Manufacturing Industry Top Stories

VIDEO | The “Roomba Problem” Inside Modern Factories

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

What do factory robots and robot vacuums have in common? According to Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte: they both get stuck. In this clip from an upcoming episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Semle explains how disconnected factory systems create what he calls the “Roomba problem” — and why standardized industrial data is becoming critical for AI and automation on the plant floor.

PODCAST | Could Trade Deal Uncertainty Slow America’s Manufacturing Comeback?

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is heading toward its first formal review on July 1. Patrick Lozada, Senior Director of Global Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, explains how the USMCA supports manufacturing, regional supply chains, standards alignment and long-term investment certainty.

Best Practices to Prevent Outgassing With Adhesives

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:30:00 -0400

Adhesive bonding enables engineers to create strong joints. But industrial adhesives have several drawbacks, such as outgassing, which can cause problems in some applications.

Volvo Redesigns EV Manufacturing

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Volvo Cars has begun production of its new, fully electric EX60 SUV at its assembly plant in Torslanda, Sweden. The plant has been heavily upgraded in recent years in preparation for production of the EX60 and other EVs.

Stern Pinball Keeps Old-School Fun Alive

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In today’s age of artificial intelligence, smartphones, video games and virtual reality, pinball has undergone a resurgence. A handful of companies still make pinball machines in the United States. The largest of them all is Stern Pinball Inc.

PODCAST | Why OEM-Supplier Relationships Improved Despite Tariffs and EV Uncertainty

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages.

Knife Maker Redesigns Assembly Line

Tue, 26 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Shifting from a traditional process to a streamlined assembly line to a 30 percent increase in throughput and a 53 percent reduction in footprint.

PODCAST | Short-Duration Training Programs Help Close Manufacturing Skills Gap

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers.

VIDEO | EV Uncertainty Highlights the Need for Long-Term Manufacturing Strategy

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Electric vehicles were supposed to be the future, but the reality has been more complicated. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why shifting demand and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to focus on long-term strategy and adaptability.

Best Practices for Cycle Time Optimization

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Timing studies and simulation can help engineers optimize cycle time in automated assembly systems.

New Conveyors for Automated Assembly

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

New assembly conveyors are designed for transporting fragile medical devices and heavy loads.

Ultrasonic Welding System Joins Multiple Joints at Once

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The machine can be operated as a standalone system, or it can be integrated into automated assembly lines.

PODCAST | Tariffs Highlight the Gap Between Prepared and Unprepared Manufacturers

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Tariffs aren’t impacting every manufacturer the same way. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why some companies gain an advantage while others struggle—and why preparation ultimately determines the outcome.

VIDEO | Policy Shifts Complicate the EV Transition for Manufacturers

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:30:00 -0400

For many automakers, early investments in EV infrastructure were driven in part by regulatory pressure and incentives aimed at accelerating adoption. But as those policies evolve, manufacturers are being forced to reassess their strategies.

Digital Twins Streamline Auto Manufacturing

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:30:00 -0400

When introducing new vehicle models, each launch can demand extensive reconfiguration of existing production lines. Timing is critical and every delay carries a significant cost. Digital twin technology can help engineers tackle that issue.

Solar-Powered Vehicle Technology

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Photovoltaic-integrated body panels could extend the range of EVs.

PODCAST | What Manufacturers Miss About AI: It’s Not a Technology Problem

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Chris Draper, CEO and co-founder of morriganAI and author of Safe AI Basics and co-author of Governing Artificial Intelligence, challenges the way we think about AI and explains why the real risk—and opportunity—lies in human behavior.

Mercedes-Benz to Invest $4 billion in Alabama Assembly Plant

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz will invest $4 billion in its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, AL. The plant assembles a range of SUVs for both the U.S. and export markets.

Disney’s Automation Legacy

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 01 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Assembly line tools and production processes played an important behind-the-scenes role in the development of many of the most popular attractions at Disney theme parks.

PODCAST | Manufacturers Risk Losing Critical Knowledge as Workforce Retires

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, explains how the “silver tsunami” is exposing gaps in maintenance data and why companies that fail to capture that knowledge now risk falling behind.

Machine Learning Detects Fastening Errors

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Ford engineers are studying whether AI can play a role in detecting faulty run-downs. To do that, they first had to determine what constitutes a data anomaly.

PODCAST | Manufacturers Must Build Resilience Before Disruptions Hit

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Disruptions are inevitable—but being unprepared isn’t. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains how manufacturers can build resilience through continuous improvement, visibility and long-term thinking to stay competitive.

Assemblers Urge Renewal of the USMCA

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Overall, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been net positive for all three countries, and it has contributed to a dynamic, robust North American economy. However, the Trump Administration has indicated that without concessions from Mexico and Canada, the U.S. will not renew the agreement.

VIDEO | AI Systems May Be Creating Hidden Risk on the Factory Floor

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0400

Manufacturers are moving quickly to adopt AI and automation, but the way those systems are designed may be introducing new risks. On an upcoming episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Chris Draper, CEO and co-founder of morriganAI, explains why the placement of humans within AI systems can determine whether those systems are safe or not.

Automated Line Assembles Disposable Razors

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

PIA's Automation's assembly system, custom-built for Bic, includes six blade-handling modules, which are connected by two parallel transport systems. The fully automated system is capable of high-volume production while maintaining high quality.

Manufacturers Rethink Inventory as Shortages Persist on Assembly Lines

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0400

Mark Woeppel explains why many plants fall into a cycle of expediting and reactive decision-making, sharing examples of assembly operations overwhelmed by incomplete builds, conflicting priorities and systems that cannot keep pace with real-world conditions. He also introduces the Theory of Constraints as a way to restore stability.

Volvo Automates Welding

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Volvo's skilled workers were spending more time on non-value-added tasks—moving material, hooking it up to a crane, and setting it in a fixture—instead of doing what they do best: complex welds. The automated process has improved ergonomics and requires less manual intervention.

From Simulation to Physical AI: New Robotics Technologies Transform Manufacturing

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

This roundup highlights the latest robotics innovations aimed at improving throughput, simplifying deployment and helping manufacturers address ongoing labor and process challenges.

Physical AI Is Coming to the Factory Floor, Connectivity May Decide How Fast It Arrives

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

From robotics to real-time analytics, connectivity is becoming a critical constraint on how far manufacturers can take automation.

New Cured-in-Place Gasket Material Is Designed for Automotive, EV Applications

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

One of the newest cured-in-place gasket materials on the market is Vitralit CIPG 60200 from Hoenle Adhesives Americas Inc. This UV-curing polyacrylate material is specifically engineered for high-performance electronic housings in automotive and electric vehicle applications.