Operations
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Sensor maker Luminar Technologies files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, pursues chip business sale
The company plans to sell Luminar Semiconductors, Inc. for $110 million and restructure its debt after losing a major contract with automaker Volvo.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 17, 2025 -
Manufacturers plan price hikes over reshoring to combat tariff effects
Industry leaders are displaying “slight optimism” for next year, with increased projections for revenue and capital spending as trade uncertainty settles, according to ISM’s Supply Chain Planning Forecast.
By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 17, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineUpskilling 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 -
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 Eric Walz • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Roomba maker files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeks acquisition by contract manufacturer
iRobot has struggled with sales in recent years amid growing foreign competition and supply chain issues. A China-based manufacturer is looking to buy the company.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Semiconductor industry most concerned by tariffs, trade policy: KPMG
For the first time, supply chain issues overtook talent as industry leaders’ top concern, according to the advisory firm’s 21st annual Global Semiconductor Outlook.
By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Nissan names VP to oversee US manufacturing overhaul
Victor Taylor will lead operational changes across all three of Nissan's U.S. plants while leading the automaker’s supply chain and production engineering.
By Antone Gonsalves • Dec. 16, 2025 -
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 Nathan Owens • Dec. 15, 2025 -
LS Cable & System to invest additional $689M in Virginia
The South Korea-based company is building a manufacturing complex to be operated through three of its subsidiaries in Chesapeake.
By Sara Samora • Dec. 15, 2025 -
Ford, SK On dissolving BlueOval SK EV battery joint venture
The planned $11.4 billion investment by the two companies included building three manufacturing plants in the U.S.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2025 -
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 -
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 Nathan Owens • Dec. 11, 2025 -
Deere targets big sales goals as Trump pushes for lower equipment prices
The tractor maker’s Smart Industrial strategy is positioned to help fuel growth and shareholder value over the next five years.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 10, 2025 -
Trump orders investigation into food supply chains for possible price fixing
Under pressure to address rising grocery costs, the president directed new task forces to determine whether anticompetitive behavior exists, particularly among foreign-owned companies.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 10, 2025 -
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 Nathan Owens • Dec. 9, 2025 -
Minnesota updates, adopts PFAS reporting rule
The state’s pollution control agency has modified the regulation in response to an administrative law judge’s critiques. The MPCA has also soft-launched a reporting system that will open to all manufacturers in January 2026.
By Sara Samora • Dec. 9, 2025 -
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 Nathan Owens • Dec. 8, 2025 -
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 Sara Samora • Updated Dec. 9, 2025 -
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 Sara Samora • Dec. 8, 2025 -
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 Nathan Owens • Dec. 5, 2025 -
FTC approves Boeing for Spirit AeroSystems acquisition, but with a few conditions
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the aircraft manufacturer to divest some of the fuselage suppliers’ overseas assets and provide services and aerospace components to its defense competitors.
By Sara Samora • Dec. 4, 2025 -
Post-bankruptcy, Wolfspeed receives nearly $700M tax refund from CHIPS Act
The money strengthens the chipmaker’s balance sheet post-bankruptcy and accelerates the production ramp of its 200-millimeter wafers.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 4, 2025 -
AI design helping automakers match China’s speed-to-market
Neural Concept is growing its client base by promising production speed, efficiency and razor’s-edge technology.
By Paul Myles • Dec. 4, 2025 -
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 Sara Samora • Dec. 3, 2025 -
House lawmakers pass bill to double SBA loan limits for manufacturers
The legislation would increase the agency’s cap to $10 million for company operations located entirely in the United States.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 3, 2025 -
XLight, Commerce Department ink $150M CHIPS Act incentives
The Silicon Valley-based startup plans to construct, expand and demonstrate a free-electron laser, which could be essential for manufacturing new, high-performing semiconductor devices.
By Sara Samora • Dec. 2, 2025