Manufacturing is a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and dynamic environment, and the supply chain is at its heart. For small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), navigating the complexities of the supply chain often feels like a high-stakes balancing act.

Geopolitical risk is emerging as one of the greatest challenges facing domestic and international business today. It has risen from a boardroom issue to one drawing the awareness and attention of both personnel and the general public.

The U.S. manufacturing industry is evolving at a rapid pace, driven by new technologies, smarter supply chains, and an increasingly dynamic workforce. This year, small manufacturers will face a mix of opportunities and challenges as they navigate these changes.

In recent years, reshoring—the process of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.—has gained momentum. Companies are reevaluating their offshore supply chains, driven by rising costs, geopolitical risks, and supply chain disruptions.

Cash is king for manufacturers, from the owner down to the machine operators. If you visit any manufacturer, you’ll see that most have a keen eye on how everything is being used.

Quality management has evolved far beyond traditional checklists and periodic inspections. For complex supply chains, quality is no longer a static endpoint.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum across a vast array of fields. Nearly everyone has tried or actively uses a form of AI, whether for personal or professional purposes.

New research co-authored by University of Pennsylvania academics challenges a core assumption in economics: That the most successful companies achieve their dominance purely through superior productivity.

Paul was sitting in his office staring at production numbers from the past quarter. Despite having a great team, strong customer demand, and state-of-the-art equipment, the factory’s performance wasn’t meeting expectations.

_It was another busy morning at the monthly operations meeting. Lindsay, the operations manager at TechElectronics, a growing manufacturer of consumer electronics, called the meeting to order.