Today in Manufacturing

Hosted by David Mantey, Jeff Reinke, Anna Wells

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280

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Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Today in Manufacturing is hosted by David Mantey, Anna Wells and Jeff Reinke, the editors from some of the most recognized websites and publications in the manufacturing industry, including Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). Every week, we discuss the biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward.

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August 17, 20261 hr 4 min

Yamaha Cuts Production; SpaceX's Terafab in Texas; GM Ends Samsung Venture | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 281

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). Sponsor: Is Your Manufacturing SMB Ready for the Digital Revolution? SMBs need to understand where their priorities lie. For about ten years, there has been a major push for businesses to get on board with an evolving slate of digital tools, and for good reason: according to KPMG, 59% of businesses who undertook digital transformation strategies saw profits grow by 11% or more. But as we know, not all manufacturing businesses are created alike. Many experts point to the need for small and medium sized manufacturing businesses to look carefully at the unique requirements necessary for success. In this new whitepaper recap , IEN Editors David Mantey and Anna Wells help manufacturing SMBs understand where their priorities should lie when assessing the best path towards a digital transformation win. Watch the recap right now. https://www.ien.com/formstack/is_your_manufacturing_smb_ready_for_the_digital_revolution_?utm_source=podcast Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: GM Exits Joint Venture for $3.5B EV Battery Plant https://www.ien.com/22972203 Samsung SDI recently acquired General Motors’ stake in the SynergyCells joint venture. SpaceX Picks Texas Home for Massive, Multi-Billion-Dollar Terafab https://www.ien.com/22972037 Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Tesla and SpaceX announced that Grimes County will be the site of Terafab, a massive vertically-integrated semiconductor fabrication plant. Yamaha to End U.S. Side-by-Side Production https://www.ien.com/22971933 Yamaha Motor recently announced some major structural reforms to its outdoor land vehicle (OLV) business, which includes ATVs, ROVs and golf cars. In Case You Missed It Kimberly-Clark Picks Arizona for $100M Pilot Project https://www.ien.com/22972026 This low-water plant could be transformative. Milwaukee Tool Thief Gets 5 Years https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22972080/milwaukee-tool-thief-gets-5-years Last year, an employee at Milwaukee Tool was arrested for stealing more than $1 million in tools from the Wisconsin tool maker. Small Implant Can Deliver Cancer-targeting Light Directly Inside the Body https://www.medicaldesigndevelopment.com/22972364 It could make photodynamic therapy more effective against internal cancers. #Manufacturing #ManufacturingNews #TodayInManufacturing #ManufacturingPodcast #EV #ElectricVehicles #Semiconductors #ChipManufacturing #SpaceX #Tesla #SupplyChain #AmericanManufacturing #FactoryNews

August 10, 2026Episode 2801 hr 5 min

Rotted Fish Sauce Removed; Magellan's Odd Bankruptcy; Pearson's Closes Candy Factory | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 280

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). Have you ever tried changing your tires at 100 MPH? This week's episode is brought to you by Epicor and a new podcast about how to win a manufacturing race that never stops. Pressured by constant disruption, workforce challenges, and increasing operational complexity, manufacturing frontlines must operate like a Formula 1 pit crew to win — moving with speed, precision, and consistency. In this new podcast , Epicor’s Thom Smith offers practical strategies and real examples of how high performers persevere through intense change and competition. Watch and listen to "Changing Tires at 100 MPH" right now . Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - 117-Year-Old Candy Company to Shutter Factory - Ohio Aerospace Plant Files for Bankruptcy - Rotten Fish Sauce That Has Long Stunk Up a Small Canadian Town Is Finally Being Removed In Case You Missed It - The Passwords Most Likely to be Breached - John Deere, UAW ‘Half a Billion Dollars’ Apart in Contract Extension Clash - The Tesla Salvage Boom: What Happens to High-Tech Cars After a Total Loss Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

August 3, 2026Episode 2791 hr 2 min

Ford's Snack Firings; Mars Closes NJ Hub; Cheesemaker Saves Plant | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 279

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite . For many businesses today, waiting to modernize your ERP may seem like the safe choice—but hidden costs can quickly add up. Every delay brings more inefficiencies and missed opportunities for innovation, while competitors who modernize gain an ever-growing advantage. In this guide, you’ll discover: The real price of waiting: How outdated systems lead to hidden costs and limit your growth potential. The risk of falling behind: What’s lost by delaying ERP modernization, and how early adopters gain a competitive edge. The modern ERP advantage: How NetSuite’s AI-powered features streamline operations and enable smarter, faster business decisions. Download, " The Hidden Costs of Standing Still, " to learn how timely ERP modernization drives faster growth, sharper insights, and long-term competitive success. Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - Seattle Cheesemaker Looks to Save Shuttered Wisconsin Facility - Mars to Shutter U.S. Headquarters, Cut Over 300 Jobs - Ford Plant Workers Fired for Alleged Snack Theft In Case You Missed It - Ford Helps Establish Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades - U.S. Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots - 400-Year-Old Bell Foundry Adds Modern Tech to Keep Casting Process Alive Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

July 27, 2026Episode 2781 hr 8 min

Invisible Drone Vanishes; Ammo Factory Fails; New Balance's Plans | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 278

Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: New Balance May Donate Shuttered Factory to the Town it Vacated About two years ago, New Balance announced plans to close its plant in Norridgewock, Maine. The move surprised pretty much everyone because the shoemaker is known for its U.S.-based manufacturing footprint. Ammo Factory Fails to Produce Any Shells After $469M Army Investment After sending many, many shells to Ukraine, the Army tasked General Dynamics and its existing ammunition plant in Mesquite, Texas, with manufacturing 30,000 M795 High Explosive 155 mm shells each month by October 2025. But a new report said the plant hasn't produced a single shell in two years of operation. Northwestern Engineers Made a ‘Phantom’ Drone That Vanishes in Plain Sight Engineers at Northwestern University have created a drone that appears to vanish in plain sight after it takes flight. The Phantom Twist is a drone that uses a concept called "motion blur" — the effect that makes it seemingly impossible to see fast-spinning blades on fans or Road Runner's legs. In Case You Missed It Pairs of Glasses Are Boosting Productivity in Some Garment Factories Operators who received reading glasses also made fewer errors. 3D-Printed, Patient-Specific Contact Lenses in Just 20 Minutes It uses a newly developed silicone material. TRISO-X Plots Massive Advanced Nuclear Fuel Expansion in Tennessee Last week, TRISO-X announced tentative plans to create some 1,140 new jobs in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

July 20, 2026Episode 2771 hr 12 min

Harley's 'Junk' Rating; VW Kills Models; Flex Work at Land O'Lakes | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 277

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This week's episode is brought to you by Fortinet , and the new point of view, Modern Manufacturing Needs a Clearer View of Cyber Risk. Modern manufacturing runs on connectivity, but that same connectivity means a cyber incident rarely stays contained to one system or site. It can move across IT, OT, suppliers, and operational processes, putting physical production at risk. This Fortinet POV breaks down the four barriers (competency, capability, capacity, and complexity) keeping manufacturers from truly understanding their risk, and shows why operational visibility, not just investment, is the key to turning awareness into action. With manufacturing representing the world's most-targeted industry for cyberattacks, and only 14 percent of organizations reporting full OT visibility, downloading this POV will empower your organization with a clearer view of your environment and help you prioritize, protect, and build resilience on the plant floor. Download, " Modern Manufacturing Needs a Clearer View of Cyber Risk ," right now. Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - Butter Maker Smooths Production Gaps with Flex Work Option That Lets Workers Pick Hours - Volkswagen Plans to Kill Off Half of Its Models - Harley-Davidson's Credit Rating Downgraded to Junk Status by S&P In Case You Missed It - Toyota-Backed Robotics Startup to Take On 'Hard-to-Automate' Tasks in Factories - Fujitsu, Leading Robotics Companies to Use Nvidia Tech in 'Physical AI' - Sony Retraining Workers After Scrapping PlayStation Discs Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

July 13, 2026Episode 27648 min

EV Maker Banned in U.S.; Ford's 'Emotional Injuries'; Missing Cargo Plane | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 276

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This week's episode is brought to you by QAD Redzone . Did you know that only 5% of manufacturers are winning with AI? Well, here's how they're doing it. Recently, IEN's Executive Editor Anna Wells and QAD's Stephen Dombroski discussed how winning businesses approached AI implementation. In this new webinar, "From Reactive to Ready," now available on demand, you'll learn. Where AI and agentic AI are delivering real operational value today A practical framework for AI modernization in industrial manufacturing How ERP is evolving into a real-time system of action Download " From Reactive to Ready ," right now. Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - Missing Cargo Plane Sparks Massive Sea Search - Major Ford Recall Causes Two Alleged 'Emotional Injuries' - Polestar Banned from Selling Vehicles in the U.S. In Case You Missed It - Agentic Ransomware Registers First Major Hit - Apple Partners With Broadcom to Produce Over 15 Billion U.S.-Made Chips - Toyota Says $3.6B Investment Will Add 2,000 Jobs at Texas Plant Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

June 30, 202656 min

Ford's Lemon Problem; First Fusion Plant; U.S. Steel's New Line | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 275

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite. Most organizations have more dashboards, reports, and data than ever before, yet decisions still get made on gut feel or anecdote. The gap is not data, it’s action. In this practical field guide, Bernie Smith, Director of Made to Measure KPIs and KPI Academy, shares his approach to connecting KPIs to real decisions and measurable improvement. Learn how to: • Make dashboards useful instead of “wallpaper” • Choose measures people actually trust and act on • Define clear responses when a KPI moves • Design targets that encourage the right behaviors • Connect strategy, measurement, and action Download "Beyond the Dashboard" right now. https://www.manufacturing.net/formstack/beyond_the_dashboard?utm_source=podcast Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: U.S. Steel Commits $475M to Install New Quench & Tempering Line https://www.ien.com/22969501 U.S. Steel just announced plans to invest some $475 million for the installation of a new quench & tempering (Q&T) line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations in Alabama. 'World's First' Fusion Power Plant Given Regulatory Clearance https://www.ien.com/22969244 Helion is a Washington-based fusion energy company. Last week, the company claimed to become the first company in the world to secure the regulatory licenses needed for a fusion power plant. Ford Motor Sues to Shut Down Lemon Law Fraud https://www.ien.com/22969305 Last week, Ford Motor filed a lawsuit against Quill & Arrow. The lawsuit alleges rampant lawsuit abuse. Yes, it is a lawsuit over lawsuits, but this one comes after Quill & Arrow filed thousands of Lemon Law cases every year against Ford and other automakers. In Case You Missed It LA Mayor Bass Declares Emergency to Secure Resources to Help Fight Warehouse Fire https://foodmanufacturing.com/22969301/ Authorities said the cold-storage warehouse has "85 million pounds of frozen food inside." Quantum Sensors Could Spot Hidden Damage https://www.ien.com/safety/article/22969249/quantum-sensors-could-spot-hidden-damage-in-the-thousands-of-structurally-deficient-us-bridges These sensors could help engineers pinpoint problems before they get worse. Boston Dynamics Announces $100 Million U.S. Expansion Effort https://www.ien.com/automation/news/22969587/boston-dynamics-announces-100-million-us-expansion-effort Boston Dynamics yesterday announced plans to transform a 323,000 square foot facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, into an advanced robotics and AI center. The company will invest $100 million in the project and anticipates creating 1,250 new jobs by 2033. Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Andy or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters. #Manufacturing #ManufacturingNews #USSteel #FusionEnergy #Ford #Industry40 #Engineering #EnergyIndustry #Infrastructure #IndustrialNews

June 22, 2026Episode 27451 min

Ford's Recall Remedy; JBS Facility Closures; GM Strike Ends | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 274

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This week's episode is brought to you by Oracle NetSuite. As AI becomes increasingly embedded, the focus for business leaders is now shifting to, “How can we use it responsibly and profitably?” Based on what other businesses have experienced with the new tools, we are starting to see what works and what doesn’t. This new business guide, "Practical AI Lessons and Strategies," discusses financial analysis applications of AI, including prompt engineering, presenting results with certainty, and securing confidential data. Download the business guide now for lessons and strategies for using AI in finance analysis. Included is a practical roadmap to follow as your finance team scales AI usage. https://www.manufacturing.net/formstack/practical_ai_lessons_and_strategies?utm_source=podcast Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: Strike to End at GM Supplier; Workers Win Significant Increases and Workers at GM Supplier Plant Ratify New Deal, Ending Strike Workers could see a host of new benefits. https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22968847/strike-to-end-at-gm-supplier-workers-win-significant-increases https://www.ien.com/operations/news/22968986/workers-at-gm-supplier-plant-ratify-new-deal-ending-strike JBS Shutting Down Multiple Plants, Eliminating Over 2,000 Jobs The move comes amid a cattle supply squeeze. https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22968956/jbs-shutting-down-multiple-plants-eliminating-over-2000-jobs Ford Tearing Down One Engine Every Day After Record-Breaking Year of Recalls The automaker recalled 12.9 million vehicles over 153 separate campaigns last year. https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22969051/ford-tearing-down-one-engine-every-day-after-recordbreaking-year-of-recalls In Case You Missed It In a World's First, Researchers Turn Cow Poop Into Jet Fuel Not to toot its own horn, but the company said its SAF costs a lot less to make. https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/22968881/in-a-worlds-first-researchers-turn-cow-poop-into-jet-fuel 8 Killed in B-52 Bomber Crash in Southern California The aircraft went down during a routine test mission. https://www.manufacturing.net/aerospace/news/22969001/8-killed-in-b52-bomber-crash-in-southern-california New Firm Emerges from Stealth; Using AI to Democratize Custom Chip Design and Birth 'Designless Semiconductor Industry' One of the co-founders skipped high school to enroll in college at 15 and went to work on custom chips at Apple and Tesla. https://www.ien.com/artificial-intelligence/news/22969153/architect-labs-emerges-from-stealth-using-ai-to-democratize-custom-chip-design-and-birth-designless-semiconductor-industry #Manufacturing #ManufacturingNews #LaborStrike #GM #GeneralMotors #Ford #JBS #Layoffs #SupplyChain #FactoryJobs #QualityControl #AutomotiveManufacturing #Industry40 #ArtificialIntelligence #Semiconductors

June 15, 2026Episode 2731 hr 7 min

Boeing 787 Collapses; 'Spud King' Fined; Dodge RAM's Big AI Fail | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 273

Editor's note: Download and listen to the audio version below and click here to subscribe to the Today in Manufacturing podcast. The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This week's episode is brought to you by Outsystems . AI has moved past the "experimentation" phase. Today, 96% of organizations are already using AI agents, but 94% of leaders admit that "AI sprawl" is creating massive security risks and technical debt. The State of AI Development 2026 tells you how the world’s most successful companies are moving from simple chatbots to complex agentic systems without losing control of their governance or architecture. Here's what you'll learn: The Maturity Benchmark: Where your organization stands compared to 1,900 global IT leaders in the transition to agentic AI. The Governance Gap: Why only 12% of enterprises have a centralized strategy and how to avoid the "fragmentation trap." Proven ROI: Real-world data on how leaders are achieving a 40% increase in productivity by embedding AI directly into the software lifecycle. The 2026 CIO Roadmap: A practical 6-step framework to scale AI safely, modernize legacy data, and maintain "human-in-the-loop" accountability. Download " The State of AI Development 2026 " right now. Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - AI Biffs Design in RAM T-Shirt Gaffe - 'Spud King' Fined for Illegal Potato Chip Factory - Employees Injured After Boeing 787's Nose Landing Gear Collapses at Airport In Case You Missed It - Why the Brothers Bauman Moved Their Boutique Flyfishing Firm from California to Colorado - Siemens Gets $6.9M to Boost Medical Device Cybersecurity - Artificial Eyes Could Bring Human-like Sight to Self-driving Cars, Robots Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Ben or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.

June 8, 2026Episode 2721 hr 7 min

Boiler Explosion at Int'l Paper; Fire at Harley Supplier; Army Tests New Grenade | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 272

The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN). This week's episode is brought to you by Spot.AI . Transform your plant floor with AI that understands the physical world. Imagine if your existing security cameras could do more than just record—what if they could actively protect your team and optimize your entire production line? In a new video , Anna Wells dives into how Spot.AI is revolutionizing manufacturing with intelligent video AI agents. You will discover how to leverage the camera infrastructure you already own to uncover hidden risks and streamline your daily operations. Watch the video to learn how to: Enhance safety, like automatically detecting missing PPE and hazardous conditions before accidents happen. Crush operational bottlenecks by identifying idle workstations. And maximize your tech ROI by seamlessly integrating advanced AI with your current camera setup. From basic security deterrence to full-scale manufacturing optimization, this informative session offers a practical blueprint for implementing video AI on your plant floor. Watch the video , right now. Every week, we cover the three biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: - Wisconsin Castings Supplier Suffers 'Significant Fire Event' - U.S. Army Testing First New Hand Grenade in Nearly 60 Years - Boiler-Related Explosion at International Paper's NC Plant Injures Multiple Workers In Case You Missed It - How a Stamp Factory Reddit-Sourced Its Rubber Waste Problem - Real-Life AI Part I: 6 Use Cases That Reclaimed Hours of Wasted Time - Which Shocks Pose the Biggest Risks to Global Food Systems Please make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. And to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at Jeff, Anna or David@ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line. Subscribe to our daily and weekly newsletters.