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💴 This Week in Manufacturing

February showed that U.S. manufacturing is gaining traction, but not without strain. Both major PMIs stayed in expansion territory for a second straight month, supported by stronger orders and rising business optimism. At the same time, tariff-driven cost pressures, weak exports, weather disruptions, and ongoing employment contraction kept growth fragile. Even so, major factory investment announcements suggest companies are still betting on long-term U.S. production.

This week’s headlines cover a wide range of innovations and potential partnerships as the manufacturing sector heats up with positive output and investments.

Our first podcast, from The Manufacturing Report, dives into starting a handmade business from scratch. The second podcast, from Manufacturing Happy Hour, highlights the benefits of second-chance hiring in a challenged workforce.

The Social Video and Fun Fact each showcase advances within the biotechnology industry, a less-seen side of manufacturing that’s driving new discoveries beyond healthcare.

Thanks for joining us!

⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

• US manufacturing output increases; homebuilder sentiment ticks up [Reuters]

• America to challenge China’s critical mineral chokehold [Chatham House]

• UM aims to bridge the ‘valley of death’ for manufacturing tech [Michigan Engineering News]

• Using AI to Transform U.S. Manufacturing and Workforce [Assembly Magazine]

• U.S. Manufacturing Wakes Up [Seeking Alpha]

MONTHLY REPORT

♨️ US Manufacturing Monthly Insights - February

U.S. manufacturing continued its expansion in February 2026, extending a fragile but encouraging recovery that began at the start of the year.

A second straight month of expansion gave U.S. manufacturing a meaningful boost in February 2026. ISM and S&P Global data pointed to continued growth, healthier order activity, and stronger optimism, even as the pace moderated from January. Tariff-related price spikes, export weakness, weather disruptions, and a 29th consecutive month of employment contraction highlighted the sector’s underlying fragility.

Still, major investments from Johnson & Johnson, Pratt & Whitney, Applied Optoelectronics, and Apple underscored rising confidence in domestic manufacturing capacity despite near-term uncertainty.

Upshot: Employment remained in contraction for the 29th consecutive month, though the backlog of orders expanded sharply to 56.6 percent and optimism hit an eight-month high — both positive signals if demand conditions hold.

FROM THE FEED

📱Inside the World of Biomanufacturing

🤨Did You Know?

The biotech market is expected to grow from $1.74T in 2025 to

$5.04T by 2034,

with an annual growth rate of 12.5%.

^{Source: Investopedia}

🎧 Podcasts Worth A Listen