Reengineering the Future of Process Industries with Automation
Process manufacturers are moving from piecemeal upgrades to AI‑led, scalable automation to tackle market volatility, aging control systems, and a looming skills shortage. Technologies such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, and real‑time asset health monitoring are being deployed to boost uptime, quality, and throughput. Companies are also adopting integrated one‑stop engineering models that combine mechanical, electrical, controls, and digital services for rapid, multi‑site rollouts. The shift promises measurable gains in margins and faster time‑to‑market as AI becomes the multiplier across plant operations.
China’s Smart Clusters Raise EU Textile Sector Stakes
A new study warns that China’s rapidly expanding smart‑factory clusters are outpacing Europe’s textile machinery sector. European suppliers must evolve into system architects that deliver fully integrated, digitally managed production lines by 2035 or risk becoming peripheral sub‑suppliers. The report...
Australian Project to Develop Smart Composite Surfboard Fins Against Shark Attack Rise
Australian researchers, backed by the ACM CRC and led by Gowing Bros, UNSW and the University of Wollongong, are creating smart composite surfboard fins that embed sensors, electromagnetic shark‑deterrent systems and illumination while preserving hydrodynamic performance. The project aims to...
Norck Introduces Network-Driven U.S. Manufacturing Model to Eliminate Supply Chain Bottlenecks and Accelerate High-Precision Production
Norck, a precision CNC machining firm, launched a network‑driven manufacturing model that pairs U.S. engineering oversight with a global production network. The approach promises up to 30% shorter lead times and eliminates single‑source bottlenecks through capacity redundancy. By keeping design,...
How Cargo Theft Is Changing in 2026
Cargo theft losses surged 60% in 2025, reaching an estimated $725 million, while confirmed incidents rose 18% to 2,646 cases. Thieves are now deploying “Trojan horse” drivers who infiltrate vetted carriers and using sophisticated email hacks to execute double‑brokering scams. The...
Canada March PPI +2.4% M/M vs +1.9% Expected
Canada’s March industrial producer price index (IPPI) rose 2.4% month‑over‑month, outpacing the 1.9% consensus. The raw‑materials price index (RMPI) jumped a staggering 12.0% m/m, far exceeding the 0.6% rise recorded in February. Year‑over‑year, the IPPI was up 7.8% while the...
Now Antwerp-Bruges Reports Reduced Q1 Container Throughput
Antwerp‑Bruges reported a 2.6% drop in first‑quarter container throughput, handling 3.4 million TEU, after severe weather and a four‑day strike cost the port roughly 100,000 TEU. Rotterdam, its main rival, posted a modest 0.3% increase to 3.37 million TEU, briefly reclaiming Europe’s...
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Insight Works, a top provider of warehouse and shipping tools for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, announced the launch of Dynamic Ship 2.9. The update introduces a suite of new features that let users manage outbound and inbound shipping directly...
ROBOZE Announced as Lead of Italian Armed Forces R&D Project
ROBOZE has been appointed lead of the DIANA R&D project for the Italian Armed Forces and Navy, aiming to overhaul spare parts management through digitalisation and distributed manufacturing. The initiative, co‑funded by Italy’s Ministry of Defence under the National Military...
Reds10 Lands £22.5m Modular School Job in Leicestershire
Reds10 secured a £22.5 million (≈$28.5 million) contract to deliver a 103‑module STEAM school in Leicestershire, with about 87% of the building prefabricated at its Driffield facility. Site preparation is under way, factory production will start later this year and modules are...
Linearly Variable Two-Wire Loop Current Generator
A new two‑wire loop current generator delivers a linearly adjustable 0.5 mA to 23.5 mA signal, directly proportional to a multiturn potentiometer voltage. The design handles source or sink loads up to 500 Ω without recalibration and includes a 30 mA safety limit. By using an...
Smart Factories Are Here — but Is Your Team Ready to Use Them?
Since Industry 4.0, manufacturers have layered IIoT sensors, AI, cloud and big‑data analytics to build smart factories. Gartner notes 49% of firms still lack confidence in their manufacturing strategy, while IDC projects 40% of operational data will be autonomously integrated across...
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Seeks Investment in Mineral Value Addition After Raw Export Ban
Zimbabwe’s cabinet has imposed a ban on raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports, signaling a pivot toward domestic processing and refining. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga urged private‑sector investment to build processing plants, expand steel capacity, and develop renewable energy projects....
AMGTA Releases Independent Report Establishing How AM Should Be Evaluated Across Part, System & Enterprise Levels
The Additive Manufacturing Governance and Trade Association (AMGTA) has published an independent report, Additive Manufacturing in Resource‑Efficient Manufacturing Systems, that proposes a three‑tier evaluation framework—part, system and enterprise—to assess AM’s true value. Drawing on six years of observation across technology developers...
A Comprehensive Guide to Belt Conveyor Systems: Types & Functions
Robson Handling Technology outlines a comprehensive guide to belt conveyor systems, detailing five primary types—flat, troughed, modular, curved, and high‑capacity bulk‑handling conveyors—and their optimal applications across manufacturing, logistics, mining, and food processing. The guide highlights key benefits such as consistent...
Musk Bets Tesla's AI Future on Intel Node that Isn't Finished Yet
Elon Musk announced that Tesla will build its next‑generation AI chips using Intel’s not‑yet‑finished 14A process as part of a new "Terafab" manufacturing push. The strategy aims to secure a proprietary silicon supply for autonomous‑driving workloads, sidestepping potential shortages from...
Fujitsu and Carnegie Mellon University Launch Joint Center for Physical AI
Fujitsu and Carnegie Mellon University have launched a joint Physical AI Research Center to accelerate AI deployment in real‑world settings such as manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. The center will combine CMU’s Robotics Innovation Center resources with Fujitsu’s engineering teams to...
“Africa Is the Next Industrial Growth Frontier” — AVEVA’s Jesus Hernandez on AI, Data, and Digital Transformation
AVEVA is positioning Africa as the next frontier for industrial growth, emphasizing the continent’s massive energy‑access gap and the need for digital infrastructure. Senior Vice President Jesus Hernandez highlighted AVEVA’s CONNECT cloud platform, which can be deployed in days to...
Cadence Expands TSMC Collaboration for AI Chip Design
Cadence announced an expanded partnership with TSMC to deliver AI‑ready IP, signoff‑ready design infrastructure, and certified end‑to‑end EDA flows for the foundry’s N3, N2, A16 and A14 processes. The collaboration adds DDR5, PCIe 6.0, LPDDR6/5X, and HBM4E IP to Cadence’s portfolio...
McGill Formula Electric Deploys AON3D Hylo 3D Printer to Support Formula SAE Electric Competition Efforts
McGill Formula Electric has integrated the AON3D Hylo 3D printer to produce custom, race‑ready components for its Formula SAE Electric car. Using ULTEM 9085 filament, the team printed a battery cell and PCB holder that meets stringent mechanical, thermal, and...
Pudu Robotics Raises Nearly USD $150M in New Funding, Exceeds $1.5B Valuation
Pudu Robotics announced a fresh financing round that brought in nearly $150 million, pushing its post‑money valuation above $1.5 billion. The injection lifts the company’s cumulative capital to more than $300 million and will fund accelerated embodied‑AI research, product diversification, and scaling of...
Airbus Completes First A350F Freighter Main Deck Cargo Door in Spain
Airbus has finished manufacturing the first main‑deck cargo door for its A350F freighter at the Illescas plant in Spain and shipped it to the final‑assembly line in Toulouse for integration into the inaugural test aircraft. The 4.5‑metre wide, 4.3‑metre tall...
Despite Structural Manufacturing Decline, Opportunities Abound – Panel
A panel of South African manufacturing leaders convened by Creamer Media highlighted that, despite a three‑decade structural decline, the sector can rebound through targeted infrastructure projects, energy market liberalisation, and decarbonisation. They argued that upcoming electricity transmission builds and a...
Rallying Support to Revitalize the SHIPS for America Act
The SHIPS for America Act was re‑introduced in the House and paired with a joint hearing on April 22 to discuss revitalizing the U.S. maritime industrial base. MARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel announced a suite of legislative proposals tied to the Maritime...
Robots on Demand: Why Robotics-as-a-Service on Its Own Won’t Solve Warehouse Automation
Warehouse operators are turning to robotics‑as‑a‑service (RaaS) and warehousing‑as‑a‑service (WaaS) to gain flexibility and avoid large upfront capital outlays amid volatile order volumes. A recent Dematic study shows that while subscription models can accelerate automation, they often become more expensive...
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Iran to Rebuild Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan Following Israeli Strikes
Iran's Ministry of Industry announced that the Mobarakeh Steel complex in Isfahan will be rebuilt on its original site after roughly 30% of the plant was destroyed in Israeli‑US air strikes that began on Feb. 28. Planning for design, financing and...
UK Industry Sees Business Situation at the Most Pessimistic Since the Covid Pandemic
UK manufacturers reported a modest PMI uptick in April, but the gain was driven mainly by firms front‑loading orders to build safety stocks ahead of expected price hikes and supply constraints. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed a sharp...
Tesla Plans $3 Billion Chip R&D Fab in Texas, Eyes Terafab Project
Tesla will invest about $3 billion to build a semiconductor research fab at its Giga Texas campus, producing a few thousand wafers per month for design testing. The pilot line serves as a stepping stone to a larger “Terafab” effort, with...
Hexagon, Schaeffler Expand AEON Robot Partnership
Hexagon Robotics and Schaeffler have expanded their strategic partnership to scale the AEON humanoid robot across global factories. After a successful joint pilot in 2025, Schaeffler plans to deploy at least 1,000 AEON units by 2032, using its high‑precision actuators....
How to Cut Parcel Damage in Automated Fulfillment
Automated fulfillment lines, projected to handle 85% of U.S. warehousing by 2030, are generating significant parcel damage due to high‑velocity vibrations and abrupt robot stops. The article recommends creating soft‑stop zones, calibrating sensor thresholds, and upgrading packaging to ISTA‑approved robotic...
Sharrow Engineering to Scale Production of Sharrow Propeller with 3D Sand-Casting in Partnership with Ford
Sharrow Engineering is partnering with Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Industrial Technology & Platforms team to scale production of its patented Sharrow Propeller using 3D sand‑casting. The new workflow slashes lead times from roughly 130 days with traditional investment casting to...
AbbVie Opts for North Carolina to House $1.4bn Manufacturing Site
AbbVie announced a $1.4 bn investment to build a new 185‑acre manufacturing campus in North Carolina, the largest single‑site spend in the company’s history. The facility will produce oncology, immunology and neuroscience therapies and incorporate AI‑driven advanced manufacturing technologies. Construction is...
HII Kicks Off Production of Four More ROMULUS USVs
Lockheed Martin’s Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the start of production for four additional ROMULUS 151 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) at its Breaux Brothers Enterprises shipyard in Louisiana, joining the first hull already under construction. The ROMULUS family is an...
GAC INTERNATIONAL and ALLUR Group Sign KD Production Industrial Cooperation Agreement to Advance Localized Production and Deepen Strategic Presence in...
GAC International and Kazakhstan’s Allur Group signed a KD production industrial cooperation agreement in Guangzhou, establishing a localized assembly line for GAC’s full model range in Kazakhstan. The partnership positions Kazakhstan as a strategic hub for GAC’s expansion across the...
Rising Cost Pressures Starting to Bug the Euro Area Economy
Euro‑area PMI data show a split in April: manufacturing held steady thanks to a surge in new orders, while services weakened amid softer demand and Middle‑East fallout. Input‑price inflation surged to a three‑year high, especially in Germany where firms are...
Firebird Battery Making Tech Gets $2M ARENA Grant
Firebird, an Australian battery‑technology startup, received a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to build a demonstration plant for its novel process that converts manganese ore directly into high‑purity manganese sulphate monohydrate, a key cathode precursor. By...
Hexcel Named Embraer Best Supplier of the Year for Second Consecutive Year
Hexcel Corporation received Embraer's Best Supplier award in the Standards & Materials category for the second consecutive year, highlighting its superior performance in quality, delivery, collaboration, and operational excellence. The award was presented at Embraer's annual Suppliers Conference in São José...
Russian Federal Passenger Company Signs USD 5 Billion Contract
Russia's Federal Passenger Company (FPC) has inked a $5.1 bn agreement with Tver Carriage Works (TVZ) to supply 2,700 passenger railcars by 2030, including 449 single‑deck coaches. TVZ will deliver 480 cars in 2026, leveraging recent plant upgrades. The contract deepens...
MacGregor Equipment Ordered for Ultra-Large Türkiye-Built CLVs
MacGregor secured a contract to supply offshore and merchant deck machinery, including high‑performance winches, for ultra‑large cable‑laying vessels being built at Turkey’s Tersan Shipyard. The order, booked in Q1 2026, targets delivery in 2027. The vessels are part of LS Marine...
Heavy Rain Threatens Hurricane Reconstruction as Cement Supplies Dwindle
Heavy rain following Hurricane Melissa has crippled Caribbean Cement Company Ltd, turning raw materials into mud and clogging feed bins. Production has been sharply reduced just as Jamaica rushes to rebuild homes and infrastructure. The company projects a return to...
Trelleborg Costa Rica Site Earns ISO 13485 Certification
Trelleborg Medical Solutions' Costa Rica manufacturing site earned ISO 13485:2016 certification, confirming its quality management for medical devices. The 107,600‑sq‑ft facility, opened in December 2025 in the Evolution Free Zone, is the company’s first Central American plant and supports nearshoring and supply‑chain...
First Graphene Successful Trial of Graphene Cement Roof Tiles
First Graphene Ltd completed a five‑month production trial with FP McCann, creating over 10,000 graphene‑enhanced roof tiles using 40 tonnes of specialised cement. The trial showed carbon emissions could drop up to 14% and cement volume shrink by as much as 8%...
Vossloh to Supply Equipment for a New Railway Line in Tanzania
Vossloh has secured a roughly €30 million (about $33 million) contract to provide switches and fastening systems for Tanzania’s new standard‑gauge railway. The deal covers Sections 3 (Makutupora–Tabora, 294 km) and 4 (Tabora–Isaka, 130 km), totaling 424 km of track. Vossloh will deliver around 130 switch sets...
LHM Transforms Botswana Mine House as FATs Due
LH Marthinusen (LHM), a division of Actom, has finished manufacturing two 30 MVA high‑voltage transformers for a mining house in Botswana. The delivery comes after the existing power infrastructure proved insufficient for the mine’s growing energy needs. LHM’s engineered transformers are...
Yasin Tekinarslan Named as Cimpor Africa CEO
Cimpor Africa announced Yasin Tekinarslan as its new chief executive officer. Tekinarslan, a 2017 hire, previously served as regional manager for concrete and aggregates and as country director in Côte d’Ivoire. The group highlighted his track record of delivering sustainable...
Irish Cement Sector Targets 90% Fossil Fuel Reduction Through SRF Use
Ireland’s cement producers aim to cut fossil fuel use by up to 90% over the next 15 years by scaling solid recovered fuel (SRF) in kiln operations. In 2024 the sector burned roughly 325,000 tonnes of SRF, representing about 22%...
CURA and TITAN Partner to Validate Low-Carbon Cement Technology
Canadian clean‑tech firm CURA Climate and Australia’s TITAN Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate CURA’s electro‑chemical limestone‑splitting technology for low‑carbon cement and lime. The collaboration will start with laboratory validation of materials, then move to technical and...
BLT Helps Develop OPPO Find N6 Hinge with Titanium 3D Printing
Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) partnered with OPPO to 3D‑print titanium hinge components for the Find N6 foldable phone, consolidating up to 13 machined parts into a single lightweight wing plate. The new hinge improves display flatness by 50% and passed 600,000...
Carsoe Unveils New Heading and Gutting Machine at Seafood Processing Global, Announces New Partnership with Industrikulde
Carsoe unveiled its new combined heading and gutting machine, the CS3063, at the Seafood Processing Global expo in Barcelona. The equipment, built on the long‑standing Mark 7 platform, targets cod, pollock and haddock and promises precision cuts that reduce meat loss....
Farsoon Advances Copper Alloy 3D Printing With Speed, Precision, and Scale
Farsoon Technologies unveiled new copper‑alloy 3D‑printing platforms that combine high‑speed beam optimization with micron‑level precision. The FS273M achieves up to 42 cm³/h build rates at 80 µm layers and 99.5% part density, while its 55 µm laser spot delivers 0.2 mm feature resolution. The...