News and Insights
Rheem, General Motors Named Top Winners in 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards Competition
Rheem’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.
Engendering Technology Trust in Physical and Agentic AI
Manufacturers 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
AI, 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
Manufacturers 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.
Manufacturing Leadership Council Announces Finalists for the 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards
Manufacturing 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
Manufacturers 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.
Dialogue: Leading Manufacturing Through AI Change
Rockwell’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.
The Best of Executive Dialogue
2025 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.
The Best of Rethink 2025
Rethink 2025 highlighted Manufacturing 4.0 best practices, from AI and digital resilience to autonomous operations, with sessions on Eaton, IPG, Hershey, and strategies for accelerating transformation.
MLJ December 2025 – Research Survey Recap
MLC’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.
Smart Factories, AI, Supply Chains and Data: MLC’s 2025 Surveys
MLC’s 2025 surveys show manufacturers advancing digital maturity, AI, and data use, but facing hurdles from legacy systems, data gaps, workforce resistance, and supply chain disruption.
The Best of Rethink 2025
Rethink 2025 marked 20 years of Manufacturing 4.0 insights, featuring sessions on digital transformation, innovation, and next-generation leadership from industry experts and manufacturers.
The Best of 2025 Decision Compass Calls
MLC’s Decision Compass calls explore key Manufacturing 4.0 topics, from generative AI and workforce engagement to predictive maintenance, cloud supply chains, and carbon reuse. Archived sessions are available to members in the content library.
Exploring Digital and Physical Convergence at Eclipse Automation
MLC members toured Eclipse Automation’s iPort to see digital twins, AR/VR demos, and shop-floor innovation in action. The event highlighted how digital transformation and automation are accelerating factory design and production.
How Manufacturers Can Achieve GenAI Success
Manufacturers can maximize GenAI by centralizing tools, rethinking business models, supporting workers, closing talent gaps, building partnerships and focusing data strategy on AI readiness.
Mastering Manufacturing Data for Real Advantage
Manufacturers generate vast data, but fragmented systems and weak governance limit its value. A staged approach focused on reliability, ownership, and monitoring turns data into faster, more confident decisions.
Dialogue: Agentic AI Moves from Insights to Action
Agentic AI is moving manufacturing from insight generation to task execution, helping cut engineering cycle times, boost productivity, and address labor shortages. Success depends on strong governance, trust and training as humans and AI work side by side.
AI with Open and Scaled Data Sharing in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Open, scaled data sharing can turn raw manufacturing data into AI-ready assets, improving productivity, resilience, and workforce effectiveness. A semiconductor workshop benchmarked near-term economic value from collaborative data ecosystems and virtual metrology applications.
MLC Plant Tour: United Scrap Metal and Its Vision for a Coast-to-Coast Recycling Network
United Scrap Metal grew from a $200 startup to a $725 million recycling network across nine states. MLC members toured its Cicero headquarters to learn about its technology, safety, culture and expansion plans.
The AI Divide: Manufacturing’s Pivotal Moment is Here
AI is now production-ready and delivering measurable manufacturing gains in quality, maintenance, and productivity. Manufacturers that fail to adopt it quickly risk falling behind AI-enabled competitors.
