The manufacturing sector in the United States continues to face an ongoing labor shortage that shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. Recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal a consistent pattern of nearly a half-million open manufacturing positions every month. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, the current administration’s
As much as we depend upon fossil fuels for energy generation, we can’t escape the fact that Mother Nature isn’t making more fossil fuels anytime soon. Thus, the search for reliable and cost-effective alternative energy sources continues. One alternative—geothermal energy—has been around for ages. However, due to relatively high startup costs, it really hasn’t taken
Robots in the workplace. AI. The latest iPhone. Is there any facet of life not impacted by the growing presence of advanced technology? Pick up a newspaper (if you can still find one!) and examine its contents. How many stories touch on some aspect of technology? Yes, we live and work in a digital world.
Most automobile enthusiasts know that the modern automobile production factory traces its roots all the way back to Henry Ford and the Model T. Ford’s vision led to the invention of the moving automotive assembly line, which enabled mass production of vehicles and ushered in a new era of transportation in the United States. Perhaps
Is there anything better than purchasing a brand-new car? In addition to that new car smell, there’s the luxury of peering down at the odometer to see a line of zeroes. With no worries about breakdowns or repairs in the near future, there’s nothing quite like that first drive off the lot onto the wide-open
For years, manufacturing experts have been discussing the coming wave of digital transformation that’s going to revolutionize modern manufacturing. Using terms like Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and the like, they’ve envisioned a future in which all manufacturing systems are connected via the Internet to provide real-time data that can
Amidst the confusion caused by the Trump administration’s on-again, off-again tariffs and increasingly-isolationist trade policies, manufacturing in America has once again been pushed into the spotlight. An overwhelming majority of Americans believe more manufacturing jobs would be a good thing. Unfortunately, not nearly as many people seem willing to work those jobs. Perhaps some of
Are electric vehicles (EVs) still the future of the automobile industry? Or has their shine already worn off? It’s a question manufacturers and investors alike are asking considering the recent tumultuous political landscape. Elon Musk’s very public government involvement has soured many potential customers and given Tesla investors whiplash from crashing stock prices. Likewise, Congress
A visit to just about any modern car dealership will yield a range of vehicle choices few contemplated a decade ago. In addition to being able to choose from a variety of sizes and body styles, consumers now have an additional choice to make: traditional gasoline engine, fully-electric engine, or a hybrid of both? Once
Thanks to the constant back and forth over tariffs and international trade policy, shipyards haven’t been in the news this much since HBO’s The Wire captivated audiences in the early 2000s. Perhaps hoping to capitalize on current events, the United States Navy is hoping to swell its ranks while also reviving the commercial shipbuilding industry
“Made in America!” Those three words evoke a range of thoughts and emotions, from simple patriotism to a belief in a higher-quality product. They’ve also become a bit of a political rallying cry. Since the beginning of 2025, American manufacturing has been in the national spotlight more than ever, largely due to the Trump administration’s
Do you want to see more manufacturing jobs in the United States? Do you want to work one of those manufacturing jobs? For Americans, the answer to these two questions is quite different and seemingly contradictory. Welcome to the paradox that is modern manufacturing in the U.S. The on-again, off-again Trump administration tariff announcements sparking
