Calif. Bill Would Require Certification for Stone Fabrication Shops
California lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 2137 to create a statewide certification system for shops that fabricate engineered stone, granite, marble and similar slab materials. The bill directs Cal/OSHA to develop an application process, with certifications issued for three years beginning Jan. 1, 2028, and prohibits non‑certified fabrication after July 1, 2028. It also obligates suppliers and contractors to confirm certification and earmarks collected fees for a new Slab Fabrication Activity Account to fund enforcement. The legislation will track citations and silicosis cases to improve worker safety.
BlueWind Invests US$4.4 Million to Accelerate Growth and Build New Headquarters
BlueWind, a Florida‑based composite manufacturer, announced a US$4.4 million investment to acquire a 10‑acre site and install new production equipment, including a $1.2 million CNC machine. The funds will also finance a new headquarters that will consolidate its current 93,000‑sq‑ft footprint into...
Amerequip Transforms 100 Years of Engineering Data Into Actionable Intelligence with CADDi AI Data Platform
Amerequip has deployed CADDi Drawer, an AI‑powered data platform, to consolidate a century‑old library of engineering drawings, specifications, and part numbers into a single searchable environment. The new workflow replaces a cumbersome multi‑system process with instant, cross‑referenced results, cutting search time...
Coats Eyes 2026 as a ‘Pivotal Year’
Coats, the UK‑based apparel and footwear components supplier, released its 2025 sustainability report and announced that it has already met several 2026 targets. The company cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% since 2022 and shifted 52% of raw materials to...
Ghana Eyes 3D Printing for Its Next Fleet of Vessels
Ghana’s Maritime Authority is evaluating a proposal from Nigerian firm RusselSmith to establish a 3D‑printing plant capable of producing 12‑metre vessels on Ghanaian soil. The initiative aims to replace the aging wooden fleet, cut deforestation, and lower maintenance costs by...
Työvene to Build SWATH-Based Transfer Vessel for German Navy
Finnish shipbuilder Uudenkaupungin Työvene secured a contract from Germany’s BAAINBw to design and build a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) personnel transfer vessel for the German Navy. The 60‑person capacity craft will operate from Neustadt in Holstein, ferrying crew...
International Paper to Build $225M Box Plant in Mississippi
International Paper announced a $225 million investment to build a 468,000‑square‑foot greenfield box plant in Brandon, Mississippi. The facility will target an annual output of 1.8 billion square feet of packaging and is slated to begin construction in June with operations commencing...
Scientists ‘Crack’ PFAS-Free Waterproof Challenge
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled a single‑step durable water‑repellent (DWR) treatment that deposits a fluorine‑free silica shell directly onto individual yarns. The process creates a covalently bonded, superhydrophobic coating that retains breathability and mechanical resilience even...
Order Fulfillment Worksheet v1.6 Update: Faster Daily Fulfillment in Business Central
Insight Works released Order Fulfillment Worksheet version 1.6 for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, adding usability upgrades such as default view management, cleaner filter formatting, and dynamic date placeholders. The tool helps warehouse teams instantly identify shippable orders by scanning sales...
Tanker Bound for Cuba with Fuel Cargo Diverts to Trinidad
The Hong Kong‑flagged tanker Sea Horse, loaded with Russian diesel originally bound for Cuba, has diverted to Trinidad and is expected to arrive on Monday. The change follows a U.S. Treasury decision to tighten a waiver, now excluding sales to...
HyperDock Simulator Combines Vehicle Dynamics with NVH
VI‑grade unveiled its HyperDock cockpit at Multimatic’s Vehicle Dynamics Center in Novi, Michigan, marking the first North American deployment of the full‑spectrum simulator. The system adds high‑frequency vibration and noise (NVH) reproduction to existing motion platforms, covering a 0‑20,000 Hz bandwidth....
Cat 253 Compact Track Loader Targets Dirt Work
Caterpillar introduced the 253 compact track loader, weighing 8,893 lb with a 2,023 lb rated capacity, aimed at earth‑moving and loading tasks. The machine blends legacy D3 architecture with a next‑gen single‑piece undercarriage supported by four rigid axles, enhancing traction and grading...
Philippines Pitched as EV Manufacturing Hub for Chinese Firms
At the China International New Energy Vehicle exhibition, Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz invited Chinese EV firms to set up manufacturing in the Philippines. He highlighted a 67% surge in EV sales to 5,701 units in the January‑February period, a skilled...
Jinko, LONGi, Tongwei and Aiko Secure Solar Module Orders Exceeding 4.6GW in March
Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers JinkoSolar, LONGi Green, Tongwei and Aiko booked more than 4.67 GW of overseas module orders in March. Europe accounted for 51.1 % of the volume, Australia 42.5 %, with the remainder split across Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East. JinkoSolar led...
FedEx Hails Most Profitable Peak Season Ever Amid Network 2.0 Shift
FedEx reported its most profitable holiday peak season as it accelerated the rollout of Network 2.0, with about 35% of eligible shipments now processed through nearly 400 optimized facilities. The carrier improved on‑time delivery to 95.3% in December 2025 and saw...
Could the Dyson Case Open a New Route to Justice for Garment Workers?
Dyson settled a negligence claim brought by 24 trafficked workers who laboured in a Malaysian factory, after English courts allowed the case to be heard in the UK rather than Malaysia. The ruling establishes that a UK‑based company can be...
Laser Tech Investment Builds up Web Industries’ Denton Production Capacity
Web Industries Inc. is installing high‑precision laser cutting equipment at its Denton, Texas plant, dramatically increasing throughput for flexible composite materials. The upgrade targets fast‑paced markets such as consumer goods, technical textiles, aeronautics and space, delivering Tier 1 quality and reduced...
Composites Sustainability Wins: ISO 14001 Certification, Platinum EcoVadis Rating, Emissions Reports
Exel Composites earned ISO 14001 certification for its Erlanger, Kentucky plant, cementing its environmental management system across waste and energy initiatives. Polestar disclosed the full cradle‑to‑gate carbon footprint of the Polestar 5, highlighting recycled aluminum and renewable‑powered production that cut emissions...
SANY Signs Major Electrified Fleet Deal with Holcim Including 20 Autonomous Mining Trucks
SANY Group and Holcim have signed a Letter of Intent worth 100 million CHF to roll out electrified construction equipment over the next five years. The deal includes delivery of 100 electric units and deployment of 20 autonomous mining trucks across...
Kuka Expands KR Cybertech Range with New Mid-Payload Robots and Controller
Kuka has added two mid‑payload robots to its KR Cybertech line, offering 25 kg and 35 kg capacities while keeping the same compact footprint. The models feature a redesigned IP67‑rated wrist for higher rigidity and precision, and both are AI‑ready and ISO 10218:2025 compliant....
‘Physical AI’ Is Transforming Warehouse Operations Beyond Traditional Visibility
Physical AI equips drones, forklifts and other moving assets with cameras and computer‑vision models to continuously digitize warehouse inventory, eliminating manual barcode scans. The approach is hardware‑agnostic, leveraging off‑the‑shelf equipment to keep capital costs low and enable deployment in extreme...
Another Sodium-Ion EV Battery Breakthrough Emerges in China with 4C Fast Charging in 11 Mins
China’s BAIC Group announced a prototype sodium‑ion EV battery that delivers over 170 Wh/kg energy density and can be recharged at 4C rates, reaching a full charge in roughly 11 minutes. The prismatic pack operates across a –40 °C to 60 °C temperature...
Six Signals From The Factory Floor About Where Manufacturing Is Headed
A MAGNET survey of nearly 300 Ohio manufacturers reveals six emerging signals shaping U.S. production. Revenue growth has cooled—only 48% reported gains—yet 70% still plan to increase headcount, reflecting a desire to avoid past lean‑cycle pitfalls. Economic uncertainty now tops...
Royal3D’s Interlayer Control System Targets Industrial 3D Print Quality
Royal3D has introduced the Interlayer Control System (ICS), a thermal monitoring solution that tracks nozzle temperature across XYZ coordinates in real time for industrial 3D printers. Using a 160 × 140 pixel infrared camera, the system logs interlayer temperatures, allowing operators to spot...
SBM Offshore Interview: Advancing Future-Ready FPSOs Through Standardization, Robotics, AI and Lower‑carbon Solutions
SBM Offshore’s COO Alex Glenn detailed the Fast4Ward program, which shifts the company from bespoke FPSO designs to a standardized, modular, data‑driven model. The initiative introduces pre‑engineered hulls and topside modules, cutting delivery schedules by up to a year and...
Tesla (TSLA) Reportedly in Talks to Buy $2.9B in Chinese Solar Equipment for 100 GW US Push
Tesla is negotiating a $2.9 billion purchase of solar‑manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers to support its goal of building 100 GW of solar capacity in the United States. The deal centers on Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, with shipments expected to arrive in Texas...
Industrial Diesel Hiked by 25%: Textile Industry Faces Rising Input Costs
Indian Oil Corporation raised the price of industrial diesel to Rs 109.59 per litre, a 25% increase effective 20 March 2026. The hike targets bulk consumers such as factories, where diesel fuels captive power plants and heat‑intensive processes. The textile sector, which relies...
Daimler Truck to Deliver First MCS-Enabled eActros 600 Units Soon
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks will begin customer trials of megawatt‑charging‑system (MCS) enabled eActros 600 trucks in the second half of 2024, deploying them in its own inbound‑logistics operations. The eActros 600, produced since November 2024, is the sole model in the lineup with an...
Hurdles in Persian Gulf Test Carriers Moving Stranded Asian Cargo From India
Container lines are scrambling to move 40,000‑50,000 TEUs that have been temporarily stored at Indian ports toward the Middle East. Nhava Sheva alone has discharged roughly 25,000 TEUs, creating a bottleneck as carriers seek shuttle capacity at Gulf gateways. Alternative...
LPG-Dependent Operations Halted at IFGL Refractories’ Kandla Plant in Gujarat
IFGL Refractories Ltd. has temporarily halted LPG‑dependent operations at its Kandla plant in Gujarat after the Indian government ordered oil‑marketing companies to prioritize domestic LPG supplies amid a Middle‑East conflict‑driven shortage. The stoppage affects high‑temperature kiln and heat‑treatment processes, but...
Lockheed Martin Signs All Industrial Projects for Czech F-35 Programme
Lockheed Martin has signed off on all eleven industrial cooperation projects tied to the Czech Republic’s F‑35 Lightning II programme, including a partnership with Ray Service to manufacture wire harnesses domestically. The Czech government plans to purchase 24 F‑35A fighters,...
Bosch Presents Electric Powertrain for Heavy-Duty Trucks and Off-Highway Machiner
Bosch Engineering unveiled an 800‑volt electric powertrain at LogiMAT 2026, targeting heavy‑duty intralogistics equipment such as forklifts, truck tractors and port transporters. The SMG230 motor delivers 188 kW continuous power and up to 550 Nm peak torque, while a silicon‑carbide inverter pushes...
Lyten to Establish a Lyten Industrial Hub in Poland
Lyten announced plans to evaluate a new industrial hub in Gdańsk, Poland, with a feasibility study scheduled for 2026. The hub would combine the company’s advanced battery‑energy‑storage manufacturing with AI‑powered data centre capacity, mirroring its recently launched Swedish site. Lyten’s...
Damen Launches Tenth Island Class Ferry for BC Ferries
At Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, the tenth Island Class ferry for BC Ferries was launched, completing a four‑vessel order and bringing the total to ten vessels in the class. The new ship, Island K ‘asa, adds roughly 200 vehicle...
Ryanair Opens Biggest In-House MRO at Madrid Barajas, Spain
Ryanair has inaugurated its biggest in‑house maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at Madrid‑Barajas Airport, marking the airline’s largest dedicated facility to date. The new hub consolidates maintenance for its Boeing 737‑800 fleet, allowing Ryanair to perform more work internally...
Air Cargo Backlogs Build as Mid East Disruption Cuts Capacity and Scrambles Networks
Air cargo backlogs are mounting as Middle East airspace closures have stripped roughly 20% of global air‑freight capacity, equivalent to over 500,000 tonnes. Qatar Airways Cargo has resumed limited freighter services under a temporary authorisation, while other regional carriers operate...
Danantara Secures US$1.4 Billion to Build PV Module Assembly Plant in Indonesia
Indonesia’s sovereign investment agency Danantara has secured US$1.4 billion to build a domestic PV‑module assembly plant, slated for completion by the end of 2026. The funding underpins the government’s goal of adding 50 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 and ultimately 100 GW...
3D Scanning Just Got More Affordable. Here Is What That Means for Your Work.
Revopoint has launched a Spring Sale offering 15% off its entire 3D scanner lineup, with additional codes for up to 2% extra on its website or 5% on Amazon. Prices now start at $467 for the Inspire 2, $1,028 for the...
BorgWarner Secures Its First 48V Electric Cross Differential Order in China
BorgWarner announced it has secured its first 48‑volt electric cross‑differential (eXD) program with a Chinese OEM, marking the debut of the technology in its global portfolio. The eXD integrates with the vehicle’s 48 V electrical architecture to dynamically manage torque between...
West Asia Conflict Drives Surge in Raw Material Costs, Squeezing Textile Units in TN’s Perambalur
Textile manufacturers in Perambalur, Tamil Nadu are grappling with sharply higher raw‑material costs as the West Asia conflict disrupts oil supplies and shipping routes. Polyester fibre prices have risen about Rs 40 per kilogram, while freight rates have jumped 20‑30 %, squeezing profit...
Cyngn Brings Autonomous Forklift Models Into Isaac Sim
Cyngn announced that its high‑fidelity autonomous forklift models are now integrated into NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim, an open‑source simulation platform for autonomous systems. The models, exported as Functional Mock‑up Units, exchange two‑way data with Isaac Sim’s virtual surfaces, mirroring real‑world dynamics....
US Shippers Back Rail Access Shake-Up as Merger Fears Grow
The Surface Transportation Board has issued a proposal to repeal Federal Rule 49 CFR Part 1144, which currently restricts reciprocal switching for shippers seeking alternative rail service. The change is backed by major shipper groups, the American Chemistry Council, and...
Hanin’s Unveils New 3D Printing Lineup with Elastomer and SJF Systems at TCT Asia
Chinese 3D‑printing firm Hanin introduced two new systems at TCT Asia 2026. The LCD‑L298 is a commercial‑grade elastomer printer that uses a COB light source and Fresnel lens to deliver uniform exposure across a 294 × 160 × 400 mm build volume. The industrial‑grade SJF‑P380 employs...
China Scales Shoucell to Step up Race for Sustainable Cellulose
China has begun commercial production of Shoucell, a next‑generation regenerated cellulose fiber aimed at reducing textile pollution. The fiber employs a closed‑loop process that lowers water consumption and chemical waste compared with traditional viscose. Shoucell’s launch dovetails with Beijing’s green...
Posco, Molten to Collaborate on Graphite Production for Battery Anodes
Posco Future M and U.S. start‑up Molten Industries have signed an agreement to produce high‑purity graphite for battery anodes using methane‑derived pyrolysis. Molten’s process splits methane into hydrogen and graphite via resistive heating, and a pilot plant already operates in...
How Automation Is Transforming Remanufacturing
Manufacturers are shifting from pure production to extending product lifecycles through automated remanufacturing. Rising e‑waste, raw‑material costs and supply‑chain volatility are driving this change, with remanufactured components offering 40%‑80% cost savings while matching performance. Advances in AI, machine vision, force‑sensitive...
Warwick Secures Funding to Boost UK Wide-Bandgap Power Semiconductor Reliability Testing
The University of Warwick has secured funding to acquire a wide‑bandgap (WBG) dynamic reliability tester from ipTEST Ltd, bolstering the UK’s capacity to evaluate SiC and GaN power semiconductors. The equipment will feed the nation’s first comprehensive reliability database, supporting...
Stationery Major Luxor Launches Crayola in India
Crayola has partnered with Indian stationery leader Luxor Writing Instruments to invest roughly Rs 400 crore over the next five years, establishing India as a key manufacturing and sourcing hub for its global art‑supply portfolio. The move follows a strategic shift to...
Nebius Teams with Nvidia to Build Cloud for Robotics and Physical AI
Nebius, an AI‑focused cloud provider, has teamed up with Nvidia to launch a managed platform that spans the entire physical‑AI lifecycle—from large‑scale GPU training and physics‑accurate simulation to edge inference. The solution leverages Nvidia’s Physical AI Data Factory Blueprint, OSMO...
Govt Floats RFP to Select Beneficiaries for Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has issued a request for proposal to select beneficiaries for integrated sintered NdFeB rare‑earth permanent magnet plants, targeting a total capacity of 6,000 MTPA. Each awardee will receive between 600 MTPA and 1,200 MTPA, a capital subsidy of...