BROOKLYN, NY—Lighting manufacturer LED Waves has tripled the floorspace at its assembly plant and headquarters facility here.

MIAMI, FL—U.S. manufacturers are targeting an aggressive 1.5 percent reduction in cost of goods sold for 2013 in an effort to drive margin growth, according to a new study from The Hackett Group Inc.

Regardless of their location or industry, manufacturers are demanding more from leak test equipment than ever before. Tough economic times and increased competition require companies to use equipment that not only provides accuracy and repeatability, but accommodates a wider variety of parts.

In April, electronics assembler Mack Technologies completed work on a substantial installation of money-saving technology at its factory in Westford, MA. The company didn’t get a new paste printer, reflow oven or pick-and-place machine. In fact, the plant’s slick new technology had nothing to do with assembly.

DAYTON, TN—Goodman Manufacturing, a manufacturer of air conditioning and heating equipment, will invest $2 million to expand its assembly plant here, with plans to create 200 jobs.

WASHINGTON—OSHA has launched an initiative to further protect temporary employees from workplace hazards.

WASHINGTON—Seven of the top 10 highest-paid college degrees are in engineering, according to a report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

NEW BERN, NC—BSH Home Appliance Corp. has reopened its dishwasher assembly plant here, after investing $50 million to upgrade the facility. The company has recalled 100 workers who were laid off for the renovation.

A growing number of manufacturers are moving from air tools to electric tools and from corded electric tools to cordless tools.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Humantech Inc. has added a new course, Managing an Ergonomics Process, to its seminar series in 2013. This one-day workshop will be held in Ann Arbor, MI, on April 25 and Sept. 19.

The manufacturing industry is at a turning point, requiring the ability to visualize the possibilities and challenges to come so preparations can be made now.

The invitation-only Digital and Advanced Manufacturing Exchange cannot predict the future. But it can offer senior manufacturing executive best practices for quick ROI from the latest technologies with case studies and opinions from senior level practitioners.