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  • 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
  • Automotive Industrial Manufacturing Facility Working on Vehicle Production with Robotic Arms. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Manufacturing Dive

    Check out some of our publication’s top stories so far in 2026.

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
  • 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
  • Attendees at Automate 2026 in Chicago walk the South Hall floor filled with vendor booths and robotics demonstrations.
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    Nathan Owens/Manufacturing Dive
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    Humanoid hype, surging investor capital and the state of industrial robots

    Executives discussed the future of robotics, from bipedal prototypes and increased automation demand to growing accessibility for manufacturers of all sizes.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • A faded red commercial canopy over a glass door entrance of a white building.
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    Sara Samora/Manufacturing Dive
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    Q&A

    Moving the needle: How a vinyl producer became comfortable with instability

    Furnace Record Pressing CEO Ali Miller explains how the vinyl record manufacturer fine-tunes its process to service its customers.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • Engineer operating metal engraver in factory
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    istockphoto.com / Fly View Productions

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    Sponsored by Torus

    AI is reshaping the grid. Manufacturers need options that move faster.

    Grid upgrades take years. Manufacturers need options that move in months.

    By Nate Walkingshaw, Torus Founder and CEO • June 29, 2026
  • A white and blue building, with a parking lot with cars in front of it.
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    Courtesy of Lockheed Martin
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    Lockheed Martin signs $35B DOD contract to quadruple interceptor production

    The weapons maker will produce THAAD missile rounds at its facilities in Texas, California, Arkansas and Alabama. The company is also investing over $9 billion to meet munitions demand through 2030.

    By • June 26, 2026
  • A white, egg-shaped robot with silver and white squiggly arms makes a latte.
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    Nathan Owens//Manufacturing Dive/Manufacturing Dive
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    US robotics installations rebounded in 2025, on track for more growth: IFR

    Bolstered by automotive and electronics demand, global deployments remain concentrated in China, Japan and South Korea. The U.S. is seeing growing robotics demand from food production and supply chain services.

    By • June 26, 2026
  • A beige building with dark windows, and the red and orange Chemours logo sign in the center.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Chemours agrees to $450M PFAS settlement with US government

    The EPA accused the chemical giant of releasing forever chemicals into rivers near the company’s facilities in North Carolina, New Jersey and West Virginia. In some instances, without the required permits.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Qualcomm office building.
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    Courtesy of Qualcomm Inc.
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    Qualcomm Technologies agrees to acquire Modular for $3.9B

    The deal will combine Modular’s AI software with Qualcomm’s semiconductors, provide access to additional data centers and make AI system deployment more efficient, Qualcomm said.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • An electrical engineer using a laptop while working at a substation.
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    Getty Images
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    Industrial manufacturing M&A hit record $173B over past year: PwC

    Mergers and acquisitions surged by 28%, driven by artificial intelligence, grid modernization and defense and infrastructure resilience spending, the consulting group found.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • A Lucid Gravity electric SUV parked outdoors with greenery in the background.
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    Courtesy of Lucid Group
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    Lucid Motors laying off 18% of US workforce, COO resigns

    The layoffs follow a 12% reduction of the company’s workforce in February following the launch of the Gravity SUV, its second model. 

    By • June 24, 2026
  • Two shipping container-filled boats, one with China's flag and the other with a U.S. flag, approaching each other head-on.
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    Getty Images
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    China limits trade with 56 US defense, aerospace firms

    The country’s government has barred entities from shipping China-made items to or purchasing U.S.-made products from military-linked companies, including Boeing, Anduril and MP Materials.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A medium-range view of the U.S. Department of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC.
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    Getty Images
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    Steel, aluminum makers face records gauntlet for new US tariff breaks

    Canada and Mexico manufacturers must commit to verifiable U.S. capacity expansion and maintain meticulous, traceable records to qualify for reduced Section 232 tariffs.

    By Antone Gonsalves • June 23, 2026
  • Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaks on a TV screen in the background at the New York Stock Exchange
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Manufacturers balance costs, inventory amid uncertain rate environment

    As companies watch to see if the Federal Reserve may change its posture on interest rates later in the year, and ripple effects from the Middle East continue, they’re getting more comfortable navigating the complexity.

    By Keesa Schreane • June 23, 2026
  • Man in safety goggles and ear protection operates machinery in an industrial setting, wearing gloves and focused on his task.
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    with permission from Tork.

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    Sponsored by Tork

    The next frontier for lean is already inside your facility

    Manufacturing leaders apply rigorous lean thinking to every aspect of the production floor, yet facility systems – restrooms, break areas, cleaning workflows and product storage – operate largely outside that discipline. 

    June 22, 2026
  • A person wearing glasses and a blue Goodwill apron at a sewing machine.
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    Courtesy of Business Wire
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    Goodwill adopts Lectra platform to boost Miami apparel factory

    The Valia manufacturing platform aims to accelerate the nonprofit’s production by drastically reducing the time required for its fabric-cutting operations by 99%.

    By • June 18, 2026
  • Two rows of green infantry squad vehicles parked in front of a white building with the blue GM Defense logo on it.
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    Courtesy of GM Defense
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    GM Defense, Lockheed Martin to collaborate on US defense manufacturing

    The Pentagon assisted with the deal between the automaker’s subsidiary and the weapons maker. The agreement comes as President Donald Trump invokes the voluntary agreement provision under the Defense Production Act.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • A Fauna Robotics employee trains its Sprout robot to pick up an object using a virtual reality headset.
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    Courtesy of Fauna Robotics
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    From prototype to deployment: Robotics lessons learned on the shop floor

    Startup executives at Fauna, Ultra and Standard Bots discussed some of the challenges they’ve experienced deploying their industrial robots during a panel at New York Tech Week.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • MassMEP President Kathie Mahoney stands on a stage at a podium that says "DCU"
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    Cole Rosengren/Manufacturing Dive
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    Q&A

    MassMEP president talks AI adoption, funding and the evolving industry

    Kathie Mahoney spoke with Manufacturing Dive at a recent event about how the sector has changed since MassMEP was founded 30 years ago and the group’s current state legislative priorities.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • A building with windows, and the white Huntsman logo on its side.
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    Courtesy of Huntsman
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    Olin inks deal with Huntsman to form $12B chemicals giant

    The new entity will be renamed OlinHuntsman and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. The merger is expected to close in 2027.

    By • June 16, 2026