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.
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By the numbers: TIEA Connectors raises $8M Series A
Here’s How Much Shipowners Have Saved up to Invest in US-Built Tonnage
U.S. shipowners and domestic shipyards have set aside roughly $2.59 billion in tax‑deferred Capital Construction Funds earmarked for new U.S.-built vessels, according to the Trump administration’s Maritime Action Plan. The plan touts the accounts as a successful incentive mechanism designed to channel private capital into American shipbuilding. These funds sit in special accounts that can be drawn down without immediate tax liability, effectively creating a pool of dry‑powder for future investments. The White House highlighted the figure as evidence of growing confidence in the U.S. maritime manufacturing sector.
Hoyer VMS Group Strengthens Chinese Presence with Headquarters Expansion
Hoyer VMS Group is expanding its Asian headquarters in Ningbo, China, adding a 3,800‑square‑meter warehouse and workshop. The new facilities boost the company’s ability to serve shipowners, fleet managers, shipyards and OEMs throughout Asia. This is the first major strategic...
AM SOLUTIONS INTRODUCES THE M4 BASIC, A COST-EFFECTIVE ENTRY-LEVEL MODEL POST-PROCESSING SYSTEM
AM Solutions, a brand of the Rösler Group, launched the M4 Basic, a compact, cost‑effective vibratory finishing system for additive‑manufactured metal and polymer parts. The unit processes workpieces up to 70 × 70 × 25 mm and combines a 20‑litre rotary vibrator with a 25‑litre...
Podcast: Rethinking Industrial Equipment Sales: Inside Corbel’s AI-Driven Approach
Corbel, a next‑generation CPQ platform, is using generative AI to overhaul industrial equipment sales. The system mines unstructured data—PDFs, videos, sales transcripts—to deliver instant technical answers and embeds financing options directly into the buying flow. By keeping human sales reps...
Revealing the ‘50 to Know,’ ‘50 to Watch,’ ‘Future 5’ Start-Ups and ‘Hall of Fame’ Procurement Provider Lists for 2025-2026
The Hackett Group’s Solution Intelligence team released its 13th 50 to Know and 50 to Watch procurement provider lists, alongside the Hall of Fame and the 8th Future 5 for 2025‑2026. After evaluating roughly 220 global vendors, 117 solutions earned placement across the...
Kongsberg Maritime Expands Offerings in Indonesia with PT PAL MoU
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT PAL, Indonesia’s largest state‑owned shipyard, to deepen collaboration on marine technology solutions. The ceremony in Surabaya was attended by senior officials from both companies and the Norwegian ambassador. The MoU follows...
Silicon Becomes Core Driver of Data Center Networking
#Technology #Thread #Semiconductor #Manufacturing #Data The Semiconductor Data Networking: 1/ - Modern Data Center Networking Is No Longer Just A Software Or Infrastructure Challenge. It Starts With Semiconductor Capability. - Bandwidth Growth, AI Traffic, And Cloud Scale Push Silicon To Become The Core...
Silk Searoad Appoints V. For Bulk, Tanker Fleet Management
V. has entered a technical management partnership with Greek shipowner Silk Searoad Maritime to oversee its eight‑vessel fleet, comprising five bulk carriers and three tankers. The agreement gives Silk Searoad access to V.’s global marine services, data‑driven performance platforms, and the Marcas...
Importers May Front‑Load Amid Flat Trump Tariffs
Countries and export options other than the US. Trump flat tariff. Will importers front load like before? Five years and continuing supply chain importance.
Europe Losing Investment Attractiveness for Food, Drink Producers, Says Survey
A FoodDrinkEurope survey shows Europe has slipped to third place as a preferred location for food and drink manufacturing investment, behind Asia and North America. Only 31% of CEOs view Europe as attractive, yet 51% still plan to increase spending...
AI Could Outperform Executives in Designing Resilient Supply Chains
Would AI, instead of the C-suite, improve supply chain design and performance? Especially after five years of disruption and now unpredictability. https://t.co/Z60firMpE4
Big Joe Forklifts Launches WS25-40 High Performance Lithium-Ion Stacker to Boost Productivity in Tight Spaces
Big Joe Forklifts introduced the WS25‑40 High Performance Lithium‑ion Stacker, a walk‑straddle stacker designed for tight warehouse aisles. The model lifts between 2,500 and 4,000 lb and features a compact footprint, fully proportional controls, and an integrated lithium‑ion battery with onboard...
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Zebra Technologies’ AltiZ 3D sensors now power EBI Electric’s Inspector T lumber‑scanning system, delivering an eightfold increase in measurement precision. The AI‑enhanced solution identifies defects such as knots, cracks and rot, enabling manufacturers to boost usable wood yields by up to...
How SCADA and Analytics Software Improve OEE
Manufacturers and OEMs are turning to integrated SCADA and analytics software to boost overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Real‑time visibility into availability, performance, and quality replaces manual PLC checks and paper logs, enabling instant downtime tracking and quality monitoring. The combined...
Torc Robotics and Daimler Truck Expand Autonomous Truck Testing to Michigan Public Roads
Torc Robotics announced that its autonomous trucks will now be tested on public roads in Michigan, using the latest‑generation Daimler Truck Freightliner Cascadia chassis. The expansion builds on existing test sites in Dallas‑Fort Worth and Blacksburg and moves development from the...
Supply Chains Brace for Post‑Tariff Uncertainty
What will Trump do with tariff that expire in 150 days? What next? What are China’s countermeasures? What will supply chains do now? After these tariffs expire? Prepare or react?
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Stäubli Robotics unveiled the next‑generation Sterimove at INTERPHEX 2026, positioning it as the world’s first mobile robot certified for Grade A, B, C and D cleanroom environments. The platform combines sealed, cleanroom‑compatible construction with advanced collision‑avoidance sensing, dual emergency stops...
Dutch and Korean Builders Achieve the Impossible
I visited this ship when she was being built. Truly a “How the F are they going to make this work?” moment. When they work together the Dutch and South Korean shipbuilders accomplish the impossible. And this isn’t even the most...
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS TOP OEMS CUT DOWNTIME RECOVERY BY 40%, STRENGTHENING PROFITABILITY THROUGH RESILIENCE-FIRST STRATEGIES
Rockwell Automation’s new OEM Advantage Playbook, based on a survey of 500 machine‑builder leaders across 17 countries, shows top OEMs have reduced average downtime recovery from 40 hours to 24 hours – a 40% improvement. The research links faster recovery...
Quantcore Secures £2.5M ($3.4M USD) to Establish Sovereign Niobium-Based Quantum Hardware Manufacturing
Quantcore, a University of Glasgow spin‑out, closed a £2.5 million seed round led by PXN Ventures, Blackfinch Ventures and Scottish Enterprise. The funding will be used to build a sovereign niobium‑based quantum hardware manufacturing line at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre,...
X-365 Precision XY Gantry System Offers Configurable, Affordable Motion for High-Throughput, High-Accuracy Applications
Physik Instrumente (PI) unveiled the X‑365 Precision XY Gantry System, a modular Cartesian robot that delivers nanometer‑class positioning across travel ranges from 200 × 200 mm up to 600 × 800 mm. The platform combines high load capacity with integrated linear‑encoder feedback and EtherCat‑based controller compatibility,...
6K Additive Signs Long-Term Supply Agreement with Siemens Energy Supporting Circularity in Nickel-Based Alloys
6K Additive has signed a global long‑term supply agreement with Siemens Energy to receive spent nickel‑alloy powder from Siemens’ additive‑manufacturing sites. The reclaimed material will be processed in 6K’s UniMelt microwave plasma system, converting it into virgin‑grade, AM‑ready powder. To...
Compound Semiconductor Materials Market Growing at 14% CAGR to Almost $5.2bn by 2031
Yole Group’s 2026 report projects the global compound‑semiconductor substrate and epiwafer market to grow at a 14% CAGR, reaching roughly $5 bn by 2031. The surge is powered by electrification, AI‑driven data‑center demand, and next‑generation connectivity, with silicon carbide (SiC) anchoring...
The Mechatronic Approach to Designing Motion as a System
Mechatronics is evolving from isolated components to fully integrated motion systems, where motors, drives, controllers, and software operate as a single organism. Kollmorgen’s SFD‑M feedback device exemplifies automatic motor‑drive parameter exchange, cutting commissioning time and eliminating manual errors. Integrated design...
Melotte Successfully Installs Amsight as Full-Process Data System, Marking the Next Step Toward Reducing CT Scanning Efforts
Melotte, Additive Center, and amsight GmbH have deployed a full‑process data capture system at Melotte’s facility. The platform records structured data from raw material receipt through printing, post‑processing and CT scanning, creating a unified digital thread for each semiconductor component....
Freire Signs Deal with Sweden’s FMV for Four Naval Support Vessels
Spanish shipbuilder C.N.P. Freire has secured a contract with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to build four 47‑meter naval support vessels. The ships are designed for harsh weather and ice, carrying 16 crew, reaching 12 knots and sustaining up to...
The State of Fleet Management Directly From the Fleets
A recent Fleetio survey of 600 fleet professionals reveals that rising operating costs and tightening emissions regulations dominate executive concerns, with over half of respondents flagging cost inflation and 46 % citing compliance pressures. While more than 70 % have adopted dedicated...
Fontana: Women Truck Drivers Satisfied with the Job, yet Safety Concerns Persist
A recent Lance Surety Bonds survey shows 85% of women truck drivers would recommend the profession, citing high pay, independence and work‑life balance. Despite strong satisfaction, safety concerns linger, with 30% reporting sexual harassment and only 31% feeling safe sleeping...
Mitsubishi Delivers First Ammonia Fuel Supply Systems for Marine Use
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has shipped the first ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) and ammonia gas abatement system (AGAS) for Japan Engine Corporation’s inaugural ammonia‑fueled marine engine, model 7UEC50LSJA‑HPSCR. The AFSS delivers ammonia to the engine safely and steadily, while the AGAS...
‘Garbage in, Garbage Out’ – Solar Industry Debates Reality of AI
The Solar Quality Summit in Barcelona highlighted AI’s ability to accelerate photovoltaic project planning, construction, and operations, but stressed that its value hinges on high‑quality data. Attendees warned that “garbage in, garbage out” can magnify mistakes, making validation and human...
Self-Healing Composite Could Make Aircraft and Cars Last Centuries
Researchers at North Carolina State University have engineered a self‑healing fibre‑reinforced polymer (FRP) composite that could extend component lifespans from decades to centuries. The approach 3D‑prints a thermoplastic healing agent between fibre layers and embeds carbon‑based heater films that melt...
Weidmuller Releases New PV Connector Series for 1,500-V Systems
Weidmuller USA introduced the WM4 C PV connector series, engineered for advanced solar installations up to 1,500 V. The UL‑ and CSA‑approved connectors feature robust crimp contacts for 4 mm² and 6 mm² (12 AWG/10 AWG) conductors and are rated IP67 for harsh environments. An anti‑tampering...
LambdaVision Taps Starlab for Post-ISS Manufacturing Plans
LambdaVision announced it has pre‑booked manufacturing time and space on Starlab’s yet‑to‑launch commercial space station, positioning the biotech firm for post‑ISS production. The company, which raised a $7 million seed round and completed nine ISS missions, uses microgravity to fabricate higher‑performance...
Sodium-Ion Batteries Key to EU Competitive Edge, Says EESC President
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is pushing sodium‑ion batteries to the forefront of the EU’s industrial strategy, urging the next 2028‑2034 Multi‑Annual Financial Framework to allocate dedicated funding. EESC President Séamus Boland argues that sodium‑ion technology offers a...
How Flo Mobility’s AI Stack & Robots Are Disrupting The Construction Sector
Flo Mobility has introduced AI‑driven autonomous mobile robots that transport construction materials without manual labor, promising up to 45% faster delivery and 50% cost reductions. The Bengaluru startup raised a $2.5 million pre‑Series A round, bringing its total funding to roughly ₹23 crore,...
Placer.ai Overall Retail, E-Commerce Distribution, Industrial Manufacturing Index, January 2026 – Placer.ai Blog
Placer.ai’s January 2026 index shows both e‑commerce distribution centers and brick‑and‑mortar retailers recorded year‑over‑year foot‑traffic growth, extending holiday‑season momentum. Distribution centers posted a 2.6% increase while retail chains rose 1.8% YoY. In contrast, the Industrial Manufacturing Index slipped, driven by Winter...
Sciwind Biosciences and Pfizer China Partner to Commercialize Ecnoglutide in China
Sciwind Biosciences granted Pfizer China exclusive rights to commercialize ecnoglutide injection in Mainland China. Sciwind will keep the marketing authorization and handle R&D, registration, manufacturing, and supply, receiving up to $495 million in milestone payments. Ecnoglutide, a cAMP‑biased GLP‑1 receptor agonist,...
Keysight Launches Infiniium XR8 Real-Time Oscilloscopes
Keysight Technologies unveiled the Infiniium XR8, a next‑generation real‑time oscilloscope aimed at high‑speed digital and compliance testing. The XR8 combines a new front‑end ASIC, integrated ADC/DSP engine, and the Infiniium 2026 software platform to deliver 13 fs RMS intrinsic jitter and sub‑130 µV...
Amaero Reports 367% First-Half Revenue Growth
Amaero Ltd reported first‑half revenue of A$7.76 million, a 367% increase from the prior year. The growth was driven by A$6.74 million in powder sales and A$1.02 million from PM‑HIP manufacturing services. Despite the surge, the company posted a comprehensive loss of A$17.49 million,...
Filamentive Launches rPA12 Filament Made From Recycled MJF Powder Waste
Filamentive, a UK sustainable‑materials supplier, has launched rPA12, a nylon‑12 filament made entirely from recycled Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) powder waste. Developed with extrusion specialist 3devo, the filament matches the toughness, heat resistance and low moisture absorption of virgin PA12,...
NNSA, Sandia and Kansas City National Security Campus Open CAMINO Facility
On February 12, the National Nuclear Security Administration, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Kansas City National Security Campus inaugurated the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation (CAMINO) at the Science and Technology Park near Kirtland Air Force Base. The new...
Ukrainian Startup Launches Production of Segmented Combat Wheels
Ukrainian startup Qirim Technology has begun production of segmented airless wheels for military ground drones and vehicles. The modular design replaces traditional pneumatic tires with interchangeable rubber segments mounted on a steel frame, eliminating punctures. Wheels are supplied free to...
Nemetschek Arabia Signs MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association
Nemetschek Arabia and the Saudi Facility Management Association have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to drive digital transformation in Saudi Arabia’s facilities management sector. The MoU aligns with Vision 2030, focusing on BIM, digital twins, and data‑driven operations through joint...
Certis Partners to Deploy Autonomous Security Robots
Certis Group has signed a strategic partnership with FieldAI to roll out autonomous security robots across multi‑site operations worldwide. The collaboration blends FieldAI’s Field Foundation Models—general‑purpose AI that navigates without pre‑mapped routes—with Certis’ Mozart orchestration platform that synchronises robots, human...
When Hail Hits PV: New Research Maps Damage, Testing, and Mitigation
A new European‑led review maps how large hail damages photovoltaic (PV) modules, summarising laboratory tests, simulations and field studies across Europe and the United States. The paper cites 9,882 hail events in Europe in 2023, a €6 billion loss in northern...
Natural Spa Factory Champions Low Volume, High Mix Manufacturing to Support Emerging and Premium Brands
Natural Spa Factory’s Low‑Volume High‑Mix (LVHM) model lets emerging and premium brands produce small‑batch, multi‑format products without sacrificing professional‑grade formulation, quality control, or compliance. By consolidating formulation, filling, packaging, printing, fulfillment and dropshipping under one roof, the factory reduces handoffs...
Smart Water Systems in Automated Manufacturing
Industrial water treatment is shifting from manual oversight to a continuously monitored, data‑driven asset within automated factories. Sensors on reverse‑osmosis units feed pressure, conductivity and flow data into PLCs and SCADA systems, allowing real‑time alignment of water quality with production...
3D Printed Pipe Embeds Heater And Sensor For Space
A European consortium has 3D‑printed a 150 mm spacecraft‑grade pipe in 316L stainless steel that embeds a 60 W resistive heater, internal wiring, a D‑sub connector, and an aerosol‑jet‑printed temperature sensor. The design‑for‑additive‑manufacturing approach eliminates separate Kapton heaters and fragile leads, aiming...
Apple to Start Assembling Mac Mini in the United States This Year
Apple will begin assembling the Mac mini in the United States in 2026, a notable shift for a product that makes up about five percent of global Mac sales. The 2024 redesign introduced the first major update since 2010, pairing...
Freightos Revenues up Nearly 25% in 2025
Freightos reported $29.5 million revenue for 2025, a 24 % increase over 2024, driven by higher carrier participation and transaction volume. Adjusted EBITDA narrowed to a $11.2 million loss, improving from $12.6 million the prior year, while cash reserves remain sufficient to fund growth....