News and Insights
Welcome New Members of the MLC May 2026
Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council
MLC welcomes new members from McCain Foods, Bosch, Bloom Energy, General Mills, Abbvie, Workday, Smurfit Westrock, Pioneer Service and Standex. Learn more about the association’s newest member leaders.
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.
Welcome New Members of the MLC June 2025
Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council
MLC welcomes new members from SAF-Holland, Merck, McCormick, Hutchens Industries, Condumex and General Motors. Learn more about the association’s growing membership.
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.
Welcome New Members of the MLC December 2024
Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council
MLC welcomes new December 2024 members from Falcon Plastics, Ingredion, Doepker Industries, ZS, Hynes Industries, AirLife and Kalypso, highlighting leaders in manufacturing and digital transformation.
Building Better: AI as the Fast Track to 4IR Technology Adoption
AI and generative AI are rapidly accelerating manufacturing’s Fourth Industrial Revolution, driving productivity, quality, and energy gains across operations and beyond the shop floor. Manufacturers with strong data foundations are best positioned to scale these technologies quickly.
Connect, Analyze, Improve — Then Rinse and Repeat
Manufacturers can start smart manufacturing by connecting equipment, analyzing data, and fixing clear operational problems. Pilot projects build confidence and create a foundation for broader Industry 4.0 adoption.
How Digital Twin Applications Can Help Manage and Optimize Inventory
Digital twins let manufacturers simulate operations in real time to forecast performance, identify bottlenecks, and right-size inventory and equipment investments. A food producer used this approach to avoid millions in unnecessary tank capacity.
The MLC Elects New Chair, Vice Chair and Two Leading Industry Figures to its Board of Governors
MLC named Dan Dwight chair, Ron Castro vice chair, and added Dan Dralle and Larry Megan to its Board of Governors, strengthening leadership for manufacturing digital transformation.
Leading through Values at the Vermeer Corporation
Vermeer Corporation’s growth stays rooted in putting people first, building quality products, and giving back. The company pairs Lean, Kaizen, and automation with workforce training and smart technology to improve safety, quality, and ROI.
At Hershey, a Sweet History and Saltier Future Powered by Digital
Hershey is transforming into a digital snacking powerhouse, using automation, data and paperless operations to boost flexibility, reliability and speed across its chocolate and salty snack supply chain.
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.
New Members of the MLC
Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council.
The Manufacturing Leadership Council welcomes five new members from EnerSys, MSA Safety, Nestlé Purina, Emerson Automation Solutions, and Sukup Manufacturing. The list highlights leaders in global operations, digital manufacturing, and operational technology.
Achieving Impact from End-to-End Digitalization
Manufacturers can unlock transformational value from smart manufacturing by tackling data fragmentation, integrating systems, and starting with clear business cases. Incremental digitalization, such as sensors and digital twins, improves efficiency, quality, and supply chain visibility.
How Digital Manufacturing Creates Business Opportunities
Digital manufacturing could create new revenue streams by 2030 through virtual collaboration, outcome-based services, blockchain traceability and e-manufacturing marketplaces, boosting competitiveness and customer value.
Digitalization, Sustainability, and Profit
Advanced analytics help process manufacturers turn sustainability data into real-time decisions, improving efficiency, emissions reporting, and circular production. Digitalization can boost both profitability and environmental performance.
Getting Ahead of the Sustainability Curve
Manufacturers can get ahead of sustainability mandates by proactively sharing baseline emissions data, analyzing materials, and tracking regulations. Early collaboration helps shape customer requirements and avoid costly, hard-to-implement initiatives.
A Winning Formula at AB InBev
AB InBev won Manufacturing Leadership Awards for AI, digital connectivity and operational excellence, then earned Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year by using smart algorithms to boost utilities performance and reliability.
DIALOGUE: AB InBev’s Award-Winning Dream
AB InBev is using advanced digital tools to empower front-line teams, improve operations, and build a more resilient, sustainable manufacturing ecosystem, says Global VP Marcelo Ribeiro.
Resilient OT Cybersecurity: The Key to Digital Benefits
Manufacturers adopting digital OT tools face rising cyber risk, making resilient cybersecurity essential to protect productivity, continuity, and connected factory systems.
