US Manufacturing Report
Posts
This Week in Manufacturing - 1/14/2026

This Week in Manufacturing - 1/14/2026

Electric planes flying against the trends

January 14, 2026

Love staying up to date? Forward this to a friend to subscribe!

This report is brought to you in partnership with Sustainment, a market network dedicated to the success of American Manufacturing. Learn More →

💴 This Week in Manufacturing

2026 is fully underway and U.S. manufacturing has yet to reach firm ground with activity and employment still contracting. But beneath the surface, capital continues to flow into select sectors like aerospace, advanced mobility, and defense-adjacent production. Industry forecasts point to modest growth, disciplined investment, and a sharp focus on technology and resilience. This is not a rebound year — it’s a positioning year that will shape the next manufacturing cycle.

This week’s headlines cover another round of diverse openings and investments while lingering on the downbeat of 2025 and the impacts yet to be seen.

Our first podcast, from Augmented Ops, explores what it really takes to deploy AI responsibly in the life sciences industry. The second podcast, from The Manufacturing Executive, discusses combatting supply chain instability through a strong coalition of legacy brands.

The Social Video and Fun Fact both highlight the innovations of electric aviation, starting with Joby today and looking toward the 2030s!

Thanks for joining us!

⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

Novartis advances $23B US manufacturing plan in Florida [NJ Biz]
GreenPower Motor Company Makes U.S. Manufacturing Expansion [Global Trade]
Gains and declines highlight tough year for U.S. job market [NBC News]
J&J plans to build 2 US manufacturing sites [Fierce Pharma]
Samsung Biologics enters US manufacturing market [The Manufacturer]

COMMENTARY

♨️ Manufacturing Enters 2026: Under Pressure, but Not Standing Still

Short-Term Headwinds, Long-Term Positioning: How Manufacturers Are Planning Through the Down Cycle

As the calendar flips to 2026, U.S. manufacturing finds itself in a position that’s uncomfortable — but familiar.

The data to start 2026 remains challenging: manufacturing activity is contracting, employment is soft, and demand hasn’t yet recovered. Yet investment tells a different story. Companies are still buying factories, expanding capacity, and committing capital in high-value sectors where proximity, reliability, and technical capability matter. Industry leaders project modest growth paired with disciplined spending and accelerated technology adoption.

For manufacturers willing to invest through uncertainty, this period may prove decisive in shaping long-term competitiveness.

Upshot: Operational agility — the ability to pivot suppliers, rebalance production, and respond quickly to disruption — is emerging as a defining advantage.