Today in Manufacturing

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

Have you ever tried changing your tires at 100 MPH? This week's episode is brought to you by Epicor and a new podcast about how to win a  manufacturing race that never stops.

Pressured by constant disruption, workforce challenges, and increasing operational complexity, manufacturing frontlines must operate like a Formula 1 pit crew to win — moving with speed, precision, and consistency.

In this new podcast, Epicor’s Thom Smith offers practical strategies and real examples of how high performers persevere through intense change and competition.

Watch and listen to "Changing Tires at 100 MPH" right now.

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

- 117-Year-Old Candy Company to Shutter Factory

- Ohio Aerospace Plant Files for Bankruptcy

- Rotten Fish Sauce That Has Long Stunk Up a Small Canadian Town Is Finally Being Removed

In Case You Missed It

- The Passwords Most Likely to be Breached

- John Deere, UAW ‘Half a Billion Dollars’ Apart in Contract Extension Clash

- The Tesla Salvage Boom: What Happens to High-Tech Cars After a Total Loss 

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 episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite. For many businesses today, waiting to modernize your ERP may seem like the safe choice—but hidden costs can quickly add up. Every delay brings more inefficiencies and missed opportunities for innovation, while competitors who modernize gain an ever-growing advantage.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• The real price of waiting: How outdated systems lead to hidden costs and limit your growth potential.
• The risk of falling behind: What’s lost by delaying ERP modernization, and how early adopters gain a competitive edge.
• The modern ERP advantage: How NetSuite’s AI-powered features streamline operations and enable smarter, faster business decisions.

Download, "The Hidden Costs of Standing Still," to learn how timely ERP modernization drives faster growth, sharper insights, and long-term competitive success.

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

- Seattle Cheesemaker Looks to Save Shuttered Wisconsin Facility

- Mars to Shutter U.S. Headquarters, Cut Over 300 Jobs

- Ford Plant Workers Fired for Alleged Snack Theft

In Case You Missed It

- Ford Helps Establish Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades

- U.S. Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots

- 400-Year-Old Bell Foundry Adds Modern Tech to Keep Casting Process Alive

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.

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

New Balance May Donate Shuttered Factory to the Town it Vacated

About two years ago, New Balance announced plans to close its plant in Norridgewock, Maine. The move surprised pretty much everyone because the shoemaker is known for its U.S.-based manufacturing footprint.

Ammo Factory Fails to Produce Any Shells After $469M Army Investment

After sending many, many shells to Ukraine, the Army tasked General Dynamics and its existing ammunition plant in Mesquite, Texas, with manufacturing 30,000 M795 High Explosive 155 mm shells each month by October 2025. But a new report said the plant hasn't produced a single shell in two years of operation.

Northwestern Engineers Made a ‘Phantom’ Drone That Vanishes in Plain Sight

Engineers at Northwestern University have created a drone that appears to vanish in plain sight after it takes flight. The Phantom Twist is a drone that uses a concept called "motion blur" — the effect that makes it seemingly impossible to see fast-spinning blades on fans or Road Runner's legs.

In Case You Missed It

Pairs of Glasses Are Boosting Productivity in Some Garment Factories

Operators who received reading glasses also made fewer errors.

3D-Printed, Patient-Specific Contact Lenses in Just 20 Minutes

It uses a newly developed silicone material.

TRISO-X Plots Massive Advanced Nuclear Fuel Expansion in Tennessee

Last week, TRISO-X announced tentative plans to create some 1,140 new jobs in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

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 Fortinet, and the new point of view, Modern Manufacturing Needs a Clearer View of Cyber Risk.

Modern manufacturing runs on connectivity, but that same connectivity means a cyber incident rarely stays contained to one system or site. It can move across IT, OT, suppliers, and operational processes, putting physical production at risk.

This Fortinet POV breaks down the four barriers (competency, capability, capacity, and complexity) keeping manufacturers from truly understanding their risk, and shows why operational visibility, not just investment, is the key to turning awareness into action.

With manufacturing representing the world's most-targeted industry for cyberattacks, and only 14 percent of organizations reporting full OT visibility, downloading this POV will empower your organization with a clearer view of your environment and help you prioritize, protect, and build resilience on the plant floor.

Download, "Modern Manufacturing Needs a Clearer View of Cyber Risk," right now.

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

- Butter Maker Smooths Production Gaps with Flex Work Option That Lets Workers Pick Hours

- Volkswagen Plans to Kill Off Half of Its Models

- Harley-Davidson's Credit Rating Downgraded to Junk Status by S&P

In Case You Missed It

- Toyota-Backed Robotics Startup to Take On 'Hard-to-Automate' Tasks in Factories

- Fujitsu, Leading Robotics Companies to Use Nvidia Tech in 'Physical AI'

- Sony Retraining Workers After Scrapping PlayStation Discs 

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 QAD Redzone. Did you know that only 5% of manufacturers are winning with AI? Well, here's how they're doing it.

Recently, IEN's Executive Editor Anna Wells and QAD's Stephen Dombroski discussed how winning businesses approached AI implementation.

In this new webinar, "From Reactive to Ready," now available on demand, you'll learn.

• Where AI and agentic AI are delivering real operational value today
• A practical framework for AI modernization in industrial manufacturing
• How ERP is evolving into a real-time system of action

Download "From Reactive to Ready," 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 Cargo Plane Sparks Massive Sea Search

- Major Ford Recall Causes Two Alleged 'Emotional Injuries'

- Polestar Banned from Selling Vehicles in the U.S.

In Case You Missed It

- Agentic Ransomware Registers First Major Hit

- Apple Partners With Broadcom to Produce Over 15 Billion U.S.-Made Chips

- Toyota Says $3.6B Investment Will Add 2,000 Jobs at Texas Plant

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 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.