The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). 

This episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite. Most organizations have more dashboards, reports, and data than ever before, yet decisions still get made on gut feel or anecdote. The gap is not data, it’s action. 

In this practical field guide, Bernie Smith, Director of Made to Measure KPIs and KPI Academy, shares his approach to connecting KPIs to real decisions and measurable improvement. 

Learn how to: 

• Make dashboards useful instead of “wallpaper” 

• Choose measures people actually trust and act on 

• Define clear responses when a KPI moves • Design targets that encourage the right behaviors 

• Connect strategy, measurement, and action

Download "Beyond the Dashboard" right now. https://www.manufacturing.net/formstack/beyond_the_dashboard?utm_source=podcast 

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. 

This week: U.S. Steel Commits $475M to Install New Quench & Tempering Line https://www.ien.com/22969501 

U.S. Steel just announced plans to invest some $475 million for the installation of a new quench & tempering (Q&T) line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations in Alabama. 

'World's First' Fusion Power Plant Given Regulatory Clearance https://www.ien.com/22969244

Helion is a Washington-based fusion energy company. Last week, the company claimed to become the first company in the world to secure the regulatory licenses needed for a fusion power plant. 

Ford Motor Sues to Shut Down Lemon Law Fraud

 https://www.ien.com/22969305 

Last week, Ford Motor filed a lawsuit against Quill & Arrow. The lawsuit alleges rampant lawsuit abuse. Yes, it is a lawsuit over lawsuits, but this one comes after Quill & Arrow filed thousands of Lemon Law cases every year against Ford and other automakers. 

In Case You Missed It 

LA Mayor Bass Declares Emergency to Secure Resources to Help Fight Warehouse Fire 

https://foodmanufacturing.com/22969301/ 

Authorities said the cold-storage warehouse has "85 million pounds of frozen food inside." 

Quantum Sensors Could Spot Hidden Damage

https://www.ien.com/safety/article/22969249/quantum-sensors-could-spot-hidden-damage-in-the-thousands-of-structurally-deficient-us-bridges

These sensors could help engineers pinpoint problems before they get worse. 

Boston Dynamics Announces $100 Million U.S. Expansion Effort

https://www.ien.com/automation/news/22969587/boston-dynamics-announces-100-million-us-expansion-effort 

Boston Dynamics yesterday announced plans to transform a 323,000 square foot facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, into an advanced robotics and AI center. The company will invest $100 million in the project and anticipates creating 1,250 new jobs by 2033. 

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Andy or [email protected], with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters. 

#Manufacturing #ManufacturingNews #USSteel #FusionEnergy #Ford #Industry40 #Engineering #EnergyIndustry #Infrastructure #IndustrialNews

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite. As AI becomes increasingly embedded, the focus for business leaders is now shifting to, “How can we use it responsibly and profitably?”

Based on what other businesses have experienced with the new tools, we are starting to see what works and what doesn’t. This new business guide, "Practical AI Lessons and Strategies," discusses financial analysis applications of AI, including prompt engineering, presenting results with certainty, and securing confidential data.

Download the business guide now for lessons and strategies for using AI in finance analysis. Included is a practical roadmap to follow as your finance team scales AI usage.

https://www.manufacturing.net/formstack/practical_ai_lessons_and_strategies?utm_source=podcast

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

Strike to End at GM Supplier; Workers Win Significant Increases and Workers at GM Supplier Plant Ratify New Deal, Ending Strike

Workers could see a host of new benefits.

https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22968847/strike-to-end-at-gm-supplier-workers-win-significant-increases

https://www.ien.com/operations/news/22968986/workers-at-gm-supplier-plant-ratify-new-deal-ending-strike

JBS Shutting Down Multiple Plants, Eliminating Over 2,000 Jobs

The move comes amid a cattle supply squeeze.

https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22968956/jbs-shutting-down-multiple-plants-eliminating-over-2000-jobs

Ford Tearing Down One Engine Every Day After Record-Breaking Year of Recalls

The automaker recalled 12.9 million vehicles over 153 separate campaigns last year.

https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22969051/ford-tearing-down-one-engine-every-day-after-recordbreaking-year-of-recalls

In Case You Missed It

In a World's First, Researchers Turn Cow Poop Into Jet Fuel

Not to toot its own horn, but the company said its SAF costs a lot less to make.

https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/22968881/in-a-worlds-first-researchers-turn-cow-poop-into-jet-fuel

8 Killed in B-52 Bomber Crash in Southern California

The aircraft went down during a routine test mission.

https://www.manufacturing.net/aerospace/news/22969001/8-killed-in-b52-bomber-crash-in-southern-california

New Firm Emerges from Stealth; Using AI to Democratize Custom Chip Design and Birth 'Designless Semiconductor Industry'

One of the co-founders skipped high school to enroll in college at 15 and went to work on custom chips at Apple and Tesla.

https://www.ien.com/artificial-intelligence/news/22969153/architect-labs-emerges-from-stealth-using-ai-to-democratize-custom-chip-design-and-birth-designless-semiconductor-industry

#Manufacturing #ManufacturingNews #LaborStrike #GM #GeneralMotors #Ford #JBS #Layoffs #SupplyChain #FactoryJobs #QualityControl #AutomotiveManufacturing #Industry40 #ArtificialIntelligence #Semiconductors

Editor's note: Download and listen to the audio version below and click here to subscribe to the Today in Manufacturing podcast.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Outsystems. AI has moved past the "experimentation" phase. Today, 96% of organizations are already using AI agents, but 94% of leaders admit that "AI sprawl" is creating massive security risks and technical debt.

The State of AI Development 2026 tells you how the world’s most successful companies are moving from simple chatbots to complex agentic systems without losing control of their governance or architecture.

Here's what you'll learn:

• The Maturity Benchmark: Where your organization stands compared to 1,900 global IT leaders in the transition to agentic AI.
• The Governance Gap: Why only 12% of enterprises have a centralized strategy and how to avoid the "fragmentation trap."
• Proven ROI: Real-world data on how leaders are achieving a 40% increase in productivity by embedding AI directly into the software lifecycle.
• The 2026 CIO Roadmap: A practical 6-step framework to scale AI safely, modernize legacy data, and maintain "human-in-the-loop" accountability.

Download "The State of AI Development 2026" right now.

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- AI Biffs Design in RAM T-Shirt Gaffe

- 'Spud King' Fined for Illegal Potato Chip Factory

- Employees Injured After Boeing 787's Nose Landing Gear Collapses at Airport

In Case You Missed It

- Why the Brothers Bauman Moved Their Boutique Flyfishing Firm from California to Colorado

- Siemens Gets $6.9M to Boost Medical Device Cybersecurity

- Artificial Eyes Could Bring Human-like Sight to Self-driving Cars, Robots

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Ben or [email protected], with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Spot.AI. Transform your plant floor with AI that understands the physical world.

Imagine if your existing security cameras could do more than just record—what if they could actively protect your team and optimize your entire production line?

In a new video, Anna Wells dives into how Spot.AI is revolutionizing manufacturing with intelligent video AI agents. You will discover how to leverage the camera infrastructure you already own to uncover hidden risks and streamline your daily operations.

Watch the video to learn how to:

• Enhance safety, like automatically detecting missing PPE and hazardous conditions before accidents happen.
• Crush operational bottlenecks by identifying idle workstations.
• And maximize your tech ROI by seamlessly integrating advanced AI with your current camera setup.

From basic security deterrence to full-scale manufacturing optimization, this informative session offers a practical blueprint for implementing video AI on your plant floor.

Watch the video, right now. 

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Wisconsin Castings Supplier Suffers 'Significant Fire Event'

- U.S. Army Testing First New Hand Grenade in Nearly 60 Years

- Boiler-Related Explosion at International Paper's NC Plant Injures Multiple Workers

In Case You Missed It

- How a Stamp Factory Reddit-Sourced Its Rubber Waste Problem 

- Real-Life AI Part I: 6 Use Cases That Reclaimed Hours of Wasted Time

- Which Shocks Pose the Biggest Risks to Global Food Systems 

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or [email protected], with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

Editor's note: Download and listen to the audio version below and click here to subscribe to the Today in Manufacturing podcast.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Scientific Cutting Tools (SCT).

Working with customers that include NASA, Caterpillar and Johns Hopkins demands a combination of proven and new-age strategies and processes. SCT recently offered a look behind the curtain in detailing how listening to their customers and paying attention to key industry trends has established a legacy of innovative problem-solving and an undeniable focus on cutting edge production and product technologies.

These same principles have kept the company competitive for more than 60 years in an increasingly crowded marketplace, and led to internal practices focused on attracting new talent while simultaneously retaining vital experience.

To learn more about their secrets to long-term success, download this behind-the-scenes report, "Built on Precision, Grounded in Integrity," right now.

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Missing Sticker Triggers Recall for Thousands of Teslas

- North Carolina Sues Vietnamese EV Maker After Ongoing Delays

- SendCutSend Raises $110 Million to Build 'Anything Factories'

In Case You Missed It

- Robot With 20 Legs and Eyes Built to Move, See in Any Direction Instantly

- Blue Origin’s $600 Million Expansion Project to Boost Upper-Stage Production in Florida

- Slate Auto Nabs Michigan Grant to Expand EV HQ

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or [email protected], with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

Editor's note: Download and listen to the audio version below and click here to subscribe to the Today in Manufacturing podcast.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by QAD | Redzone. Industrial manufacturers are facing a convergence of pressures that legacy systems were never built to handle: supply chain instability, labor shortages, margin pressure, faster decision-making.

At the same time, AI is shifting from experimentation to operational necessity, enabling manufacturers to turn data into action and build more adaptive, resilient operations.

An upcoming live webinar, hosted by Today in Manufacturing's very own Anna Wells, will explore what AI modernization means in practice and where it is already delivering measurable impact across manufacturing operations.

Join Anna live at 10:00 am Central on Wednesday, June 17th for a lively discussion and question and answer session.

Register now to attend "How Industrial Manufacturers Are Building AI-Powered Operations and Systems That Win."

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Why Ford, Stellantis Are Propping Up This Bankrupt Supplier

- Schlitz Owner to End Production of Famed Beer

- Jaguar Land Rover’s Profit Dropped About 99.44% Last Year

In Case You Missed It

- Kansas Farmers Hit Hard by Weather, Growing Costs

- Tariff Refunds and ‘Dumb’ Price Increases: A Manufacturer’s Survival Guide for 2026

- Walmart, Amazon Race to Win Over Rural America with Speedier Deliveries

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or [email protected], with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by OutSystems. Stop letting legacy tech drain your budget. In the high-stakes world of Industry 4.0, the "cost of doing nothing" is often higher than the cost of innovation.

This eBook, "Maximizing ROI in Industry 4.0," explores how manufacturing leaders are ditching outdated systems and talent bottlenecks to reclaim their competitive edge. Learn how to transform your IT department into a high-speed digital delivery powerhouse using AI-powered app dev. 

Download "Maximizing ROI in Industry 4.0," right now.

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- 420,000 Peach Trees on Chopping Block After Cannery Closures

- Worker Killed by 50,000-Gallon Tar Spill at Asphalt Plant

- Musk Plans $119B Terafab in Texas to Build Chips for 'Galactic Civilization'

In Case You Missed It

- Canada Is Kicking Its U.S. Booze Habit as Trade Tensions Persist

- Why Automakers Can’t Easily Pivot to Weapons Production

- Foxconn Confirms Cyberattack

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. You could also help us out a lot by giving the podcast a positive review. Finally, to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at David, Andy or Ben [at] ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Spraying Systems. Far too often, manufacturers use way more utilities than needed for production.

In a new video, Spraying Systems shares how one small adjustment on the plant floor drastically reduces water and energy consumption, saving manufacturers hundreds of thousands of dollars – and in some cases, millions. Watch it now. 

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Bot Auto Delivers First Fully Humanless Commercial Truckload

- Hyundai Is Getting Tired of Waiting for Its Robots

- Bridgestone Abruptly Closing Georgia Golf Ball Plant, Outsourcing Amid 'Increasing Volatility'

In Case You Missed It

- Corning to Build Three Factories, Create 3,000 Jobs in Massive AI Deal With Nvidia

- Sugar Titan to 'Modernize' Historic Louisiana Refinery

- FDA Warns Healthcare Providers of Neurosurgical Supply Shortages

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. You could also help us out a lot by giving the podcast a positive review. Finally, to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at David, Andy or Ben [at] ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by UnDesked. How much is digitizing your frontline business worth? 

Paper creates cost long before anyone calculates it. Time spent filling out forms, chasing signatures, re-entering inspection data, and following up on audits adds up quickly across shifts.

UnDesked’s ROI Calculator turns those everyday activities into real cost — and shows what changes when work is executed digitally instead of documented after the fact.

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Refrigerator Factory Lays Off 1,500 Ahead of Switch to Washers

- Why This New Factory Looks Like Rolling Hills

- Rocket-Powered Concept Car Goes 0-60 mph in Less Than a Second

In Case You Missed It

- Why Some Workers Are Embracing AI While Others Won't Use It, According to a New Gallup Poll

- Sub-Zero to Boost U.S. Manufacturing Capacity at a Factory That Isn't Open Yet

- Kellogg is Putting Toys Back into Some Cereal Boxes as a Toy Story 5 Tie-In

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. You could also help us out a lot by giving the podcast a positive review. Finally, to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at David, Jeff or Anna [at] ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line.

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Parsec. The current capabilities of AI only hint at what’s to come.

While manufacturers explore large language models, chatbots, and demand forecasting tools to improve operations, data scientists and mathematicians are looking further ahead.

See what’s in development and potential implications for the manufacturing sector in this new guide from Parsec. Download "Analyzing AI: Experts Weigh In on Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing" right now. 

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

- Tornado Damages Rivian R2 Factory as Critical Launch Nears

- Ford to Refresh 80% of North American Lineup in Major Restructuring

- GM, Ford Asked to Support U.S. Weapons Supply Chain as Wars Drain Inventory

In Case You Missed It

- Plastic Texturing Kills Viruses When They Land

- Researchers Have Spent Decades Breeding Better Potatoes for Chips

- Anheuser‑Busch Invests Another $300 Million to Upskill U.S. Workforce

Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. You could also help us out a lot by giving the podcast a positive review. Finally, to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at David, Jeff or Anna [at] ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line.