities in Michigan and Ohio.

    By May 4, 2026
  • A person wearing a "Stay Golden" t-shirt stands in a GE Appliances facility
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    Permission granted by GE Appliances
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    Updated federal guidance and funds may boost manufacturing apprenticeships

    Arkansas’ Department of Commerce, which is managing a $35.8 million federal incentive fund, expects high interest. Manufacturers such as GE Appliances say updated federal guidelines may make their programs even more efficient.

    By Michelle No • May 4, 2026
  • A worker wearing protective gear watching an electric furnance in the background.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Steel
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    US Steel to invest $1.9B in a ‘first-of-its-kind’ direct reduced iron plant

    The expansion will bolster its domestic supply chain and allow the company to feed DRI directly into the furnace while still hot, a spokesperson said.

    By April 30, 2026