Manufacturing Leadership Journal

The Manufacturing Leadership Journal February 2025

Bold Ideas for a Better Future

Dialogue: Finding the Human Edge in AI

Dow’s Tim O’Neal shares how data, AI, and intentional talent placement drive operational excellence.

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Survey: M4.0 Appears Poised for A Significant Leap

Manufacturers are ramping up digital investments, with AI, automation, and smart factories reshaping the industry faster than ever.

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AI-Driven Factories of the Future: It’s a Lot More than Just Autonomy

The future of manufacturing is about intelligently blending autonomous operations, augmented intelligence, and flexibility to redefine production.

Autonomy’s Path: Operations Transformed with Production Logistics

Seamless material and data flow is unlocking the next frontier of digital transformation and empowering autonomous operations.

Harnessing Manufacturing 4.0: A Supply Chain Perspective

Manufacturing 4.0 technologies—including AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing—can improve supply chain innovation and performance.

Enabling Transformation with Smart Operations

Increasing visibility and speed of execution through Manufacturing 4.0 and connected systems are critical to meet manufacturers’ needs.

Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence with Digital Twins

Manufacturing leaders can leverage digital twin technology to drive operational transformation while ensuring sustainable, long-term value creation

Early in my career a very experienced leader had mentioned to me one time and really gave me some great advice. He said, “Tim, manufacturing plants will whisper to you and let you know when something is not exactly right.”

Tim O’Neal,
Global Director of Operational Excellence and Leveraged Services, Dow

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Also in this issue

Photo Essay: The Future of Manufacturing Project

The opportunities and challenges of applying artificial intelligence in manufacturing operations were explored at MLC’s recent event in Orlando.

EnerSys Tour Offers Immersive Lean Manufacturing

MLC members explore lean ecosystems, advanced battery production, and agile fulfillment strategies at EnerSys' Richmond facility.

Welcome New Members of the MLC February 2025

Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council

Survey: Leadership Preparedness Improves, but Gaps Remain

As they climb up the maturity curve, manufacturers see a host of benefits as well as challenges with AI, says…

Manufacturers See AI as a “Game-Changer” as They Ramp Up Investments

As they climb up the maturity curve, manufacturers see a host of benefits as well as challenges with AI, says…

For Manufacturers, Digital Maturity Hasn’t Yet Come of Age

Manufacturers are at an early stage of understanding how far advanced they are with Manufacturing 4.0, as they grapple with…

Survey: Smart Factories Are Still a Work in Progress

Manufacturers are moving ahead with creating smarter factories as they grapple with cultural resistance and integrating new technologies.

SURVEY: Manufacturers Go All-In on AI

A growing number of manufacturing organizations have brought AI to the shop floor, and as usage grows, so do aspirations…

SURVEY: Choppy Supply Chain Seas Making Skilled Sailors

MLC’s latest survey reveals continued disruptions and challenges but big shifts in digital technology deployments and supply network geography

Survey: On Board with Technology, At Sea with Strategy

Manufacturing executives want to know what digital transformation can do for their businesses, but an overall plan to find out…

Survey: Data Mastery is Slow to Mature but Essential

Manufacturers show some progress with data mastery efforts, but much opportunity for growth exists.

Survey: Smarter Factories Are on the Way

Manufacturers will be pressing ahead with their M4.0 investments as they expand their digital deployments in operations, a new MLC…

Survey: Sustainability Momentum Surges Dramatically

Sustainability is rapidly becoming one of the key drivers of industrial transformation for the rest of the decade, reveals the…

Survey: More Expect M4.0 Tech Adoption to Increase

A new MLC survey reveals that rapid technology adoption continues as manufacturers deploy transformative technologies to reshape how work gets…

SURVEY: Manufacturers Get Tough on Cybersecurity

More companies are taking a disciplined approach to dealing with the growing threat of cyber attacks, a new MLC survey…

SURVEY: Digital Leadership Playbook Still Work in Progress

In manufacturing’s new digital era, the requirements for leadership are evolving just as rapidly as the technology that is underpinning…

SURVEY: Manufacturing Supply Disruptions to Last Well Into 2023

A new MLC survey warns that disruption could continue for as long as two years as manufacturers strive to adopt…

SURVEY: Future Outlook: Hazy

While pandemic disruptions created a rush to move to M4.0, MLC’s latest Factories of the Future survey finds those plans…

Manufacturing’s Sustainability Challenge: The Race is On

The desire to adopt more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices is now an overwhelming sentiment among manufacturing executives, reveals the…

Pedal to the Metal

Manufacturers see data’s massive potential to improve operations, predict disruptions, and bring about new revenue streams, but realizing that promise…

Growing Pains

Manufacturers see data’s massive potential to improve operations, predict disruptions, and bring about new revenue streams, but realizing that promise…