Manufacturing Leadership Journal

The Manufacturing Leadership Journal December 2024

Bold Ideas for a Better Future

Dialogue: Accessibility Unlocks Untapped Talent

Angela Accurso, a Next-Generation Leadership winner, shares how accessibility through tech and training can bring untapped workers into manufacturing

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MLC Research Shines a Light on the State of M4.0

Over the course of 2024, five research studies depicted an industry still very much in transition to the digital model of manufacturing.

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The Best of the Manufacturing Leadership Journal

Celebrating expert insights from a year of manufacturing innovation and leadership.

The Best of Rethink

The 20th anniversary of Rethink brought together thought leaders and manufacturers to share digital transformation best practices and lessons learned.

The Best of 2024 Decision Compass Calls

MLC’s member-exclusive virtual working groups offer a pathway to building M4.0 value.

“We challenge manufacturers to think about it being a win-win scenario: Not only are you investing in emerging technology to help your operations, you’re also allowing an untapped talent pool to participate.”

– Angela Accurso
Director of Workforce Programs, MxD

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GenAI's Boost to Autonomous Supply Chains

GenAI is a necessary tool for competitive advantage, but companies will need to navigate the risks and capitalize on the opportunities—or risk being left behind.

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Also in this issue

The Best of the Future of Manufacturing Project

The Future of Manufacturing Project provides a how-to guide for manufacturers to achieve future success.

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MLC in 2024: Photo Gallery

The MLC welcomed members and manufacturing leaders to plant tours, Rethink and more in 2024. Enjoy these photo highlights from recent events.

EnerSys Tour Shares Lean Manufacturing Insights

MLC members explore lean ecosystems, advanced battery production, and agile fulfillment strategies at EnerSys' Richmond facility.

Welcome New Members of the MLC December 2024

Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council

Survey: Leadership Preparedness Improves, but Gaps Remain

As they climb up the maturity curve, manufacturers see a host of benefits as well as challenges with AI, says…

Manufacturers See AI as a “Game-Changer” as They Ramp Up Investments

As they climb up the maturity curve, manufacturers see a host of benefits as well as challenges with AI, says…

For Manufacturers, Digital Maturity Hasn’t Yet Come of Age

Manufacturers are at an early stage of understanding how far advanced they are with Manufacturing 4.0, as they grapple with…

Survey: Smart Factories Are Still a Work in Progress

Manufacturers are moving ahead with creating smarter factories as they grapple with cultural resistance and integrating new technologies.

SURVEY: Manufacturers Go All-In on AI

A growing number of manufacturing organizations have brought AI to the shop floor, and as usage grows, so do aspirations…

SURVEY: Choppy Supply Chain Seas Making Skilled Sailors

MLC’s latest survey reveals continued disruptions and challenges but big shifts in digital technology deployments and supply network geography

Survey: On Board with Technology, At Sea with Strategy

Manufacturing executives want to know what digital transformation can do for their businesses, but an overall plan to find out…

Survey: Data Mastery is Slow to Mature but Essential

Manufacturers show some progress with data mastery efforts, but much opportunity for growth exists.

Survey: Smarter Factories Are on the Way

Manufacturers will be pressing ahead with their M4.0 investments as they expand their digital deployments in operations, a new MLC…

Survey: Sustainability Momentum Surges Dramatically

Sustainability is rapidly becoming one of the key drivers of industrial transformation for the rest of the decade, reveals the…

Survey: More Expect M4.0 Tech Adoption to Increase

A new MLC survey reveals that rapid technology adoption continues as manufacturers deploy transformative technologies to reshape how work gets…

SURVEY: Manufacturers Get Tough on Cybersecurity

More companies are taking a disciplined approach to dealing with the growing threat of cyber attacks, a new MLC survey…

SURVEY: Digital Leadership Playbook Still Work in Progress

In manufacturing’s new digital era, the requirements for leadership are evolving just as rapidly as the technology that is underpinning…

SURVEY: Manufacturing Supply Disruptions to Last Well Into 2023

A new MLC survey warns that disruption could continue for as long as two years as manufacturers strive to adopt…

SURVEY: Future Outlook: Hazy

While pandemic disruptions created a rush to move to M4.0, MLC’s latest Factories of the Future survey finds those plans…

Manufacturing’s Sustainability Challenge: The Race is On

The desire to adopt more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices is now an overwhelming sentiment among manufacturing executives, reveals the…

Pedal to the Metal

Manufacturers see data’s massive potential to improve operations, predict disruptions, and bring about new revenue streams, but realizing that promise…

Growing Pains

Manufacturers see data’s massive potential to improve operations, predict disruptions, and bring about new revenue streams, but realizing that promise…