ASSEMBLY Trends

ABB Expands AI-Powered Mobile Robot Lineup With Autonomous Forklift

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — ABB Robotics has introduced the Flexley Stack F712, an autonomous forklift that expands the company's autonomous mobile robot lineup for manufacturing applications.

Mitsubishi Electric Creates U.S. Hub for AI, Manufacturing Innovation

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

BOSTON — Manufacturing companies are increasingly developing software, data and AI platforms alongside traditional products as manufacturers look to connect production systems, workforce knowledge and operational data. Now Mitsubishi Electric has created a dedicated space just for that sort of innovation.

Tesla’s Efficiency Edge Faces a Toyota Reality Check

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of ASSEMBLY News Now, we look at how Tesla stacks up against Toyota and BYD, and what the numbers suggest about manufacturing efficiency, workforce scale and the changing competitive landscape in the global auto industry.

Siemens Financing Unit Targets Manufacturing Equipment Loans

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

WASHINGTON — Siemens Small Business Lending Inc. has been approved as a Small Business Lending Company, allowing the Siemens Financial Services-owned company to originate U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans for small businesses.

PODCAST | Why Manufacturers Are Choosing Flexibility Instead of Reshoring

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Tariffs have reduced direct imports from China, but that doesn't mean manufacturing is coming back to the United States. Patrick Van den Bossche of Kearney explains why companies are building supply chain flexibility instead of committing to reshoring — and why much of the production leaving China is simply moving somewhere else.

Accenture AI Digital Twins Help Cut Waste, Improve Throughput

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

NEW YORK — AI-enabled digital twins are moving deeper into high-volume manufacturing as producers look for faster ways to reduce waste, improve quality and adjust production processes in real time.

PODCAST | AI in Manufacturing: A Force Multiplier Still Stuck in Pilot Mode

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

Manufacturers are rapidly adopting AI, but most deployments remain limited to small-scale pilots. In this episode, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize, explains why scaling AI across the enterprise is proving far more difficult than expected.

VIDEO | Sight Machine Expands AI Platform for Factory Operations

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Jon Sobel, CEO and co-founder of Sight Machine, discusses how the company’s updated AI platform is designed to help process experts turn plant-floor signals, equipment data and operational knowledge into recommendations that can improve production performance.

VIDEO | USMCA Review Could Reshape Nearshoring Economics

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:30:00 -0400

Mexico has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of recent supply chain shifts, but much of the value in those products still comes from components sourced in Asia. Patrick Van den Bossche explains how upcoming USMCA discussions could reshape nearshoring strategies, regional content rules and the future economics of North American manufacturing.

PODCAST | AI Vision on the Plant Floor: Where It Works and Where It Doesn’t

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

AI is changing machine vision, but not in the way many manufacturers expect. Matt Moschner, CEO of Cognex, explains where AI vision systems outperform traditional tools, where they don’t and why most real-world applications rely on a hybrid approach.

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.

Tariffs, AI and Automation Reshape Global Manufacturing Strategy

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

BOSTON — Artificial intelligence, advanced automation and rising tariff pressure are beginning to reshape where automotive and aerospace manufacturers choose to build products, potentially reducing some of the long-standing cost advantages of lower-wage production regions, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group.

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.

Frontline Workers Report Rising Operational Pressure

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — Growing operational pressure, outdated systems and slow decision-making are increasing frustration among frontline workers across manufacturing and other industrial sectors, according to new research from SafetyCulture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dawn Fichter on Recruiting Basics, Better Onboarding and Hiring Skilled Manufacturing Workers

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:01:00 -0400

Dawn Fichter, owner of Tools 4 Hiring, discusses why so many manufacturing roles remain open for months and what hiring managers are often getting wrong. She shares practical advice on how manufacturers can move faster, simplify job requirements and focus less on the perfect resume and more on trainability, mindset and soft skills.

Where Robotics Is Headed: From Pilot Projects to Production Reality

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — As National Robotics Week highlights advances in automation, one trend is becoming clear: robotics is no longer confined to pilot projects or isolated applications. It is being deployed across production lines to solve specific manufacturing challenges. In many cases, the shift is happening at the process level.

As AI and Automation Expand, Manufacturers Are Rethinking the Network Behind the Factory

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — Manufacturers are accelerating investments in automation and artificial intelligence, but many are encountering a common obstacle: the networks supporting those systems were not designed for the demands they now face.

Touring the Automated Assembly Line at Appliance Park

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

GE Appliances' first in-house water filter manufacturing operation includes fully automated assembly and packaging, robotic pick-and-place systems guided by machine vision, 100 percent in-line leak testing, and end-to-end traceability.

Where Robotics Is Headed: AI, Humanoids and the Rise of Physical Intelligence

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — As National Robotics Week highlights the rapid evolution of automation, manufacturers are beginning to deploy a new generation of intelligent robotic systems capable of adapting to real-world production environments. Robotics is no longer defined by motion alone. The next phase of automation is being driven by intelligence — systems that can perceive, decide and adapt in real time on the factory floor.

Where Robotics Is Headed: From Tools to Teammates on the Factory Floor

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — As National Robotics Week highlights advances across automation and AI, manufacturers are seeing those innovations move rapidly from concept to production environments. Industrial robotics is entering a new phase. What began as fixed automation for repetitive tasks is evolving into flexible systems designed to work alongside people, adapt to changing conditions and take on increasingly complex assembly work. Recent developments across manufacturing show a clear shift: robots are no longer just improving efficiency — they are expanding what can be automated.

Greg Dyer on Manufacturing Hiring, Workforce Flexibility and the Future of Factory Talent

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Greg Dyer, Chief Commercial Officer at Randstad USA, shares what the current labor market looks like for manufacturers, why reshoring is creating new workforce pressures and how companies can rethink recruiting to meet today's hiring challenges.