Today's Manufacturing Pulse
Stellantis to pour $1.08B into next‑gen EV line at Mulhouse plant
President Emmanuel Macron announced Stellantis will invest more than €1 billion (about $1.08 billion) in a next‑generation electric‑vehicle production line at its Mulhouse facility, slated to start in 2029 as part of France’s push to electrify two‑thirds of new cars by 2030.
Also developing:
By the numbers: TIEA Connectors raises $8M Series A
Sky Advanced Materials Appoints Matrix Composite Materials as U.K. Distributor
Sky Advanced Materials has named Matrix Composite Materials as its exclusive UK distributor, bringing its high‑performance multiaxial carbon‑fiber fabrics to the British market. Sky’s tow‑spreading technology can spin 50,000 industrial fibers into lightweight reinforcements as thin as 75 g·m⁻², giving UK manufacturers a new design option. In parallel, Fairmat and Syensqo have deepened their recycling partnership, converting carbon‑fiber waste from Syensqo’s German plant into circular feedstock for mobility, sports and construction applications. The deals build on a 2025 agreement and signal a shift toward integrated supply chains and sustainability in composites.
A Sustainable Fibre System that Would Not Have a Cost to Our Planet
During a plant visit, Sylka Carpets discovered massive post‑consumer carpet waste—400,000 tons landfilled in the UK and over 1.8 million tons in the US. In response, its R&D team spent two years creating EcoSylk®, a fiber that separates carpet into polypropylene, calcium and...
Perspective From Zebra Technologies: Pocket Automation – the Pragmatic Path to a Resilient Supply Chain in 2026
Zebra Technologies argues that by 2026 the most effective supply‑chain upgrade will be "pocket automation"—targeted, workflow‑level upgrades rather than full‑site, lights‑out factories. The approach promises ROI within 24 months, leveraging AI‑enabled handhelds, wearables and RFID to augment frontline workers. Incremental...
Brokers Note Rising Middle East Demand Following Outbreak of War
Cargo charter brokers report a surge in enquiries after the US‑Israel missile strikes on Iran triggered the grounding of major Gulf carriers. Qatar Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo have largely halted scheduled flights, prompting shippers to seek ad‑hoc charters....
Business Central AI Forecasts Now Drive Planning Parameters with Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet
Insight Works has extended its Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet to link Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central AI forecasts directly to item planning parameters such as safety stock, reorder point, and maximum inventory. Users can create expressions that combine forecast quantities, historical...
Intersolar & Energy Storage North America Delivers Expert Insights, Innovative Solutions and Impactful Connections at Flagship Event
Intersolar & Energy Storage North America’s flagship event took place Feb 18‑20 in San Diego, drawing 314 exhibiting companies and a cross‑section of installers, EPC firms, manufacturers and consultants. The three‑day program featured hands‑on workshops, a 28‑session conference with keynotes on federal...
Glamox to Light US Navy’s Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship
Glamox has won a contract from Austal USA to supply exterior and interior LED marine lighting for the upcoming USNS James D. Fairbanks (T‑ATS‑13), the latest Navajo‑Class towing, salvage and rescue ship for the U.S. Navy. The deal adds a...
Making Lean, Agile and Digital Twins Work in Custom Jobs
The signage industry, traditionally a craft‑focused, custom‑joinery market, is adopting agile, digital‑twin, and lean methodologies to streamline production. Scrum‑style sprints replace rigid scopes, enabling rapid client feedback and faster approvals. Digital twins and 3D‑printed prototypes give customers realistic visualizations before...
Comau Expands Wearable Robotics with New Mate-XT GO Exoskeleton
Comau has introduced the Mate‑XT GO, a sub‑3 kg wearable exoskeleton that supports arm and shoulder movements for repetitive or overhead tasks. Certified as Category II personal protective equipment, it can be donned in 30 seconds and removed in 10 seconds, delivering up to 50 percent...
Problems With Legacy DCS
Legacy distributed control systems (DCS) are reaching end‑of‑life, leaving plant operators without vendor‑supported upgrades. ABB and Schneider Electric have announced migration toolkits, but the announcements lack concrete technical detail. Industry experts, including John Rezabek, are urging the adoption of Open...
ANYbotics Achieves ISO 27001 Certification
ANYbotics earned ISO 27001 certification on its first audit, achieving zero non‑conformities. The independent, third‑party audit validates the company’s world‑class Information Security Management System. Certification directly benefits customers operating robots in hazardous and mission‑critical environments by embedding security into design, build,...
Warthog: A Rugged Platform for Industrial Automation
The Warthog UGV is a rugged, all‑terrain unmanned ground vehicle built for industrial automation and research, offering a 272 kg payload, 18 km/h top speed, and IP65‑rated steel/aluminum construction. It comes with ROS 2 preinstalled, a Gazebo simulation model, and flexible power outputs...
Metals Movers: Stainless Insights with ISSDA’s President
In this episode Deepika Singh talks with Rajamani Krishnamurthy, President of the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISDA), about the rapid expansion of India’s stainless‑steel sector and the structural challenges it faces. Krishnamurthy stresses that the biggest hurdle is the prevailing...
Lift Truck Tips: Attachments Make Odd Jobs Faster and Safer
Lift‑truck attachments, especially paper‑roll clamps, are transforming material handling by reducing damage and speeding up transport. Bolzoni emphasizes custom‑engineered solutions that match each roll’s dimensions, allowing operators to move products faster with fewer workers. The company highlights safety gains from...
Michelin North America Introduces XHA3 Tyre at CONEXPO 2026
Michelin North America unveiled the XHA3 earthmover tyre at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, positioning it as the next evolution of its XHA2 line. The new tyre delivers higher load capacity, improved tonne‑per‑hour performance and a redesigned tread engineered for modern loaders and...
Revive US Manufacturing to Secure National Defense
Re: concerns about how loss of manufacturing capacity in the US has put national security at risk in the case of a war. It seems like looking how to address shortages we observe now, with so much US-armed global conflict...
Conflux Technology 3D Printed Oil Cooler Completes Full-Distance Endurance Race on Multimatic-Engineered Car
Australian firm Conflux Technology successfully completed a full‑distance endurance race using its 3D‑printed, configurable transmission oil cooler on a Multimatic Motorsports car. The metal‑additive‑manufactured cooler was produced in two weeks and achieved roughly 20% higher heat rejection than the previous...
ArcBest Invests $175M in AI-Driven Freight Tech
Tech is central to @ArcBestCorp's next chapter. On Talking Transports, I speak with $ARCB CEO Seth Runser about managed transportation, AI-driven pricing, $175M annual tech investment & positioning for the next freight upcycle. 🎧 Listen: Apple: https://t.co/WAP6vhrJzk Spotify: https://t.co/C3HlIvcwW4 iHeart: https://t.co/totfMklli9 https://t.co/eCb5WV066Z: https://t.co/bbX2drmAGG Bloomberg Terminal:...
Fraud First: Why ‘Broker Transparency’ Misses the Mark
The article contends that the FMCSA’s push to tighten broker transparency under 49 CFR 371.3 misses the larger problem of freight fraud, which has generated over 80,000 complaints. It traces the rule’s origins to a 1949 ICC mandate and its...
How Pakistan’s GIDS Aims to Win in Saudi Arabia’s Surging Defence Market
Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) showcased its expanded munitions and drone lineup at the 2026 World Defense Show in Riyadh, signalling a focused push into Saudi Arabia’s booming defence market. CEO Asad Kamal emphasized the company’s willingness to transfer...
Congressional Policymakers Reintroduce Railway Safety Act
Senators Maria Cantwell and Jon Husted have reintroduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act, a bill first proposed in 2023 after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The legislation mandates deployment of defect‑detection technologies, two‑person train crews, stricter emergency‑response...
Rising Sanctions, Compliance Complexity Increase Global Shipping Risks
Maritime firms are confronting a surge in sanctions and compliance complexity as regulators demand pre‑emptive risk detection, according to Marcura’s new report. Divergent US, EU and other sanctions regimes, expanding secondary sanctions, and an opaque shadow fleet are amplifying exposure...
Shippers and Oil Traders Seek Details on Trump’s Convoy Plan
President Donald Trump announced a U.S.‑backed plan to guarantee free flow of energy shipments through the Persian Gulf by offering insurance backstops and naval escorts for commercial tankers. The proposal comes as recent attacks have choked the Strait of Hormuz,...
American Magic Uses Phased Array NDT to Safeguard Composite Boat Performance
American Magic, the elite sailing team, has brought nondestructive testing in‑house by deploying Evident’s phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) system. The OmniScan X4 flaw detector, paired with phased array probes and a RollerFORM XL scanner, now inspects large carbon‑fiber hull...
TPM26: US Trucking Crackdown Likely to Have Delayed Impact on Drayage Sector
A congressional proposal known as Delilah’s Law would strip thousands of non‑English‑speaking and non‑domiciled commercial driver’s license holders from U.S. roads, intensifying a broader Trump‑era trucking crackdown. Panelists at TPM26 argued that the drayage sector, especially at ports like Long Beach,...
Old Dominion ‘Encouraged’ as Declines Moderate in February
Old Dominion Freight Line reported a 3.3% year‑over‑year decline in revenue per day for February, an improvement over the 6.8% drop in January. Tonnage fell 6.8% YoY and daily shipments slipped 7%, while weight per shipment rose 0.2% and yield...
DHL Express Workers Threaten Strike if No Contract by March 31
Teamsters members at DHL Express voted 96% to authorize a strike if the national master agreement isn’t renewed by March 31, 2026. The contract, covering thousands of drivers and warehouse workers across 16 states, is set to expire and the union is...
Dr. Copper Rebounds as Manufacturing Finally Picks Up
"Dr. Copper" is seeking redemption. It usually moves hand-in-hand with the manufacturing data. That was not the case in 2023-2024, when it rose but manufacturing remained moribund. Notwithstanding the recent pullback, both are rising again. A promising chart, in my...
Tariff Roundtable Looks at What Happens Next for Supply Chains
A week after the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, industry leaders report little immediate impact on sourcing, freight bookings, or trade volumes. Companies are adopting a cautious stance, reviewing inventory and carrier commitments while holding existing network configurations. The ruling provides...
Mack Debuts Keystone Class 8 Tractor as Pinnacle Replacement
Mack Trucks unveiled the Keystone, a new Class 8 vocational tractor that replaces the two‑decade‑old Pinnacle model. The vehicle features Mack’s MP13 powertrain delivering up to 540 hp and a modular bumper system, and it is the first Mack tractor offered in...
Cosco Halts Gulf Bookings, Defying Iran Alliance
Cosco suspends bookings on Gulf. China is an Iran ally. Why would a Chinese carrier do this?
SPE Automotive Opens Nominations for Hall of Fame, Most Innovative Use of Plastics Awards
The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Division has opened nominations for its 55th Automotive Innovation Awards Gala, scheduled for November 4, 2026 in Livonia, Michigan. Two flagship recognitions are offered: the Most Innovative Use of Plastics award, with a...
ACL Airshop Appoints New CEO
ULD specialist ACL Airshop has named James Harris as its new chief executive, succeeding Bernhard Kindelbacher after a two‑year tenure. Harris, who joined as CFO in 2021, is credited with overhauling the finance function and gaining deep operational insight. He...
LGG Connect Adds 13th Member
LGG Connect, the non‑profit air cargo association based at Liege Airport, announced that global ULD leasing firm ACL Airshop has joined as its 13th associate member. Founded in December 2024, the group brings together airlines, handlers, freight forwarders and service providers to...
TCL Sunpower Presents Shingle TOPCon Solar Panels for Rooftop PV
TCL Sunpower has launched two new shingled‑module TOPCon series for rooftop solar, expanding its P Class portfolio. The residential RES Black line offers 465‑475 W modules with up to 23.8% efficiency, while the commercial COM series delivers 580‑600 W and up to...
Samsara Uses AI to Help City Fleets Clear Snow After Storms
Syracuse, the nation’s snowiest city, has cut snow‑removal complaint calls by 30% after deploying Samsara’s AI‑enhanced GPS and dash‑cam system. The platform provides real‑time vehicle locations and video, feeding a public map that refreshes every five minutes and helps dispatch...
Altera Advances FPGA-Based Physical AI for Robotics and Edge Applications
Altera showcased its Agilex 3 and Agilex 5 FPGA families at Embedded World, highlighting a unified sensor‑to‑actuator architecture for physical AI in robotics, industrial vision, and edge devices. Live demos demonstrated high‑definition camera fusion, medical imaging preprocessing, and deterministic low‑latency robotic control....
VIA Labs Announces Availability of Industrial-Grade USB 5Gbps and 10Gbps Hub Controllers at Embedded World 2026
VIA Labs announced at Embedded World 2026 the release of two industrial‑grade USB hub controllers, the VL819i (5 Gbps) and VL822i (10 Gbps). The devices are offered in Q7 (9 × 9 mm) and Q8 (10 × 10 mm) packages, supporting USB‑A and USB‑C downstream ports with pin‑to‑pin...
Trina Solar Unveils 485 W TOPCon PV Panel with 24.3% Efficiency
Trina Solar unveiled its third‑generation Vertex S+ G3 dual‑glass TOPCon modules at the Key Energy trade show in Rimini, delivering up to 485 W power and a record 24.3% conversion efficiency. The five variants span 465‑495 W, feature a –0.26% /°C temperature coefficient,...
From One Image to 3D: Beginner Demand Drives Attention Toward AI Modeling Platforms
Math Magic’s Hitem3D v2.0 launches as an AI‑driven platform that turns a single photograph into a production‑ready 3D model within minutes. The upgrade adds high‑resolution 1536³ texture output and structure‑aware synthesis to improve mesh stability and reduce post‑processing. By simplifying the...
Simbe Becomes First Retail Robotics Company to Achieve UL 3300 Certification for Autonomous Robot Tally
Simbe announced that its autonomous shelf‑scanning robot Tally has earned UL 3300 certification, making it the first retail robotics company to achieve the standard. The certification validates Tally’s mechanical, electrical and software safety after passing more than 40 rigorous tests for...
Why Even the Most Automated Factories Still Need the Human Touch
The article examines the rise of "lights‑out" or dark‑factory manufacturing, where robotics, AI, and machine‑vision enable production with minimal human presence. While high‑volume, low‑variability lines—such as Chinese EV plants—show impressive productivity gains, the piece warns that full automation falters in...
Top Warehouse KPIs for Small Businesses – What To Track and Why?
In this episode the host breaks down the most important warehouse KPIs for small businesses, organizing them into receiving/shipping, put‑away, picking, order management, storage, labor, and safety categories. Each metric—such as receiving efficiency, picking accuracy, inventory turnover, labor utilization, and...
Cyngn Deploys DriveMod Tugger at WEG Electric Motor Facility
Cyngn announced a commercial contract to install its DriveMod Tugger at WEG’s electric‑motor plant in Bluffton, Indiana. The autonomous tugger will move up to 60 pallets of components daily, replacing single‑pallet forklift runs. By handling predictable transport, the system frees forklift...
Metamorphic AM Launches Rapid Geometry Review to Expand Access to Elite DfAM Expertise
Metamorphic AM has introduced Rapid Geometry Review, a service that provides expert Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) evaluation before production. The offering assesses structural logic, printability, material suitability, manufacturability, and missed geometric opportunities, aiming to cut risk and accelerate development....
Siemens Delivers Verified AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solution for Industrial 5G with Palo Alto Networks
Siemens announced a verified AI‑driven cybersecurity solution for private industrial 5G networks, developed with Palo Alto Networks. The offering integrates Siemens’ private 5G infrastructure, the SINEC Security Monitor, and Palo Alto’s next‑generation firewall optimized for OT protocols, delivering IEC 62443‑grade protection...
Validate Cloud SCM Fits Your Real Workflows
Manufacturers: how do you know if cloud SCM enhancements fit your reality? Assess future state operating models and product capabilities against your workflows and data. It's about how the software truly works day-to-day. #SCM #Cloud https://t.co/K8BkrmvMyN
Industrial Economy Gains Momentum, War Boosts Manufacturing
ISM and flatbed freight data are showing the same thing: the industrial economy is starting to ramp up. The war in Iran will also drive more strength in manufacturing, as military related manufacturing is approx 8% of all US domestic...
Southco’s New Heavy-Duty Rotary Latch Simplifies Cab Access While Enhancing Operator Safety
Southco has launched the R4‑50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers, a heavy‑duty cab‑door solution for off‑highway and agricultural equipment. The latch offers independent interior and exterior actuation, a pre‑loaded hand lever that dampens vibration, and mechanisms to prevent accidental release....
Sensy Load Cells From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect launched the Sensy 2172L single‑point, 5510 shear‑beam, and 2782 tension/compression load‑cell series, targeting applications from small packaging scales to rugged industrial tanks. The cells are constructed from aircraft‑grade aluminum or stainless steel, offer built‑in overload protection, and achieve accuracies...