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

America’s manufacturing sector showed both momentum and tension last week. Factory activity rose in August, with new orders and output expanding, yet labor headlines reminded us of fragility—GE Aerospace workers authorized a strike while Union Pacific’s maintenance crews ratified a deal. Policy was equally decisive: the Commerce Department expanded steel and aluminum tariffs to more than 400 product categories, while enforcement tightened on forced labor-linked imports. Meanwhile, DOE announced nearly $1B for critical minerals, paired with SINBON’s new Ohio facility—evidence that reshoring is gaining real traction.

Our headlines of the week highlight further large investments across industry sectors as well as an insightful take from a leading economist.

This week’s first podcast, from The Manufacturing Executive, highlights AI as a partner on the factory floor. The second podcast, from The Manufacturing Report, dives into a family team of American glasses manufacturers.

Our Social Video and Fun Fact showcase the achievements and potential of the American steel industry.

Thanks for joining us!

⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

• J&J to invest $2 billion to boost US manufacturing [Reuters]

• ePropelled Meeting Rising Demand for Drone Components [Drone Life]

• Abbott's $500M investment in US manufacturing [Today’s Medical Developments]

• Rural America is in Crisis, says leading economist [Fortune]

• Philips to invest over $150M in U.S. manufacturing and R&D [The Manufacturer]

COMMENTARY

♨️ Reshoring Gains Momentum as Policy Meets Production

America’s manufacturing sector entered the week with a mix of momentum and tension—a reminder that the nation’s industrial future depends on how policy, workforce, and production align.

This week’s report highlights how trade, labor, and investment are reshaping U.S. manufacturing. Tariffs now cover over 400 new product categories, critical minerals funding approaches $1B, and factory output continues to climb.

At the same time, labor dynamics—from a potential GE Aerospace strike to a new Union Pacific agreement—underscore the human element driving resilience. Together, these developments reflect an industry where policy, production, and people are tightly linked.

Upshot: America’s manufacturing renaissance depends not only on policy and investment but also on maintaining a stable, engaged workforce.

FROM THE FEED

📱We recycle more steel than plastic

🤨Did You Know?

The US steel industry produces

106 million tons

of steel annually.

^{Source: Boyd Metals}

🎧 Podcasts Worth A Listen