News and Insights
Manufacturing Leadership Council Appoints Ron Castro as Chairman and Will Bonifant as Vice Chairman of Board of Governors
Manufacturing Leadership Council names IBM’s Ron Castro chairman and Hormel Foods’ Will Bonifant vice chairman of its Board of Governors to guide manufacturing digital transformation efforts.
Dialogue: Digital Culture Begins with Executive Intent
CESMII’s John Dyck says digital transformation depends on executive intent, a data quality policy and a culture that trusts data to bridge IT and OT and drive better decisions.
Digital Tools for Manufacturing Resilience
Manufacturers are increasing investment in cloud, GenAI and digital supply chain tools to boost ROI, resilience and workforce development amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards Finalists Recognized for Achievements in Digital Transformation
June 18 gala will recognize companies and individuals for accomplishments with AI, smart factories, digital production, and more
Manufacturing Leadership Council named finalists for the 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards, recognizing digital transformation achievements across companies and leaders. Winners will be announced June 18 at the gala in Florida.
Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence with Digital Twins
Digital twins can boost manufacturing excellence, but success depends on strong data governance, cross-functional alignment, and workforce development. Leaders should start with a clear strategy and culture change, not just technology.
MLC Research Shines a Light on the State of M4.0
MLC’s 2024 research shows manufacturers remain in mid-stage M4.0 adoption, still working to improve digital maturity, data use, AI investment, and leadership skills.
The Best of the Manufacturing Leadership Journal
2024’s best Manufacturing Leadership Journal articles cover digital twins, GenAI, smart factories, and M4.0 maturity models, offering practical strategies for innovation, workforce readiness, and operational excellence.
The Right Talent, The Right Skills
Manufacturers can better attract and prepare smart manufacturing talent by defining workplace culture, hiring for behaviors and adaptability, and creating growth opportunities for all employees.
Dialogue: Change is the Only Constant
Cooley Group CEO Dan Dwight says successful digital transformation requires cultural and leadership change, especially transparency and employee engagement. A decade into the effort, the company is driving constant change alongside new technology.
Preparing the Supply Chain Workforce for an AI Revolution
Manufacturers need a strong data foundation and cross-functional collaboration to unlock AI’s supply chain benefits, from better demand forecasting and inventory planning to more efficient admin work.
Change Management for an Agile, Innovative Workforce
A strong change management plan helps manufacturers reduce burnout, secure stakeholder buy-in and adapt to technology-driven change. Effective plans assess readiness, communicate clearly and build a change champion network.
Survey: Smart Factories Are Still a Work in Progress
Manufacturers are steadily investing in smart factories, but most remain at an intermediate stage of M4.0 adoption. Cultural resistance and organizational change remain the biggest obstacles.
AI, Autonomous Operations Seen as Having Major Impacts by 2030
MLC leaders say AI and autonomous operations will reshape manufacturing by 2030, while supply chains, sustainability and leadership skills evolve around stronger environmental stewardship and human-AI management.
Crafting a Permacrisis-Proof Transformation
Organizations facing constant disruption must tackle digital, technology, and transformation debt to adapt successfully. Building culture, speed, governance, and innovation is key to becoming permacrisis-proof.
How Manufacturing 4.0 Got Its Name—and Why It Matters
Manufacturing 4.0 expands Industry 4.0 beyond technology to include organizational and leadership change. The MLC says this holistic approach is key to successful digital transformation in manufacturing.
Empowering Employees in the Manufacturing 5.0 Era
Manufacturing 5.0 puts people at the center of digital transformation, emphasizing human-machine collaboration, data-driven shop floor decisions, and new workforce training to attract and retain skilled employees.
Announcing the 2023 Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists
The Manufacturing Leadership Council announced finalists for the 2023 Manufacturing Leadership Awards, honoring digital manufacturing achievements. Winners will be revealed June 28 at the gala in Marco Island, Florida.
AB InBev Uses Smart Manufacturing for Award-Winning Results
AB InBev won four 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Awards, including Manufacturer of the Year, for smart manufacturing, resilient supply chains and data-driven digital transformation.
The Top 8 Manufacturing Trends for 2023
NAM’s Top 8 Manufacturing Trends for 2023 highlight technology, supply chain resilience, talent, cybersecurity, growth, economic pressures and sustainability, with resources to help manufacturers adapt and compete.
Achieving Measurable Value through Data-Driven Manufacturing
“Data collection doesn’t equal success” and other observations from a powerful visit to EY’s Digital Operations Hub @ MxD
EY and MLC explored data-driven manufacturing at a Chicago event, emphasizing human-centered transformation, aligned strategy, and scaling beyond pilot projects to create measurable value.
