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.
Managing Data Complexity with Trusted Hybrid AI
A hybrid approach combining generative and symbolic AI brings control and explainability when interpreting complex, real-world data.
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.
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.
Practical AI Steps to Build Smarter Factories in 2026
AI 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.
Can AI Agents Catalyze Faster, Smarter Product Design?
AI agents help manufacturers speed product design by surfacing cross-system insights, reducing rework and automating routine tasks. They enhance human judgment with relevant options and historical context, especially when paired with strong governance and clear KPIs.
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.
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.
MLC 2025 Photo Gallery
MLC’s 2025 highlights included plant tours at United Scrap Metal and GM, Rethink sessions on digital manufacturing, and an awards gala honoring Merck’s Besu Alemayehu and standout manufacturing teams.
2025 in Photos at the MLC
MLC’s 2025 highlights included plant tours at United Scrap Metal and GM, Rethink sessions on digital manufacturing, and a Manufacturing Leadership Awards gala honoring leaders and breakthrough projects.
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.
Digital Manufacturing in Action at GM’s Cadillac Plant in Tennessee
GM’s Cadillac plant in Tennessee uses robotics, AI and automation to improve safety, quality and efficiency, including battery inspections and a robot installing seats on a moving line.
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.
How Data Strategy and Governance Can Drive Success for Manufacturers
Manufacturers need a clear data strategy and governance framework to improve supply chain visibility, ensure compliance, and build the data foundation required for effective AI and automation.
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.
5 Key Questions on the Path to Industrial DataOps
Industrial DataOps helps manufacturers turn siloed data into real-time insights, improving agility, continuous improvement, and smart manufacturing. A data product strategy and unified standards can scale value across factories, supply chains, and future AI needs.
Survey: Manufacturers See Data, Lack Strategy
Manufacturers say data is driving efficiency, cost savings and better decisions, but nearly half lack corporate governance plans and many still struggle to turn data into strategy.
Digital Transformation Project Success Depends on Quality Data
Digital transformation projects often fail because of poor data quality, not just people, process or technology gaps. As AI becomes central to manufacturing, clean, reliable data is even more critical to success.
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.
