Manufacturing Leadership Journal

The Manufacturing Leadership Journal

Bold Ideas for a Better Future

Survey: Smart Factories Enter the Execution Era

Manufacturers push deeper into execution as smart factory strategies mature, AI advances and digital transformation gains as a competitive advantage.

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MLC Research: Smart Factories, Data, AI and More

MLC’s 2025 research shows that operations leaders are resolved to continue scaling the digital maturity curve.

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Dialogue: Leading Manufacturing Through AI Change

Rockwell’s Blake Moret on urgency, AI adoption, policy shifts and why manufacturers must become learning organizations.

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Resilient IT/OT Architectures: Protecting Against Cyber and Operations Risk

Manufacturers can follow strategic steps to build resilience across IT and OT environments while advancing their business objectives.

Third-Party Risk Management for Global Supply Chains

Manufacturing leaders can improve real-time supply chain visibility by using advanced technologies, real-time data monitoring, and cross-functional governance.

Future-Proofing Business Amid Workforce Change

As experienced workers exit the industry, manufacturers must embed product and commercial expertise into scalable, digital processes.

5 Key Questions on the Path to Industrial DataOps

Industrial DataOps enable manufacturers to be more agile, improve continuously, and move toward smart manufacturing

From Legacy to Leading Edge: Real Stories of Data-Driven Transformation

Four company stories highlight the essential role of effective data management and analysis for competitive advantage.

Digital Transformation Project Success Depends on Quality Data

Focusing on the quality of data is a critical factor determining the success or failure of transformational projects.

“You can create a strategy, but you also have to integrate those and execute it, and really show how it’s driving improvements to stay competitive and keep the metrics green. That’s what we want to do – (to) create what is viewed to (our leaders) as a world-class level that they’re trying to achieve.”

Craig Sutton,
Vice President of Industry 4.0, Eaton Corporation

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Also in this issue

2025 in Photos at the MLC

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

Exploring Digital and Physical Convergence at Eclipse Automation

From immersive tech demos to shop-floor innovation, MLC members got an exclusive look at how Eclipse Automation is turning digital…

Welcome New Members of the MLC February 2026

Introducing the latest new members to the Manufacturing Leadership Council

Survey: Manufacturers See Data, Lack Strategy

Despite persistent challenges, data has made measurable impacts on performance and decision-making.

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.…

Survey: M4.0 Appears Poised for A Significant Leap

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

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…

Survey: 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…