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.

  • President-elect Donald Trump addresses a crowd from a podium at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Supply chain leaders react to Donald Trump’s win

    Some industry groups fear expanded tariffs under a second Trump presidency, while others foresee benefits for manufacturing and trucking.

    By • Updated Nov. 7, 2024
  • Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Johnny Mercer Theatre on September 24, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    4 employment actions to expect under a second Trump presidency

    Employers are likely to see immigration raids, agency chair replacements and a slowing in regulatory activity, experts at Littler predicted.

    By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

    Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • Black and yellow Stanley Black & Decker sign on green grass, and trees and a white building in the background on a sunny day.
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    Courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker.

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    Tariff hikes could be coming. Stanley Black & Decker says it’s ready.

    The toolmaker has been formulating a mitigation strategy since the spring, with the company planning to shift production away from China.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • The label on Levi's jeans
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Levi Strauss seeks decarbonized supply chain

    The denim manufacturer has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and reducing scope 3 emissions 42% by 2030.

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A group of eight people holding red and white picket signs in front of a blue and white Boeing sign.
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    Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing production down ahead of presidential election: PMI

    Demand rose slightly during the month as manufacturers hope for a rebound next year. 

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
  • A Gulfstream aircraft flies in the sky over a body of water. with mountains in the background.
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    Courtesy of General Dynamics
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    General Dynamics Q3 aircraft deliveries hampered by supplier issue

    The aerospace company said G700 deliveries fell far short of expectations last quarter due to component exchanges and late engine shipments.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • A worker at the new Mercedes-Benz battery facility in Germany prepares a battery module for recycling.
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    Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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    Mercedes-Benz seeks circularity with new battery recycling plant

    With a targeted recovery rate of up to 96%, the facility will process and recycle enough materials to produce more than 50,000 new battery modules per year.

    By Eric Walz • Oct. 31, 2024
  • The drone view of a building next to a parking lot with cars, surrounded by green grass.
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    Courtesy of 3M.

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    3M pushes for better delivery performance

    The manufacturer is pursuing a 90% or higher on-time, in-full rate as it battles supply chain inefficiencies across its vast network.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • Doughnuts are displayed on a tray.
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    Cindy Ord via Getty Images
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    Dawn Foods names new supply chain SVP

    Ahmet Hepdogan will oversee procurement, distribution services and supply chain for the bakery ingredients distributor.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • A landscape photo of the Thacker Pass land being developed by Lithium Americas in Nevada.
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    Courtesy of Lithium Americas
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    GM invests $625M in lithium production capacity

    The automaker is partnering with Lithium Americas to develop the Thacker Pass Mine in Nevada, where GM agreed to buy up to 100% of lithium produced for 20 years.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • 2013 Honda Accords coming off the assembly line at the Marysville Auto Plant Nov. 1, 2012, exactly 30 years after the first Accord was produced in the U.S. at the Marysville, Ohio plant on Nov. 1, 198
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    Courtesy of Honda
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    Honda supply chain woes had little impact on September sales

    While the disruptions from Hurricane Helene have subsided, retooling efforts for Ohio EV production are still hampering its manufacturing activity.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • President Joe Biden delivers a speech at a podium while Vice President Kamala Harris stands in the background.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Biden-Harris administration opens tariff exclusion process

    The exclusions come as some manufacturers scramble to find alternative suppliers outside China.

    By • Oct. 17, 2024
  • Export freight containers with Mexican produced goods are seen ready to be shipped to the U.S. in the Pantaco customs complex on June 7, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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    Hector Vivas via Getty Images
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    More US-based companies to shift supply chain operations into Americas: report

    Reducing touch points and increasing proximity to manufacturing and procurement locations is a priority for firms, according to KPMG.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • Oct. 15, 2024
  • A Bassett Furniture distribution center stands next to train tracks.
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    Retrieved from Bassett Furniture on October 14, 2024
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    Bassett Furniture contends with Hurricane Helene, port strike disruptions

    One of the company’s distribution centers was offline following the storm, with shipments delayed up to two weeks. 

    By • Oct. 15, 2024
  • A person drives a forklift near rows of boxes that are stored on shelves in the interior of a warehouse.
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    Retrieved from Exxel Outdoors on October 14, 2024
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    Outdoor gear manufacturer shifts distribution operations to Mississippi

    Exxel Outdoors’ multimillion-dollar relocation project places its U.S. warehouse facility closer to its manufacturing plant in Haleyville, Alabama.

    By • Oct. 15, 2024
  • Hormel, planters
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    Permission granted by Hormel Foods
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    Hormel taps co-packer partnerships to aid disrupted plant

    Production at a Planters facility in Virginia was impacted by a food safety issue found in April.

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • A Rivian R1S vehicle driving in an urban setting
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    Courtesy of Rivian
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    Rivian cuts production outlook amid parts shortage

    The EV maker said the supply issue began in Q3 and has become more “acute” in recent weeks.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A wave violently crashes onto shore
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Layoffs mount amid low manufacturing demand: September PMI

    The presidential election, an East Coast port strike and the impact of Hurricane Helene are creating a flurry of challenges for manufacturers this fall.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Johnny Mercer Theatre on September 24, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Trump vs. Harris on manufacturing: A tale of 2 speeches

    In dueling remarks this week, the Republican nominee focused on tariff hikes, while the Democratic nominee talked of boosting clean energy production. 

    By • Sept. 30, 2024
  • Cranes stand over a cargo ship at the Port of Newark on March 26, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    ILA-USMX port labor talks

    Days of a port strike could mean weeks of manufacturing delays

    Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers are among those that could be hit hardest, with companies at risk of running out of raw materials within two to six weeks.

    By • Sept. 30, 2024
  • Former President Donald Trump sits at a table next to two men. In the background, a John Deere tractor is seen.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Trump threatens Deere with 200% tariffs if it shifts manufacturing to Mexico

    The tractor giant's plan to move some production south of the border is tied up in election politics as the economy becomes more central to campaign messaging.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference on Sept. 18, 2024.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Fed rate cut unlikely to boost manufacturing until 2025, experts warn

    The looming presidential election is still sparking uncertainty in the industry, pushing manufacturers to spend with caution.

    By • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Lego store design
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    Courtesy of Lego Group
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    Lego says nearshoring production minimizes distribution costs

    The toy maker has been focused on manufacturing upgrades over the last year, with its first U.S. factory slated to begin operations in 2027.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • Solar panels in a desert with storm clouds in the background.
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    trekandshoot via Getty Images
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    Solar supply chain lifecycle gets boost with $40M in DOE funds

    The money aims to boost sustainable management of solar modules at the end of their use, as concerns grow over how to deal with waste produced by the sector.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • A Purple Innovation mattress.
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    Courtesy of Purple Innovation
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    Purple revamped its supplier and logistics network. Here’s why.

    The mattress maker sought an increase in gross margin by diversifying its sourcing and simplifying its delivery operations.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024