4 food manufacturing trends for 2024

Producers should prepare for continued supply disruptions and a tight labor market this year, experts say.

By Erin X. Wong • Jan. 9, 2024

A sluggish year for manufacturers led to major factory closures in 2023

Companies like Krispy Kreme, Unilever and Energizer were among those that shuttered facilities this year. 

By Sara Samora • Dec. 21, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Manufacturing Dive

Check out five of our biggest stories of 2025 so far, including updates on semiconductors, the Trump administration and PFAS.

By Manufacturing Dive staff

DOL rule would promote apprenticeships, tighten program labor standards

Apprenticeships have received much attention of late as a way to funnel badly needed talent into key industries.

By Kathryn Moody • Dec. 20, 2023

Nearly half of companies say they plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements in 2024

Many employers are dropping degree requirements to create a more diverse workforce and increase job candidate numbers, survey results show.

By Carolyn Crist • Dec. 20, 2023

GM to lay off 1,300 workers at 2 Michigan plants

The layoffs come six weeks after GM signed a new labor contract with the United Auto Workers, a deal that included 25% wage hikes. 

By Eric Walz • Dec. 18, 2023

Half of workers left previous job after feeling underappreciated

Having a salary that was “too low” was a close second, a Monster poll found.

By Carolyn Crist • Dec. 15, 2023

Switching to a 4-day workweek may require a ‘conscious redesign of work’

The transition involves more than just “condensing 40 hours of work into four days,” according to one analysis.

By Laurel Kalser • Dec. 13, 2023

DOL shifts to a per-violation penalty for certain child labor infractions

The change from the previous per-child basis is another enforcement shift in a year where federal regulators cracked down on child labor law violators.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 12, 2023

Post Holdings to close cereal manufacturing plant in Ohio

The Lancaster facility has about 200 employees and is expected to close by the end of September 2024. Production will be transferred to other locations.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 7, 2023

FedEx, UPS delivery truck maker lays off over 900 at three plants

The first round of job cuts at Morgan Olson’s Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia sites will begin Dec. 22.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 6, 2023

Ardagh, Silgan closures add to packaging makers’ November layoffs

Demand issues and consolidation efforts resulted in hundreds more impending layoffs from companies like Ball, Hood, TC Transcontinental and others.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 6, 2023

Baxter Healthcare to close Alabama plant

The layoffs are part of the medical device maker's plan to cut $300 million in costs this year.

By Joelle Anselmo • Dec. 5, 2023

Ford says new UAW contract will cost $8.8B

The automaker estimates its new labor contract with the union will cost around $900 per vehicle by 2028.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 4, 2023

New Balance breaks ground on New Hampshire plant

The Londonderry facility will be the athletic shoemaker’s sixth U.S. factory as the company looks to expand its manufacturing footprint.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 4, 2023

Manufacturing down again in November amid low orders: PMI

The industry isn't expected to see major gains in demand or employment through the end of the year. 

By Kate Magill • Dec. 1, 2023

Thousands of autoworkers launch campaign to join UAW

The massive union drive covers nearly 150,000 autoworkers from at least 13 companies, including Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 1, 2023

Lion Electric lays off 10% of workforce

The electric bus and truck startup joins a growing list of companies adjusting plans due to lower-than-expected EV demand.

By Joelle Anselmo • Nov. 30, 2023

UAW strikes: What’s next for auto manufacturers after labor deals?

As automakers ramp up production efforts, labor challenges and geopolitical risks may continue to plague operations, according to industry experts.

By Kelly Stroh • Nov. 30, 2023

US Steel lays off more than 1K as it indefinitely idles Illinois plant

The steelmaker first idled production at the Granite City site in September, laying off 400 workers.

By Sara Samora • Updated Nov. 30, 2023

Volunteering doesn’t just make workers feel warm and fuzzy. It also increases engagement.

With volunteerism on the rise, more workers are engaged in yearlong tidings of good will.

By Caroline Colvin • Nov. 27, 2023

70% of the US workforce could benefit from apprenticeships. Why aren’t more people interested?

Apprenticeships remain outside the mainstream, but broader adoption could open up a cohort of trained workers for manufacturers.

By Kathryn Moody • Nov. 21, 2023

Bobcat to build first Mexico manufacturing site

The $300 million Monterrey factory will help grow the company's North American production capacity by 20%.

By Sara Samora • Nov. 20, 2023

Continental to lay off thousands of employees

The supplier plans to cut automotive spending by over $400 million annually as it restructures its business amid the transition to electric vehicles.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 20, 2023

OSHA proposes 3M pay $312K for Wisconsin plant’s safety violations

Inspectors investigated the Prairie du Chien site after a worker died getting caught in a fiber roll machine.

By Sara Samora • Nov. 17, 2023

Unilever to close two Long Island plants

The CPG giant will lay off 169 workers and move beauty and personal care product production to other facilities in its U.S. network.

By Joelle Anselmo • Nov. 17, 2023