Operations

  • A multicolor cable with a black background.
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    Courtesy of 3M
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    Microsoft, 3M form AI, data center R&D partnership

    The joint effort is part of the chemical and cable manufacturer’s commitment to develop and produce electronic components to meet surging artificial intelligence and data center demand.

    By • July 16, 2026
  • Silver industrial tools for milling and drilling machines on a white background.
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    Getty Images
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    May saw $583.4M in new metalworking machinery orders, down 1.8% from April

    Shipments of cutting tools totaled $239.8 million, a 7.4% decrease from April, the Association for Manufacturing Technology reported. 

    By • July 16, 2026
  • Sparks come off an industrial machine in a factory Explore the Trendline➔
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    Getty Images
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    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 massive, L-shaped LED screen displaying an immersive 3D liquid waterfall animation inside an exhibition site.
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    Cheng Chia Huang via Getty Images
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    Lite-On Technology to establish $919M manufacturing campus in Texas

    The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer is also establishing its North American headquarters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as it aims to cash in on AI and data center demand. 

    By • July 15, 2026
  • A factory worker with a red hard hat taps on a system panel that uses Rockwell Automation's technology.
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    Courtesy of Rockwell Automation
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    Majority of manufacturers struggle to scale execution systems: Rockwell

    Integration of separate, patchwork systems has become one of the biggest industry challenges in the era of AI and growing cyber risk, according to a recent report.

    By • July 15, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    New York sues chemical titans over alleged PFAS exposure

    The state accused 3M, DuPont, Chemours, Corteva and Corteva subsidiary EIDP, of deliberately manufacturing, marketing and selling consumer products laced with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

    By • July 14, 2026
  • An aerial view of Intel's Leixlip campus in Ireland.
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    Courtesy of Intel Corp.
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    Intel to invest $5.7 billion in Ireland chip production

    The expansion, which has already begun, will boost output for Intel’s Xeon 6 processors used for data center and artificial intelligence computing.

    By • July 14, 2026
  • A truck seen driving past a JBS meat plant.
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    Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
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    JBS axes 2040 net-zero goal, citing ‘immense’ execution challenges

    The meat giant will no longer aim to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions across its supply chain by 2040 and has also dropped scope 3 reduction targets.

    By Zoya Mirza • July 13, 2026
  • A silver and lime green circular motor, with a silver, black and copper motor device in the background.
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    Courtesy of Niron Magnetics
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    Niron Magnetics, Aspina enter rare-earth-free magnet supply agreement

    The agreement comes after Congress introduced a bill that would create tax credits to support domestic magnet production and supply chain reshoring.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • A black plaque lying flat on the ground in front of a white concrete mixer truck with the black Micron logo on the mixing drum.
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    Courtesy of Micron Technology
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    Micron ups US manufacturing, supply chain pledge to $253B

    The DRAM maker is also spending up to $3 billion toward the semiconductor supply chain, including $500 million to boost GlobalWafer’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities at its fab in Texas.

    By • July 10, 2026
  • A Deere tractor in the foreground.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deere settles right to repair dispute with FTC

    The settlement requires Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers the same equipment repair resources it provides its authorized dealers for the next 10 years, the FTC said.

    By • July 10, 2026
  • A row of black drones lined up on a table next to blue plastic shelf bins.
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    Courtesy of Powerus
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    Q&A

    How a drone maker aims to fix the supply chain

    Powerus co-founder and U.S. Army veteran Brett Velicovich explains how the company is working to bring the drone end-to-end manufacturing process to the United States.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A laptop sits on a warehouse desk running a management system dashboard for data analytics, inventory tracking and logistics.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing needs data standardization

    Even as manufacturers increasingly digitize their operations and rely on data-centric artificial intelligence models, few rigorously adhere to a plan for data management.

    By Sakshi Udavant • July 8, 2026
  • 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR5, in motion
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    Courtesy of Toyota
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    Toyota plans Tacoma truck production in Texas with $3.6B expansion

    The automaker won’t yet say what portion of U.S.-bound Tacomas will shift from Mexico after the buildout, but the company plans to double its San Antonio factory footprint by 2030.

    By Bengt Halvorson • July 8, 2026
  • Employees working at the U. S. Steel Gary Works pig iron caster.
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    Courtesy of U.S. Steel
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    Environmental groups sue EPA over US Steel air permit

    They are seeking a court order requiring the agency to grant or deny a clean air petition filed 10 months ago related to one of the largest steel mills in North America.

    By • July 7, 2026
  • A person standing in front of a black server, holding a laptop on her left arm and speaking into her phone that's in her right hand.
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    Getty Images
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    Solstice Advanced Materials to acquire specialty chemicals firm for $14.5B

    The Element Solutions deal aligns with the data center cooling supplier’s electronics growth strategy, which includes formulation and research and development.

    By • July 7, 2026
  • Toyota Auris Hybrid Burnaston UK
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor UK
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    EV transition challenges auto supply chain resilience, Moody’s says

    Legacy automakers have the added complexity of having to run different supply chains for ICE, hybrid and EV powertrains.

    By Paul Myles • July 7, 2026
  • A Bredel 80 hose pump sits at a manufacturing facility
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    Permission granted by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions
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    Q&A

    Remote sensors can cut downtime: Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

    Manufacturers are using remote, connected sensors and real-time monitoring for proactive maintenance, says Connected Services Digital Product Manager Ignacio Basualdo.

    By • July 7, 2026
  • South32's Worsley bauxite and alumina refinery operation in Western Australia.
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    Courtesy of South32
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    Aluminum giant Alcoa to buy South32’s assets in deal valued at $5.6B

    The Pittsburgh-based metals producer would become the world’s largest bauxite miner as part of the acquisition and establish an operational foothold in South Africa.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • ABB Robotics conduct autonomous tasks on production lines.
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    Courtesy of ABB Robotics
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    Digital twins, software maturity and other automation trends

    AI-powered simulation technology and other types of robotics software are becoming more powerful and cost-effective for manufacturers.

    By , • July 1, 2026
  • A white, red and black aircraft with six propellers parked on an apron.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
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    Joby, Toyota form electric air taxi joint venture

    The new entity is part of the companies’ strategic alliance that has been in the works since 2024, which aims to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s eVTOL aircraft.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • Attendees arrive at the MD&M East manufacturing conference at the Javits Center in New York City in 2025.
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    Courtesy of IME Connect
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    Manufacturing conferences and trade shows to watch in 2026

    Upcoming industry events will showcase the latest products and cover topics ranging from tariff mitigation and automation to workforce retention strategies.

    By Manufacturing Dive Staff • Updated July 1, 2026
  • An ocean vessel docked at a seaport.
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    US manufacturing expands again in June, but at slower rate than in May

    The overall economy grew for the 20th month in a row, but the Iran war and price volatility are still major concerns for manufacturers.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • Robotic technology and vision systems are tested at a new Amazon fulfillment center on August 10, 2017 in Sacramento, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Where to start with mobile automation

    Formova’s leadership outlined what companies should consider when transitioning their operations to accommodate automated guided vehicles or mobile robots.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • A satellite in front of a blue planet in space.
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    Courtesy of Rocket Lab
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    Rocket Lab to acquire Iridium Communications for $8B

    The deal will be the rocket manufacturer’s “shortcut” to enter the space applications market, CEO Peter Beck said. Accessing Iridium’s spectrum could also help level the playing field with rival SpaceX.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • integrated circuits on a semiconductor
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Onsemi agrees to buy Synaptics for about $7B

    Onsemi said it believes the all-stock transaction will enhance its global position in physical artificial intelligence.

    By • June 30, 2026