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💴 This Week in Manufacturing

The year is slowly heating up as we head into spring, just like the manufacturing sector. This month’s industry report is a clear sign of progress amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade. Let’s dive in!

The February monthly industry review and report highlight a sector emerging with modest strength but on fragile legs. The PMI climbed to 52.7 up from 50.9 in January–a definite measure of growth with the highest PMI value since mid-2022. Additionally, companies such as Apple and TSMC have made major investments in domestic manufacturing. Green means go everyone!

This week’s headlines run the gamut on innovative domestic investments such as transformer production, defense against cyber attacks, a US solar supply chain, and more!

Next, this week’s podcasts cover different ways that companies have learned to adapt to changing circumstances (The Manufacturing Report) and drive innovation in difficult times (Heavy Hitters).

Finally, our Social Video and Fun Fact each explore different opportunities for continued growth in the domestic EV grid.

Thanks for joining us!

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⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

• Hitachi Energy addressing global transformer shortage [Financial Post]

• Unifying IT and OT in U.S. manufacturing [Smart Industry]

• February manufacturing industry data review [CompanyWeek]

• 3D Printing Antennas, Factories, and Rockets in Space [3DPrint.com]

• Corning, Suniva and Heliene form US solar supply chain [Utility Dive]

• Sustainment Launches Supply Chain Assessment [Sustainment]

• SBA Launches New ‘Made in America’ Manufacturing Initiative [ASI]

MONTHLY REVIEW

♨️ US Manufacturing Insights - February

U.S. manufacturing showed cautious strength in February 2025, continuing a modest expansion trend amid a complex economic backdrop.

The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 50.3%, signaling slight growth, though it actually eased from 50.9% in January. Notably, January had been the ISM index’s first move into expansion territory since October 2022. Even with the uncertain nature of upcoming economic policies, these improvements are real, if fragile. February’s expansion, while welcome, should be interpreted carefully—it does not yet signal a robust upswing, but rather a fragile stabilization buoyed by one-off factors.

Additionally, February saw a flurry of major manufacturing investment announcements spanning high-tech electronics, automotive supply chain, consumer goods, and more.

Upshot: Industry professionals should plan for a bumpy short ride but keep focus on the long game, where opportunities in a restructured and reinvigorated U.S. manufacturing landscape are abundant.

FROM THE FEED

📱EVs and the US electric grid

🤨Did You Know?

The global energy storage system market is forecast to grow at a

CAGR of 9%

between 2024 and 2031.

^{Source: Statista}

🎧 Podcasts Worth A Listen

CompanyWeek is the voice of the modern manufacturing economy, telling stories of U.S. Manufacturers to showcase workers, innovation, technology, and progress.