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
Nanostructured Plasma Engineering Extends the Life of Industrial Steel
A plasma‑based low‑energy nitrogen ion implantation (PBLEII) treatment dramatically improves the corrosion resistance of 17‑4PH martensitic stainless steel, with peak performance at 450 °C. Electrochemical tests show the corrosion potential shifting to –169.4 mV (SCE), passive current density dropping to 0.5 µA cm⁻², and polarization resistance more than doubling to 4.68 × 10⁵ Ω·cm². The benefits stem from a nitrogen‑rich nanocrystalline γ′N phase that stabilizes the passive oxide film, while temperatures above 500 °C cause CrN precipitation and grain coarsening that erode protection. The study highlights a narrow processing window rather than a simple “more is better” approach.
Backing Philly Mayor’s Manufacturing Push Amid NY Crisis
I’ve seen her positive words — If @PhillyMayor is serious about supporting manufacturing, shipbuilding, and the defense industrial base in Philadelphia, I will help her. New York is in a rapidly accelerating crisis of conscience.
Trener Robotics Acteris Platform Brings Pre-Trained Physical AI Skills to Industrial Robots
Trener Robotics unveiled the Acteris platform, a software layer that equips existing ABB, Universal Robots and FANUC machines with pre‑trained Physical AI skills. Backed by a $32 million Series A round, the company’s total funding now exceeds $38 million, enabling rapid market expansion...
Simplifying Complex Systems
Two major automation vendors, ABB and Schneider Electric’s Foxboro unit, announced distinct strategies for upgrading existing process control systems. ABB leverages its extensive installed base to offer a comprehensive modernization pathway, while Schneider emphasizes a modular, open architecture aimed at...
Tariffs Won’t Drive Reindustrialization Without Consistent Policy
Its a warning shot to people who think tariffs are going to secure reindustrialization. Is it sustainable? Industrial policy can't be on and off and work.
Ford Repurposes Idle Plant for Batteries Amid Market Growth
Ford is going to try to make a go at batteries in its idled plant. I find it hard to be optimistic about that, but it's at least a growing market https://t.co/37Ns45bbLE
New NPS Challenge Aims to Rewrite How the Military Builds Missiles
The Department of Defense has long struggled with the high cost and long timelines of traditional missile programs, where a single system can exceed millions of dollars. To counter this, the Naval Postgraduate School introduced the Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge,...
How to Make Automation and Process Control Ideas Work
Huffman Engineering, a 40‑year‑old system integrator, delivers end‑to‑end automation for highly regulated sectors by designing, building, and validating UL‑certified panels in‑house. The firm completes roughly 100 full‑scale projects each year, emphasizing custom, full‑process solutions over simple machine integration. By merging...
Private 5G Networks: Solving the Space and Power Problem
Samsung introduced a ‘Network in a Server’ (NIS) solution that consolidates private 5G core, RAN, transport and AI functions onto a single COTS server. By virtualising these network elements on an AMD EPYC 8000 platform with GPU support, the architecture...
What It Really Means: Supply Chain Control Towers
Supply chain control towers are organizational hubs that combine people, data, and decision rights to manage complexity, rather than merely software platforms. Enabled by integrated digital tools, they can focus on logistics, planning, or end‑to‑end execution across varying time horizons....
IIAs 2026 | Sensirion’s Expansion in Debrecen, Hungary
Swiss sensor specialist Sensirion expanded its Debrecen, Hungary facility, earning the top award for Europe’s most impactful small operational project. The plant, originally opened in 2021, added capacity through a 2023‑24 expansion and is projected to create 200 jobs by...
IIAs 2026 | SK’s Expansion in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland
South Korean conglomerate SK Group’s battery separator plant in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland, was named the second‑most impactful operational mega project in Europe for 2026. The €4.4 bn investment has created more than 1,200 jobs and strengthens Europe’s battery supply chain amid rising...
IIAs 2026 | CATL’s Gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary
Chinese battery giant CATL is investing €7.34 bn to build a gigafactory in Debrecen, Hungary, the country’s largest greenfield project. The company has already assembled over 120,000 battery modules in a rented facility and aims to start lithium‑ion cell production in...
IIAs 2026 | Harro Höfliger’s Expansion in Debrecen, Hungary
Harro Höfliger, a German machinery maker, is expanding its Debrecen plant with a €15 million investment, creating 100 jobs. The project follows the 2024 acquisition of Manz’s Hungarian operations and was ranked the second most impactful small‑scale FDI in the 2026 Investment...
IIAs 2026 | Copeland’s Site Expansion in Cookstown, Northern Ireland
US‑based climate‑tech firm Copeland announced a £19 million expansion of its Cookstown, Northern Ireland factory, adding a new production line for heat‑pump compressors. The investment, the most impactful small‑sized project in Europe according to the 2026 Investment Impact Awards, is projected...
IIAs 2026 | Smart Solar Technologies’ Solar Module Factory in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Smart Solar Technologies, a Turkish cleantech firm, announced a €122 million investment to build a solar cell and module factory in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The plant will target 1,500 MW of wafer, cell and module output and is expected to generate more than...
Next Tech Bubble? China Warns of Robot Overcapacity
The episode examines China's rapid expansion of the humanoid robotics industry, driven by government subsidies and venture capital, and the resulting overcapacity warning from the National Development and Reform Commission. It highlights the high costs, limited real-world demand, and technical...
Spain Becomes Fourth Country to Join Aero Excellence Initiative to Improve Supply Chain
Spain has become the fourth nation to join the European Aero Excellence International initiative, a collaborative program aimed at boosting aerospace supply‑chain resilience. The scheme, originally launched by France’s GIFAS in 2023 and expanded with Germany’s BDLI and the UK’s...
Reed Critical Frequency in Vertical Motors: Improving Resonance Prediction
Vertical motors are prone to resonance because their shaft behaves like a cantilevered reed, making the reed critical frequency (RCF) the first natural bending mode. When operating speeds, especially with variable frequency drives, intersect this frequency, vibration amplitudes can surge,...
Human-Machine Interfaces Redefine SCADA and Cloud Integration
Human‑machine interfaces (HMIs) have shifted from proprietary, real‑time screens to versatile edge devices that can log data, communicate via open Ethernet protocols, and push information to the cloud. The adoption of standards such as OPC UA and MQTT enables seamless...
Lubrizol Launches Tolerathane TPU for Implantable Medical Devices
Lubrizol has launched Tolerathane™ TPU, a medical‑grade thermoplastic polyurethane designed for implantable devices. The material offers superior resistance to oxidative and hydrolytic degradation while maintaining exceptional softness and mechanical resilience. It integrates with standard thermal processing, enabling thinner‑wall, miniaturized designs...
Forterro Defies European IT Spending Caution with Strong Cloud and AI-Driven Growth in 2025
Forterro posted €375 million in 2025 revenue, delivering double‑digit growth in sales, recurring revenue, and bookings despite a cautious European IT climate. Cloud bookings surged 30% year‑over‑year, pushing recurring revenue to 74% of total. Net revenue retention hit 114% and gross...
Press Release: ACS UK Wins Two New Contracts with Tier-One Airlines
Aircraft interiors specialist ACS UK has secured two contracts with tier‑one global airlines to design and manufacture bespoke monuments for wide‑body aircraft, with deliveries slated for 2027. The deals were signed only months after the company reopened its order book,...
Recovery of the 737 Program Is Unglamorous and Arduous: Boeing Exec
Boeing’s 737 program, still emerging from a six‑year safety and production crisis, is now outputting 42 aircraft per month. The company plans incremental rate increases, targeting 52 and eventually 63 jets monthly by activating a new North Line at the...
Re-Engineering Construction Flow with Takt
In this episode, host Aarni Heiskanen interviews Aleksi Heinonen, a Finnish operations‑management consultant and lean‑construction thought leader, about the rise of Takt production in Finland’s building industry. Heinonen explains how defining a firm Takt time—sometimes years before ground‑break—revolutionized scheduling, logistics,...
CSG and Aselsan Form EU-Based Joint Ventures to Unveil the Korkut Air Defense System
Czech defence group CSG and Turkey’s Aselsan signed a joint venture on 4 February 2026 to produce the Korkut short‑range air‑defence system in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The partnership relocates manufacturing and integration to EU facilities, ensuring compliance with NATO...
What Does Malaysia’s Complete Ban on E-Waste Imports Mean for Battery, Aluminium, Copper Recyclers?
Malaysia upgraded its e‑waste import prohibition from a conditional to an absolute ban, ending all shipments of end‑of‑life batteries and related waste. The move creates immediate supply uncertainty for battery recyclers that rely on imported black mass, likely driving up...
Industrial and Medical AI Drive Real Profits, Not Hype
Flashy AI tools make headlines, but industrial or medical AI often generates the real profits. https://t.co/phSUIEUOy5
TE Connectivity Snap-On Markers From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect announced it now stocks TE Connectivity Snap‑on markers, a C‑profile wire labeling solution that can be applied to already‑terminated conductors. Each marker is pre‑printed with a single character and comes on an applicator that prevents over‑expansion. The tags fit wire...
Natural Cleaner Manufacturer Cuts Delivery Times with Smarter Planning
The episode follows Ymani Efunyale, founder of Good Vibes Clean, who created a natural cleaning product after her toddler suffered an asthma attack from conventional cleaners. She discusses how she scaled her business to ship nationwide and dramatically reduced delivery...
Sweden’s IPercept Secures Large-Scale Gulf Rollout with Quant Gulf
Sweden‑based industrial AI firm IPercept has inked a partnership with Quant Gulf to roll out its CNC machine intelligence platform across the Gulf region. The deal, valued at up to €10 million, will see the patented diagnostics and universal data layer...
The Mineral Imperative: How and Why China Became a Metals and Minerals Superpower
The episode traces how China transformed from a post‑1949 poverty-stricken nation into the world’s dominant metals and minerals superpower through a deliberate, century‑long strategy that placed mining, processing, and heavy industry at the core of national sovereignty. It outlines three...
ARC Forum Day Two: Why Supply Chain Coordination Matters More Than Optimization
Day two of the ARC Forum highlighted that supply‑chain success now hinges on coordination rather than isolated optimization. While many firms have fine‑tuned transportation routes, inventory targets, and production schedules, overall performance remains erratic. Participants observed that decisions that look...
Human-Centered Warehouse Automation at EssilorLuxottica
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Naveen Chandra, Director of Distribution at EssilorLuxottica, about the company’s human‑centered approach to warehouse automation across its vast, high‑SKU network. Chandra explains how they balance advanced forecasting, slotting, and real‑time operational control with a...
Forecast: Tariff Policies Will Weaken Container Imports in First Half of 2026
The NRF and Hackett Associates’ Global Port Tracker predicts U.S. container imports will fall in the first half of 2026, with a 2 percent year‑over‑year decline to 12.27 million TEUs. Full‑year volume is projected at 25.4 million TEUs, a 0.4 percent drop from 2024....
Alibaba's RynnBrain Positions China to Lead Robotics AI
Will China be competitive in robotics and physical AI? It sure appears that way. RynnBrain is Alibaba’s foundational AI model designed specifically for embodied intelligence—the field of AI that powers robots to interact with the physical world. Developed by Alibaba’s DAMO Academy,...
Issue 58, 2026
AutomationDirect’s Issue 58 (2026) spotlights how artificial intelligence is poised to deliver tangible ROI on plant floors, with expert Bill Makley outlining five growth avenues. The issue also promotes headless HMIs as a flexible, cost‑effective alternative to traditional panel‑mounted interfaces. Additional focus...
Attabotics Technology Revives as Part of LaFayette Systems
Attabotics, the robotic cube‑storage specialist, is restarting operations after its September 2025 acquisition by LaFayette Systems. The privately held LaFayette group will provide a stable financial base and engineering expertise, allowing Attabotics to retain its Calgary engineering, business, and manufacturing...
Five Ways AI Will Grow ROI on Plant Floors in 2026
AI adoption on the plant floor is accelerating in 2026 as edge processors, standardized data pipelines, and emerging governance frameworks remove long‑standing barriers. Manufacturers can now run deep‑learning models locally, achieve millisecond decision times, and integrate clean, contextual data via...
Baxter Cuts Roughly 90 Jobs at IV Solutions Plant that Recovered From Hurricane Helene
Baxter International announced it is cutting roughly 90 positions at its Marion, North Carolina IV solutions plant, representing about 3% of the site’s workforce. The facility, which supplies roughly 60% of U.S. IV fluids, recovered from Hurricane Helene damage but...
Oracle Expands Cloud SCM Capabilities to Address Complex Needs of Process Manufacturers
Oracle announced new capabilities in its Fusion Cloud SCM suite tailored for process manufacturers. The updates introduce AI‑assisted recipe synchronization, dynamic batch sizing, and granular yield modeling to handle blending, mixing, and batch‑based production. Enhanced traceability features include lot‑specific unit‑of‑measure...
The Seven Elements of a Successful Backhaul Program
Successful backhaul programs capture freight on a truck’s return leg, turning empty miles into revenue. By leveraging real‑time data, optimization algorithms and cross‑company collaboration, carriers can cut costs, reduce risk and lower carbon emissions. Penske Logistics outlines seven essential elements—network...
Engineers Develop Soft Robotic Exoskeleton That Cuts Muscle Strain by 22%
University of Texas at Arlington engineers unveiled the Pneumatically Actuated Soft Elbow Exoskeleton (PASE), a lightweight silicone‑based wearable that cuts elbow muscle activity by 22% during typical industrial tasks. Tests with 19 participants showed an 8‑10 point reduction in perceived...
Shipbuilding: Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute Brings the Free-Market Viewpoint
In this episode, host Jim Vinoski talks with Cato Institute senior fellow Colin Grabow about the chronic shortcomings of U.S. shipbuilding, focusing on the Jones Act’s distortion of market incentives. Grabow argues that the Act’s requirement for domestically built vessels...
ARC Forum Day One: Why Assisted Supply Chain Operations Are Reaching Their Limits
Day one of the ARC Forum highlighted that assisted supply chain operations, while delivering improved visibility and faster alerts, are hitting practical limits. Decision support tools generate actionable insights, yet translating them into coordinated actions remains slow due to functional...
Read the January/February 2026 Issue of Plant Engineering
Plant Engineering released its January/February 2026 issue, spotlighting a range of industrial topics from lighting selection and LED safety benefits to AI‑driven automation platforms. The issue also tackles workforce salary challenges, electrical trends, OSHA/NFPA 70E alignment, harmonic mitigation for VFDs,...
OT Attacks Get Scary With 'Living-Off-the-Plant' Techniques
Operational technology (OT) cyberattacks have so far been limited by attackers' lack of deep process knowledge, but experts warn that a shift toward "living‑off‑the‑plant" techniques could enable more damaging exploits. Recent ransomware spillovers into OT and incidents like the Norway...
How Small Incidents Can Ripple Through the Supply Chain
Even minor incidents can trigger a rock‑in‑a‑pond effect that reverberates through global supply chains, as illustrated by the 2021 Ever Given blockage that stalled $9.6 billion of goods daily. A recent study shows 52 % of companies lose more than a month...
Nvidia Releases DreamDojo, a Robot ‘World Model’ Trained on 44,000 Hours of Human Video
Nvidia unveiled DreamDojo, a robot world model trained on a 44,000‑hour human egocentric video dataset, enabling robots to acquire physical intuition by observation before hardware‑specific fine‑tuning. The DreamDojo‑HV dataset is 15× longer, contains 96× more skills and spans 2,000× more...