Manufacturing

Manufacturing sector news can be a leading indicator for supply chain managers looking for information about supplier capacity, production challenges, inventory tactics, and other operations trends. Are you a manufacturing executive looking for further coverage of the sector? See our sister publication manufacturingdive.com.

  • Large conceptual image of building with the Micron logo, parking lot and cars in the front
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    Retrieved from Micron on January 14, 2026
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    Major factory construction projects to watch in 2026

    TSMC, Micron, Samsung, Lilly and others are set to break ground on or open new facilities this year.

    By Sakshi Udavant • Jan. 22, 2026
  • Bottles of Pepsi soda are seen on display in a story
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    PepsiCo uses digital twins to trial plant changes

    The multiyear pilot with Nvidia and Siemens creates physics-accurate 3D replicas of U.S. plants and warehouses, with plans to eventually expand globally.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
  • A machine that processes cases at a Walmart facility. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Trendline

    Supply Chain Technology Adoption

    Retailers and manufacturers are increasingly employing artificial intelligence, digital twins and traceability systems to improve visibility and operational performance.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump, during a news conference.
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    Andrew Harnik/Getty via Getty Images
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    OpenAI seeks US suppliers for AI supply chain

    The AI giant launched an RFP seeking domestic suppliers to build out AI hardware, robotics components and data center capacity.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
  • A white G9 electric SUV from China-based automaker Xpeng parked at a port with shipping containers in the background.
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    Courtesy of XPeng Inc.
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    Canada to reduce tariffs on China EVs

    The lower levies are part of a broader trade pact that Canada says will drive investment in electric vehicle supply chains, protect jobs and bolster agricultural exports to China.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
  • A display of Birkenstock shoes on a table, in front of a wall of Birkenstock shoes and a leather bench.
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    Courtesy of Birkenstock
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    Birkenstock warns tariffs will hurt more in 2026

    The footwear maker expects selective price hikes, supply chain efficiencies and growth in the Asia-Pacific region to soften the impact.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • President Donald Trump tours a factory.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    US caps Taiwan tariffs at 15%

    The limit would apply to both reciprocal and sector-specific duties, per the Commerce Department, although the implementation timeline remains unclear.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • A close-up image of an Nvidia chip on a computer motherboard.
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    Getty Images
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    Trump issues 25% tariffs on narrow range of semiconductors

    The levies, effective Jan. 15, do not cover products used for data centers and consumer applications, per a proclamation signed Wednesday.

    By , • Jan. 15, 2026
  • The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed at company offices on October 17, 2023, in Irvine, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    J&J adds 2 US manufacturing plants to investment plans

    The pharmaceutical giant said it will build production facilities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania as part of its broader $55 billion investment commitment. 

    By Nathan Owens • Jan. 15, 2026
  • The Estée Lauder Cos. products on a pink background.
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    Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Cos.
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    AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

    Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

    By • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A sign for Tyson Foods is pictured outdoors.
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    Courtesy of Tyson Foods
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    Tyson agrees to $82.5M settlement in beef price-fixing lawsuit

    Meat giants have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to settle claims that they artificially raised prices for years.

    By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Doors are fitted and checked during production at the Jaguar Land Rover factory on March 1, 2017 in Solihull, England. Jaguar Land Rover is relaunching certain operations following a September 2025 cyberattack.
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    Getty Images
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    Cyber risks grow as manufacturers turn to AI and cloud systems

    Data classification and encryption are essential shields for the highly targeted sector, experts said.

    By Sakshi Udavant • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Shipping containers of varying colors stacked on a ship.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    5 supply chain management trends to watch in 2026

    Following a year jam-packed with uncertainty, retailers and manufacturers will prioritize cost optimization amid a fragmenting global economic picture. 

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
  • A laptop screen shows the word "ChatGPT" and three columns of blurred-out text
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Employees say they’re fuzzy on their employers’ AI strategy

    Front-line workers in sectors such as retail, healthcare and manufacturing are less likely to use AI than those in “knowledge-based” jobs, according to Gallup. 

    By Carolyn Crist • Jan. 7, 2026
  • A U.S. Customs and Border Protection badge is displayed on a sleeve.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    CBP to cease paper-based refunds

    The moves comes as importers continue to wait for a Supreme Court ruling on executive tariff powers that could lead to a rush of refund requests. 

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • An outdoor petroleum facility.
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    US manufacturing activity drops to lowest point of 2025: PMI

    Weak demand and tariff effects are weighing on companies as the U.S.’ recent military operation in Venezuela adds more uncertainty to the mix.

    By Nathan Owens • Jan. 6, 2026
  • People walk by a kitchen cabinet display at an Ikea store on Sept. 26, 2025, in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    White House delays furniture tariff increases for a year

    The U.S. is pushing back duty increases due to "productive negotiations" with trading partners, keeping the current 25% rate in effect.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    US plans fresh China semiconductor tariffs for 2027

    The duty rate will be set at least 30 days before the implementation date and stack on top of existing levies, per a Federal Register filing.

    By • Dec. 24, 2025
  • Hands hold a phone showing a video with vehicles in the foreground and a blazing fire in the background.
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    Michael Swensen via Getty Images
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    Year in pictures

    Tariffs, strikes and tragedies: How 2025 transformed supply chains

    Supply chains faced tumult, with changes to U.S. trade policies and labor unrest contributing to a mosaic of uncertainty. Here is a visual look at the busy year.

    By , , , , , • Dec. 22, 2025
  • A mall entrance to a store named "Lovesac."
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    Lovesac reshores key manufacturing process

    The direct-to-consumer furniture retailer plans to start domestic production of core inserts for its primary product line.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • A BlueOval SK flag on display outside the joint venture's battery plant under construction last year in Tennessee.
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    Courtesy of BlueOval SK
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    Ford, SK On dissolving BlueOval SK battery joint venture

    The automaker’s planned investment in the joint venture was the largest-ever manufacturing commitment in company history, Ford said in 2021.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • Exterior of the new Victoria's Secret DC store
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    Dani James/Supply Chain Dive
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    Victoria’s Secret faces merchandise glut from ocean freight shift

    The retailer is shifting to maritime shipping instead of air freight to fight tariffs, which is increasing inventory levels.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • A U.S. flag flies in front of shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2025.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Manufacturers plan price hikes over reshoring to combat tariff effects

    Industry leaders are displaying “slight optimism” for next year, with increased projections for revenue and capital spending as trade uncertainty settles, according to ISM’s Supply Chain Planning Forecast.

    By • Dec. 17, 2025
  • A green and white semitruck with the words "UNFI electric vehicle" above the cab.
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    Courtesy of UNFI
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    UNFI boosts supply chain performance with lean management

    The company has improved throughput and on-time delivery at distribution centers at which it has installed a standardized lean operating model.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • Brands owned by J&J Snack Foods, including Icee and SuperPretzel.
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    Retrieved from J&J Snack Foods.
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    J&J Snack Foods to close 3 manufacturing sites in business revamp

    The Icee maker expects to accrue $20 million in annualized savings from a business transformation plan aimed at simplifying production and optimizing distribution.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Semiconductor industry most concerned by tariffs, trade policy: KPMG

    For the first time, supply chain issues overtook talent as industry leaders’ top concern, according to the advisory firm’s 21st annual Global Semiconductor Outlook.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025