All News & 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.
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.
Engendering Technology Trust in Physical and Agentic AI
Manufacturers 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
Manufacturing Leadership Council named finalists for the 2026 Manufacturing Leadership Awards and Partners in Collaborative Innovation, recognizing digital transformation leaders across the manufacturing sector.
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.
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.
From Smart Factory to Smart Enterprise
Manufacturers are digitizing production, but data gaps, workforce readiness and disconnected processes are limiting smart factory ROI. The next step is linking factory systems, product knowledge and enterprise workflows into a smart enterprise.
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 Data-Ready Factory Starts With Trust
Manufacturers that master data governance and interoperability gain better agility, forecast accuracy, and capital allocation. Shared definitions and ownership are essential before AI can deliver reliable results.
