ASSEMBLY Trends

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 — Growing operational pressure, outdated systems and slow decision-making are increasing frustration among frontline workers across manufacturing and other industrial sectors, according to new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

AI Action Lab Event Targets Shop Floor and Operational Use Cases in Manufacturing

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:43:35 -0400

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new hands-on event in Kansas City will bring manufacturers together with AI developers to focus on applying artificial intelligence to real production and operational challenges.

Blake Maurer on AI Inspection, Structured Data and Modern Quality Management

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Blake Maurer of Loopr AI discusses how manufacturers can improve quality inspection by combining human expertise with AI-enabled visual inspection systems.

Bill Good on Automation, Digitization and Building the No. 1 U.S. Appliance Manufacturer

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

On today's show, Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, shares how the company leverages automation and digitization to optimize efficiency, accelerate production and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

Bill Good on Using AI to Transform U.S. Manufacturing and Workforce Productivity

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This conversation with Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, explores what it takes to scale advanced manufacturing in the United States — and why speed, talent and technology must evolve together.

Trisha Epp on Opening NASA-Tested Innovation to Manufacturers — Paying for Outcomes, Not Proposals

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Trisha Epp, Director of Innovation at Freelancer, explains how a NASA-tested, crowdsourced approach to solving technical challenges is now available to manufacturers.

Amidst New Round of Scrutiny, Are Tariffs Working for U.S. Manufacturing?

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In imposing tariffs, Trump said his goal is to reduce the trade deficit and spur more manufacturing in the United States. One year into his second term, neither goal has been achieved. In fact, the opposite occurred.

Volkswagen and UAW Agree on First Labor Contract

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

The labor contract, in force for 3,200 employees at the automaker’s assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the first UAW contract at a Southern auto plant outside of the Detroit Three.

ASSEMBLY Audible: Meaghan Elwell on Engaging Frontline Workers and Building Human-Centered Manufacturing

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0500

On paper, many manufacturing facilities are high-performing operations, but research shows that even in the most well-run environments, frontline workers don’t always feel engaged, empowered or confident in their day-to-day performance. So where are manufacturers getting the workplace right, and where are they falling short when it comes to how employees actually experience the plant?

ASSEMBLY Audible: Nashay Naeve on Reframing Manufacturing to Attract and Retain New Talent

moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0500

Nashay Naeve, president of the Engineered Plastic Components business unit at Tsubaki Nakashima, breaks down why manufacturers are still struggling to fill roles, what leaders can change immediately to reframe the industry and how modern operations are reshaping what manufacturing careers actually look like.

Conference Program Announced for Manufacturing & Automation eXchange

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:02:00 -0500

NASHVILLE, TN—The Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX) has announced details of its MAX eXperience educational program, featuring a comprehensive lineup of six immersive workshops, a keynote presentation, and targeted education sessions designed to equip manufacturing professionals with practical strategies for today’s rapidly evolving production environment.