News and Insights
Upskilling the Manufacturing Workforce for AI
August 31, 2026To bridge labor gaps, manufacturers must upskill their workforce to transition from task execution to AI supervision and operational governance. Manufacturers are under growing pressure to do more with a constrained workforce. In June 2026, there were 481,000 manufacturing jobs open nationwide, according to the
Embracing the Industrial Intelligence Era of Manufacturing
August 7, 2026The next era of manufacturing will be won by companies who strategically plan, architect, and know how to derive value from their technologies.
Rheem, General Motors Named Top Winners in 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards Competition
June 25, 2026Rheem’s Alan Machuga was named 2026 Manufacturing Leader of the Year, while General Motors won Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year. Pure & Gentle earned Small/Medium Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year in the Manufacturing Leadership Awards.
Managing Data Complexity with Trusted Hybrid AI
June 9, 2026A hybrid approach combining generative and symbolic AI brings control and explainability when interpreting complex, real-world data.
MLC Plant Tour: An Up-Close Look at Kohler’s OT/IT Integration
June 5, 2026MLC members toured Kohler’s new 1-million-square-foot Arizona smart factory, learning how OT/IT integration, wireless networking and automation support bathtub production and warehouse operations.
Building An AI Governance Framework for the Factory Floor
May 21, 2026AI governance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Learn the five key pillars manufacturers need to confidently scale AI.
Dialogue: Building Rheem’s AI-Ready Future
May 18, 2026Joe Palomba shares how Rheem aligned leadership, process and data to build a connected AI-ready enterprise.
Engendering Technology Trust in Physical and Agentic AI
May 13, 2026Manufacturers adopting physical and agentic AI must build trust in reliability, security, and safety. Success depends on safe operating boundaries and preserving human accountability in AI-driven processes.
Orchestrating Material Handling with AI & Automation
May 1, 2026AI, automation, virtualization and secure IT/OT orchestration can turn material handling constraints into scalable competitive advantage. A unified digital foundation helps manufacturers reduce risk, unlock data and optimize operations across the enterprise.
Building an OT Organization in an IT World
April 24, 2026Manufacturers need intentional IT/OT structures to clarify ownership, automate workflows, and close capability gaps. A future-ready organization should fit company size, talent access, and evolving digital needs.
Engendering Technology Trust in Physical and Agentic AI
April 19, 2026Manufacturers adopting physical and agentic AI must build trust in reliability, security, and safety by using defined safety envelopes and preserving human accountability. As adoption grows, trust will separate leaders from laggards.
Manufacturing Leadership Council Announces Finalists for the 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards
April 10, 2026Manufacturing Leadership Council named finalists for the 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards and Partners in Collaborative Innovation, recognizing digital transformation leaders across the manufacturing sector.
Survey: GenAI Adoption Surges In Manufacturing
April 1, 2026Manufacturers are rapidly adopting generative AI, with 71% already using it and nearly 90% planning to expand use in two years. Most have corporate AI policies, though maturity remains early amid data and skills challenges.
Practical AI Steps to Build Smarter Factories in 2026
March 20, 2026AI is helping factories improve speed, resilience, and profitability by embedding digitization and automation into daily workflows. Successful 2026 pilots start with business outcomes, use ready data, and scale through human-in-the-loop governance.
Dialogue: Leading Manufacturing Through AI Change
March 1, 2026Rockwell’s Blake Moret says manufacturing must urgently adopt AI and smart manufacturing, with supportive policy and a learning culture, to stay competitive amid tariffs and supply chain risks.
Survey: Smart Factories Enter the Execution Era
January 31, 2026Manufacturers say smart factories have moved into an execution era, with AI maturing, digital transformation becoming a competitive advantage, and more than 90% planning to maintain or increase investments in 2026.
The Best of Executive Dialogue
November 24, 20252025 Executive Dialogue highlights how manufacturing leaders are using AI, Industry 4.0 and digital culture to drive transformation, build talent, and prepare for the future.
MLJ December 2025 – Research Survey Recap
November 23, 2025MLC’s 2025 surveys show manufacturers advancing digital maturity, AI, data and smart factories, while tariffs, legacy systems, skills gaps and weak data governance continue to slow progress.
