What Trump’s $901B defense law means for manufacturing

The National Defense Authorization Act approves billions of dollars for shipbuilding, munitions production and emerging technologies. It also forms a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network and updates PFAS policies.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 19, 2025

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

Explore the Trendline➔

The Rise of AI in Manufacturing

How are manufacturers using AI, and what should leaders know about the technology? 

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

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

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

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

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

Electronics manufacturing powers U.S. growth, supporting 5.2 million jobs and $1.8 trillion in output

A new report from the Global Electronics Association provides a detailed overview of how electronics manufacturing is shaping the future of the U.S. economy.

Dec. 8, 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

It’s time to ditch the spreadsheet, paper and pen and get with the automated quality management program

Steps to pick and roll out the right QMS to modernize workflows and elevate quality across your organization.

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

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

Nvidia takes $2B stake in Synopsys as part of expanded partnership

By switching to GPU-powered technologies, design and engineering that would take weeks to develop “could now happen in hours,” Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang said on an investor call.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 2, 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

Deere’s challenging 2025 ends on a high note

Although tractor and construction equipment sales surged in Q4, the company still anticipates tariffs and a sluggish farm economy to impact next year.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 26, 2025

Foxconn to spend $569M expanding Wisconsin factory

The investment comes days after the Apple product manufacturer announced a collaboration deal with OpenAI.

By Sara Samora • Nov. 26, 2025

US robotics maker urges manufacturing reforms, citing cost concerns

If no action is taken, Standard Bots CEO Evan Beard said at a congressional hearing that inexpensive robots from China will flood the US market as automation demand swells.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 25, 2025

Nokia pledges $4B US manufacturing, R&D investment

The commitment adds to the $2.3 billion the Finland-based electronics giant spent to acquire chipmaker Infinera, which was completed in February.

By Sara Samora • Nov. 24, 2025

Cobots are out, collaborative applications are in after safety standard change

ISO and ANSI standard updates have shifted to the term “collaborative application,” in recognition of the safety considerations involved when robots and humans interact in manufacturing settings.

By Sakshi Udavant • Nov. 24, 2025

Vulcan Elements selects North Carolina for $918M magnet facility

The Benson site follows the manufacturer’s $1.4 billion partnership with the U.S. government and rare-earth and critical-minerals refiner ReElement Technologies. 

By Sara Samora • Nov. 21, 2025

Rockwell Automation to build Wisconsin factory as part of $2B US expansion

The facility will house more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and allow customers to see its automation and digital solutions in action on-site.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 20, 2025

Toyota investing $912M to build more hybrids in the US

The investments include $125 million in Mississippi to assemble the new hybrid-electric Corolla, which will be the first electrified Corolla model built in the United States.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 19, 2025