The Manufacturing Leadership Journal April 2025
Bold Ideas for a Better Future
Manufacturing Leadership Journal
April 2025
Eaton shares how it is scaling Industry 4.0 across 200 plants, while a new survey finds tariffs are disrupting supply chains and driving costs up.
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Featured stories
Dialogue
Dialogue: Scaling Industry 4.0 at Eaton
Craig Sutton shares how Eaton is scaling digital transformation across 200 plants by focusing on strategy, culture, and technology.
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Survey
Survey: Tariff Tumult Roils Supply Chains
More than 40% are already seeing a negative impact from tariffs, resulting in rising costs, a new MLC survey shows. Greater resiliency using digital tools is a key mitigation strategy.
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More from this issue
Feature
How to Boost Competitiveness Through Supplier Collaboration
Leading companies are turning supplier collaboration into a strategic advantage by integrating planning, procurement, and suppliers to boost innovation, resilience, and performance. This approach can improve customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and create mutual growth.
Feature
Smart Factories and Supply Chains Thrive with Connectivity
Smart factories use IoT, AI, 5G and advanced analytics to improve visibility, agility and efficiency. Manufacturers are also addressing legacy equipment, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions with connected, data-driven solutions.
Feature
Resilient Supply Chains and the Digital Thread
Digital thread principles improve supply chain resilience by enabling real-time, contextual data flow, better metrics, and integrated redesigns across operations. Lean practices and advanced analytics help reduce risk and improve agility.
Feature
Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Balancing Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Challenges
Sustainable supply chain management balances current operations with future growth through smart location planning, efficient facility design, and resilient business continuity. Packaging, transportation, and risk preparedness also support long-term performance.
Feature
The Foundations of Enabling an M4.0 Supply Network
Manufacturing 4.0 supply networks require digital visibility, collaboration and agile execution. Treating suppliers as an extension of the business helps improve quality, speed and resilience.
Feature
Best Practices for Cultivating Collaborative Manufacturing Ecosystems
Manufacturers can strengthen ecosystems by organizing data, building trust with partners and conducting risk assessments. Shared insights improve inventory, quality, resilience and customer satisfaction.
Feature
Four Ways to Leverage Spatial Computing in M4.0 Supply Networks
Spatial computing can boost M4.0 supply network resilience through safer training, real-time facility data visualization, and shared virtual collaboration for faster disruption response.
Feature
Smart AI Moves: Build Your Supply Chain Step by Step
Build a strong AI foundation before scaling supply chain transformation. Focus on clear goals, cost-benefit analysis, and support across people, processes, data, and technology.
Feature
Welcome New Members of the MLC April 2025
Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council.
SURVEY ARCHIVE
July 30, 2026
Survey: In Manufacturing Data We Trust—Mostly
January 31, 2026
Survey: Smart Factories Enter the Execution Era
November 23, 2025
Smart Factories, AI, Supply Chains and Data: MLC’s 2025 Surveys
November 23, 2025
MLJ December 2025 – Research Survey Recap
September 30, 2025
Survey: Manufacturers See Data, Lack Strategy
April 1, 2025
Survey: Tariff Tumult Roils Supply Chains
January 31, 2025
Survey: M4.0 Appears Poised for A Significant Leap
October 1, 2024
Survey: Leadership Preparedness Improves, but Gaps Remain
August 1, 2024
Survey: Manufacturers See AI as a “Game-Changer” as They Ramp Up Investments
February 1, 2024
Survey: Smart Factories Are Still a Work in Progress
October 1, 2023
SURVEY: Manufacturers Go All-In on AI
August 1, 2023
SURVEY: Choppy Supply Chain Seas Making Skilled Sailors
