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U.S. consumers looking for the least expensive new vehicle option are facing both bad and good news.The bad news is that the U.S. market no longer has a new vehicle with an average MSRP below $20,000. According to Kelley Blue Book, the all-but-gone Mitsubishi Mirage was the last hope. The good news is that the new cheapest car, the Nissan Versa, carries a fairly reasonable MSRP of $22,315. But the other bad news is that the Versa is dead.As Kelley points out, Nissan reportedly ended production of the Versa in December. Josh Clifton, senior product communications manager for the automaker, revealed to The Drive that the Versa died so Nissan's product strategy could live.#CarPrices, #AutoIndustry, #NissanVersa, #MitsubishiMirage, #KelleyBlueBook, #CoxAutomotive, #CarMarket, #NewCars, #AffordableCars, #AutomotiveNews, #CarBuyers, #CompactSUV, #VehicleMSRP, #CarInflation, #AutoTrends

Nearly two years after its workers voted to establish one of the first unions at an auto factory in the South, employees at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have approved their first contract.The United Auto Workers union announced Thursday that 96% of workers at the Chattanooga plant voted in favor of the deal, which was hashed out over months of often slow-moving talks between the union and the German automaker. It reportedly includes immediate bonuses of more than $6,500, a 20% wage increase over the life of the four-year contract, job security benefits, and cuts of at least 20% in health care premiums.#Volkswagen, #VWChattanooga, #UAW, #UnionContract, #AutoWorkers, #ManufacturingNews, #LaborNews, #UnionVictory, #CollectiveBargaining, #AutoIndustry, #USManufacturing, #Chattanooga, #TennesseeJobs, #WageIncrease, #JobSecurity, #SouthernManufacturing, #WorkforceNews, #ElectricVehicles, #ID4, #AtlasSUV, #IndustrialNews, #Unionization

Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast where I talk to young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer.For this episode, I welcome Colton Harnar, a 29-year-old CNC programmer for SendCutSend, an on-demand, custom sheet metal and CNC machining manufacturing company. Harnar has been in the machining industry for 10 years and CNC programming for five years. He started as an entry level CNC operator in a shop at a foundry, gained experience with more involved and complicated setup work and later learned how to program. His current position consists of CNC programming for mainly 5-axis milling machines, implementing and improving processes and dialing in new tools and machines.

One of the nation's largest brewers says it expects tariffs on the aluminum used in its cans to dent its profits this year.Molson Coors said in its latest financial results that an 8.1% jump in its average cost of goods sold in the quarter, in part, reflected increases in the U.S. Midwest aluminum premium, and noted that commodity inflation would continue to affect profitability this year. Company officials estimated at an industry conference Wednesday that aluminum costs would impact profit by about $125 million, Reuters reported.#MolsonCoors, #AluminumTariffs, #Tariffs, #AluminumPrices, #CommodityInflation, #BeerIndustry, #ManufacturingCosts, #BusinessNews, #CorporateEarnings, #SupplyChain, #Inflation, #USManufacturing, #MetalsMarket, #TradePolicy, #EconomicNews, #BeverageIndustry, #CostOfGoodsSold, #ProfitMargins, #Reuters, #MillerLite, #Peroni, #Vizzy

The State of Texas filed a lawsuit against Darling Ingredients, accusing the company of illegally emitting odors and air contaminants from its rendering facility near Austin, Texas. The complaint noted that the smells can be detected up to 10 miles away, with some described as resembling “boiling blood and death.”Founded in 1882 and based in Irving, Texas, Darling Ingredients converts materials from animal agriculture and food industries into ingredients for animal and human consumption, crop fertilization and aviation fuel. The company operates over 260 facilities across more than 15 countries.The facility targeted in the lawsuit processes used cooking grease and chicken byproducts like meat, fat, bone and feathers. The site consists of two buildings: a processing plant and a feather plant.According to the suit, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has received nearly 1,440 complaints regarding Darling Ingredients' facility since May 2024, with hundreds coming in the last three months. Reported health effects include nausea, headaches, vomiting and burning throats and eyes. One resident described the smell as “festering dog vomit on fire” and indicated that they would rather smell burning tires.#DarlingIngredients, #Texas, #EnvironmentalLawsuit, #AirPollution, #TCEQ, #EnvironmentalCompliance, #IndustrialEmissions, #RenderingPlant, #ManufacturingNews, #EnvironmentalNews, #PublicHealth, #HydrogenSulfide, #OdorComplaint, #WasteProcessing, #Agribusiness, #FoodProcessing, #RegulatoryNews, #Sustainability, #IndustrialRegulation, #AustinTexas, #AirQuality, #IndustryNews

Last month, Conn-Selmer – a manufacturer that's said to be the last to produce brass musical instruments in the United States – announced that it would be closing its plant in Eastlake, Ohio.And while it's not exactly an unfamiliar story, this situation has a bit of an interesting twist: the production is reportedly going to a Conn-Selmer plant in China, and the company's owner, John Paulson, has been an outspoken critic of offshoring.On the line are 150 union jobs and Conn-Selmer workers, members of UAW Local 2359, are predicted to lose their positions at the end of June. According to the union, they'd planned to bargain a new contract last month when, instead, they were told the plant would close. Leaders called it “a slap in the face.”A recent report by the BBC cited union workers who claimed Conn-Selmer has had a plan in the works for a while. They said the company opened a new facility in China last year and the Ohio plant's workload gradually began to shift overseas – even though workers were allegedly told that the China plant would not have an impact on the U.S. factory's workload.#ConnSelmer, #ManufacturingNews, #Offshoring, #USManufacturing, #MadeInUSA, #FactoryClosure, #UnionJobs, #UAW, #OhioManufacturing, #BrassInstruments, #MusicIndustry, #JobLoss, #LaborNews, #SupplyChain, #ChinaManufacturing, #IndustrialNews, #AmericanJobs, #EconomicNews, #PlantClosure, #ManufacturingIndustry, #CNBC, #BBCNews

The U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona is filled with all manner of things that can seriously hurt or kill a person. And the U.S. military would really appreciate it if people would stop trespassing there.The giant desert training facility, which was formed by General George S. Patton during World War II, is used as a test center for just about every piece of equipment used in ground combat. The 1,300-square-mile facility is well marked with warning signs about trespassing but Sgt. Gregory Harper of the YPG Conservation Law Enforcement Agency said that doesn't always stop hikers and other desert wanderers.He said, “There are a good handful of people that I run into out there that are genuinely good people. They are cooperative and their intent isn't bad, but that won't protect them from the hazards on our ranges.”Those hazards include environmental factors like desert heat and potentially dangerous wildlife as well as limited infrastructure, making cell calls difficult if trouble arises.#USArmy, #YumaProvingGround, #MilitaryNews, #DefenseNews, #ArmyTraining, #MilitaryTesting, #UnexplodedOrdnance, #PublicSafety, #DesertHazards, #Arizona, #NationalSecurity, #MilitaryTechnology, #RangeSafety, #Trespassing, #CombatTesting, #Artillery, #MilitaryRange, #LaserTechnology, #DefenseIndustry, #GovernmentNews, #MilitaryWarning

The State of Texas filed a lawsuit against industrial waste recycler Global Fiberglass Solutions for illegally compiling approximately 3,000 wind turbine blades and parts at two disposal sites in Sweetwater, Texas. The lawsuit claims that Global and other entities violated the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act and Texas Water Code.Court documents state that Global, a Texas corporation with a principal place of business in Washington, is hired by companies to break down, transport and recycle turbine blades. However, the company allegedly failed to properly dispose of the waste and instead created a stockpile of nearly 487,000 cubic yards of solid waste.#Texas, #WindEnergy, #WindTurbines, #RenewableEnergy, #RecyclingIndustry, #EnvironmentalCompliance, #TCEQ, #SolidWaste, #IndustrialWaste, #Lawsuit, #EnvironmentalLaw, #Sustainability, #EnergyIndustry, #ManufacturingNews, #RegulatoryNews, #CleanEnergy, #WasteManagement, #WaterCode, #GreenEnergy, #EnvironmentalInvestigation, #GlobalFiberglassSolutions

Cargill says it plans to shut down its beef plant in Milwaukee and lay off more than 200 workers amid turmoil in the U.S. beef industry.Reuters reports that the agribusiness giant notified Wisconsin officials that it intends to halt production at the facility in mid-April and close it entirely at the end of May. The move would affect 221 workers, although some could shift to a nearby plant in suburban Butler, Wisconsin — one of seven other Cargill facilities in the Badger State.Cargill indicated in the filing that shutting the plant would “better align” its portfolio with demand, as well as prioritize the company's investments.#Cargill, #BeefIndustry, #MeatProcessing, #FoodManufacturing, #Agribusiness, #ManufacturingNews, #PlantClosure, #Layoffs, #Wisconsin, #Milwaukee, #SupplyChain, #FoodIndustry, #GroundBeef, #USManufacturing, #AgricultureNews, #BeefPrices, #CattleIndustry, #DroughtImpact, #JBS, #TysonFoods, #IndustryNews, #ManufacturingNow

The world's second-largest brewer says it plans to combat a sluggish beer market by using technology to make its operations more efficient — and, in turn, slash thousands of jobs.Heineken, which announced its latest financial results Wednesday, said that it expects to cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs over the next two years — amounting to up to 7% of the Dutch brewer's global workforce.Company officials indicated that some of the cuts would stem from previously announced cost-cutting efforts in its main office, regional operations and supply chain, while others, Reuters reported, would focus on Europe and “non-priority markets” that have lower growth prospects for the company.The company's top executive told CNBC that Heineken aims to achieve up to $600 million in annual savings, and that “technology digitization in general, and AI specifically,” would be an important component of those efforts.Heineken and other leading brewers have faced growing challenges to demand on a number of fronts in recent years, from the rise of other beverage categories to increasing health concerns about alcohol to, of late, tightened consumer spending.Heineken indicated that beer volumes were down 2.4% last year, although its adjusted operating profit rose by a better-than-expected 4.4%. The company expects profit growth of between 2% and 6% this year.The announcement also comes as Heineken seeks a new chief executive: Dolf van den Brink announced unexpectedly last month that he would step down after nearly six years at the helm.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has opened an investigation into a fatal chemical release at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville, Maine.On January 27, 2026, 20-year old intern Kasie Malcolm, a chemical engineering student at the University of Maine, was killed and nine other workers were injured when a highly toxic gas was released into the facility. Two employees were also seriously hurt, one still remains hospitalized, according to the CSB. Based on initial information Woodland Pulp sent to the CSB, the industrial accident may have involved concentrated sulfuric acid mixing with sulfurous compounds in an enclosed process sewer. The mix likely created the hydrogen sulfide, which was released into the bleach plant area of the mill.

The race for the first viable driverless taxi fleet is still moving forward at a rapid pace, with players like Tesla and Waymo generating regular headlines highlighting the good and the bad.And though the vision is there, the technology that's being tested now in a handful of American cities is not perfect just yet.Recent reports point to comments made by Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, regarding the degree of independence his company's autonomous vehicles really offer.In an early February Congressional hearing, lawmakers grilled Waymo and Tesla executives on the future of autonomous vehicles.During the meeting, Waymo's Peña was pressed on the firm's use of foreign workers and technology, and the extent to which Waymo was using foreign assistance came as a bit of a surprise: the company is apparently using workers in the Philippines to remotely “fix” stumped autonomous vehicles on their routes.Peña stressed that the humans in question do not remotely operate the vehicles fully, rather they “provide guidance” – a clarification that didn't quell the concerns of some lawmakers, including Massachusetts senator Ed Markey, who said “having people overseas influencing American vehicles is a safety issue.” Additional concerns raised in the hearing were those of cybersecurity and, of course, the offshoring of jobs.Markey added, “It's one thing when a taxi is replaced by an Uber or a Lyft. It's another thing when the jobs just go completely overseas.”#AutonomousVehicles, #DriverlessCars, #Robotaxi, #Waymo, #Tesla, #SelfDriving, #AI, #ArtificialIntelligence, #TechNews, #TransportationTech, #FutureOfTransportation, #Mobility, #AVSafety, #Cybersecurity, #RemoteWork, #Offshoring, #USCongress, #TechPolicy, #Regulation, #StartupNews, #VentureCapital, #SmartCities

A proposed merger between two of the largest packaged ice companies in the U.S. has been met with a list of divestiture requirements from the U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division.https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-requires-reddy-ice-divest-assets-proceed-proposed-acquisition-arcticReddy Ice, the biggest bagged ice manufacturer in the U.S., is looking to acquire Arctic Glacier, the country's third largest packaged ice maker, for $126 million. The two companies combined sell ice across more than half of U.S. states and generate more than $800 million in combined annual revenue.It's a mammoth deal with the potential to create a bagged ice monopoly. So, the DOJ is stepping in with stipulations, largely focused on ice sold to retail chains in Oregon, Washington and parts of southern California, along with packaged ice sold to airlines and airline caterers in the Boston and New York City metropolitan areas.#Antitrust, #DOJ, #JusticeDepartment, #MergerNews, #Acquisition, #ManufacturingNews, #FoodIndustry, #PackagedIce, #ReddyIce, #ArcticGlacier, #Monopoly, #CompetitionLaw, #BusinessNews, #IndustryNews, #SupplyChain, #RetailIndustry, #AirlineCatering, #ConsumerPrices, #Regulation, #CorporateNews, #USManufacturing, #MergersAndAcquisitions

It's hard out there for any automaker dealing with tariffs, development costs, consumer sentiment and a muted shift to electric vehicles – and luxury carmakers are not exempt.A new report suggests that Porsche's cost cutting efforts may be so aggressive that the luxury automaker could kill two brand new models before they've even left the building.At issue are the all-electric Cayman and 718 Boxer, models that Carscoops says were “meant to define Porsche's future” but might soon fall victim to soaring costs and shifting market dynamics.In 2022, under the oversight of then-CEO Oliver Blume, Porsche announced an ambitious goal: 80% or more of its new vehicles would be all-electric by 2030.As we know, in a few short years a lot has changed. And while Porsche was sunsetting the ICE versions of the 718 Boxer and Cayman and developing the new electric ones, it began struggling with mounting costs and delays.https://www.ien.com/product-development/video/22959886/porsche-may-kill-these-2-models-before-they-even-hit-the-market#Porsche, #PorscheEV, #ElectricVehicles, #EVNews, #AutoIndustry, #LuxuryCars, #CarNews, #AutomotiveNews, #ElectricCars, #Cayman, #718Boxster, #PorscheCayman, #Porsche718, #EVMarket, #AutoTariffs, #CarManufacturing, #SupplyChain, #BatteryShortage, #Northvolt, #FutureOfCars, #EVTransition, #AutoBusiness, #Bloomberg, #Carscoops

Forty-nine workers are set to lose their jobs when The Campbell's Company closes a plant in the Massachusetts town of Hyannis this spring.And with it, the region will lose production of the snack staple that bears its name – the  Cape Cod chips have been made at the Hyannis plant since 1985 though, over time, the factory volume of this location has declined to just 4% of the overall output of these potato chips for Campbell's.#CampbellsCompany, #CapeCodChips, #ManufacturingNews, #PlantClosure, #FactoryShutdown, #JobLosses, #FoodManufacturing, #SnackIndustry, #USManufacturing, #Massachusetts, #HyannisMA, #EconomicImpact, #ManufacturingJobs, #SupplyChain, #CorporateNews

Many have tried, but no one has quite perfected the solar car.The average vehicle spends most – or all – of its time outside, either in use or parked, and with more than 6 million electric vehicles now present on American roads, many auto companies have been captivated by the prospect of capturing the energy of the sun to provide a boost in range.One of those is Nissan, which recently unveiled a concept that pairs its all-electric Ariya model with solar panels. Nissan says the project hopes to target the ambitious question that many have posed over the years: what if electric vehicles could charge themselves?Unveiled in time for Clean Energy Day in January, the concept features an array of flat photovoltaic panels on the Ariya's hood, liftgate and roof – visible to the eye, but not adding bulk. #Nissan, #ElectricVehicles, #SolarCar, #EVTechnology, #CleanEnergy, #RenewableEnergy, #AutomotiveInnovation, #FutureOfMobility, #SustainableTransportation, #EVCharging, #SolarPanels, #GreenTechnology, #AutoIndustry, #ConceptCars, #EVAdoption, #EnergyEfficiency, #ClimateTech, #IndustryTrends

John Deere announced that it would recall 99 laid-off employees to its facilities in eastern Iowa. The workers will report to the machinery manufacturer's Davenport and Dubuque Works sites starting in mid-February.The decision came one day after President Donald Trump announced in Clive, Iowa, that John Deere planned to establish a parts distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and add an excavator factory to its campus in Kernersville, North Carolina. Scheduled to open next year, the company expects the projects to create hundreds of jobs.#JohnDeere, #ManufacturingJobs, #FactoryRecall, #USManufacturing, #IowaManufacturing, #HeavyEquipment, #ConstructionEquipment, #ForestryEquipment, #IndustrialNews, #ManufacturingNews, #Workforce, #SkilledTrades, #JobGrowth, #EquipmentManufacturing, #SupplyChain, #MidwestManufacturing, #EconomicImpact, #IndustryTrends

https://www.ien.com/video/video/22959460/honda-gm-to-end-us-manufacturing-joint-venture-this-yearHonda said earlier this month that it reached a decision with General Motors to discontinue their Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) joint venture by the end of 2026, bringing nearly a decade of collaboration to a close.The Japanese company's announcement comes a few months after GM said the joint venture would stop producing hydrogen fuel cells for data centers and power generation. While the American automaker acknowledged hydrogen's potential for high-demand industrial applications, it called the path to a sustainable fuel cell business “long and uncertain”—citing high costs and limited U.S. infrastructure that hinder consumer adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles.

https://www.ien.com/video/video/22959340/volkswagen-chief-puts-plans-for-us-audi-factory-on-iceIn spring of 2025, after a flurry of tariffs were announced, foreign automakers were in crisis mode. Among them was Volkswagen, a German company with a substantial US footprint for some brands, such as VW, but a non-existent one for others, like Audi.Specifically, Audi vehicles have thus far been produced at plants in both Germany and Mexico. Due to the April tariffs proposed on foreign-made vehicles, VW suggested at the time that perhaps an Audi production base on US soil was in the cards. It was never certain whether this US-made Audi would mean a new factory or simply adding production capabilities at an existing plant: this could be VW's Tennessee manufacturing compound or a new factory currently being built in South Carolina to manufacture the Scout line. A June report even suggested that Audi was considering building a greenfield site in the south with a price tag north of $4 billion, though the company didn't confirm these details, choosing to say, instead, that it was continuing to evaluate its options.But right now, none of these options are looking good. VW CEO Oliver Blume recently told German media outlet Handelsblatt that plans for a potential US factory for Audi are not progressing.Blume said the prospect is too expensive based on the added cost burden Volkswagen has taken on with tariffs – a shift that has cost the automaker a reported $2.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2025. Talks between VW and local officials were also said to have been unsuccessful – meaning no additional financial incentives for a potential factory project or expansion had been established.Said Blume, “Given an unchanged tariff burden, large additional investment cannot be funded,” adding: “Reduction of costs in the short term and reliable business conditions in the long term are what we need.”Blume believes VW can still grow its U.S. business, but as evidence of its changing expectations, the company walked back a previously stated goal of capturing 10% market share in the United States, and will instead pursue more gradual progress.#Volkswagen, #Audi, #AutoIndustry, #AutomotiveNews, #ManufacturingNews, #Tariffs, #USTradePolicy, #ForeignAutomakers, #USManufacturing, #AutoManufacturing, #ElectricVehicles, #GlobalSupplyChain, #FactoryExpansion, #GreenfieldProject, #EconomicImpact, #AutomotiveMarket, #OEMs, #IndustryTrends

Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast where I talk to young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer.For this episode, I welcome Bailey Olmschenk, a 27-year-old director of solutions engineering at Prometheus Group, a company that develops AI-powered EAM software for plants and facilities.Olmschenk's career began with a series of engineering internships and over two years as a process engineer at consulting firm Stantec. In 2023, she joined Prometheus as a solutions engineer and was recently promoted to her current leadership position, where she focuses on making AI accessible to workers who do not traditionally rely on the technology.In this episode, Olmschenk discusses:(:59) Why Gen Z chooses where they want to live before they choose where they want to work(4:57) Green flags young people look for when it comes to technology(8:03) How Gen Z can fill knowledge gaps for maintenance(10:45) Upskilling workers with AI tools

Last October, Polaris announced the sale of its Indian Motorcycle business to a California-based private equity firm.The Minnesota-based company has owned the nearly 125-year-old motorcycle maker since 2011 and has given it a new lease on life. When Polaris struck a deal with Carolwood LP, CEO Mike Speetzen said both Polaris, which will hold onto a small stake in the company, and Indian stood to benefit from the deal.According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the sale is expected in Q1, and Polaris has been forced to make some tough choices as a result.

Gathr Outdoors announced plans to permanently close its Pride Manufacturing production and support facilities in Maine, according to a release sent to IEN by attorney Peter Bennett. A WARN Notice showed the shutdown at the factory, which makes Lincoln Logs, cigar tips and golf tees, will eliminate 115 jobs.The release stated that the closure results from a “significant shift in customer demand” that rendered the facility “economically unsustainable.” The Portland Press Herald reported that Pride paid roughly $200,000 in annual taxes, primarily driven by property and equipment, according to Burnham Select Board member Rick Basford.The New York Post cited the facility's owner, Centre Partners Management, which said the impending closure stems from a cigar maker moving its sourcing for cigar tips. The firm stated that the lost contract left the site “financially unviable.” 

The next time you board a flight, it will be with the knowledge that a humanoid robot may have helped build the airplane.Airbus, Boeing's primary rival in producing passenger aircraft, has reached a deal with China-based robotics company UBTech. According to Bloomberg, the aerospace company wants to have UBTech's Walker S2 bots, which stand about 5' 9” tall, integrated into production lines.UBTech says the Walker S2 is specifically designed for applications like industrial manufacturing and warehouse and logistics. The bot comes with lots of fairly common features like dexterous hands, flexible design, and enhanced perception and awareness. But what sets the Walker S2 apart from its humanoid contemporaries is its battery-swapping ability. The bot can walk over to a charging station when it's low on juice and pop in a fresh battery in a matter of minutes, resulting in very little production downtime.

A salsa and hot sauce company in Iowa has sued a contract manufacturer over a series of alleged quality control issues in recent years — including hot sauce bottles that reportedly exploded.Lola's Fine Sauces, which began at farmer's markets and now sells in many of the nation's top grocery chains, partnered with Canadian manufacturer EcoIdeas Innovation in 2023 for production of "mini bottles” of salsa, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.#ManufacturingNow, #foodmanufacturing , #hotsauce , #foodsafety , #qualitycontrol , #productrecall , #supplychain , #contractmanufacturing , #CPGNews, #foodindustry , #lawsuit , #manufacturingnews , #retailnews , #WalmartNews #canada #walmart #hotsauce

A pair of drivers filed a class action lawsuit against Nissan, alleging that its Rogue vehicle's rear windshields can spontaneously explode while parked and in motion, causing shards of glass to fly through the cars. The complaint claimed that Nissan knew about the defect in 2021 to 2025 Rogue vehicles but failed to notify owners or initiate a recall.The lawsuit states that the rear windshields can fail before the end of the expected lifespan and within the vehicles' three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. However, multiple drivers said Nissan refuses to cover repairs, claiming the damage results from ordinary wear and tear.

A Massachusetts-based concrete company has agreed to pay a large fine after multiple safety standard violations resulted in a worker being crushed to death.According to the U.S. Justice Department, John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete was using a large soil screener with a tail conveyer that could be placed in a vertical closed position or opened to an approximate 45-degree angle. The complaint alleges that on several occasions, the conveyor closed unexpectedly, resulting in a ruptured hydraulic pressure line.

A year ago, the deadly Eaton wildfire spread through Southern California, destroying more than 9,000 buildings in its path. Among them was the family home of Grammy-nominated artist Aloe Blacc and about 6,000 others just in Altadena. When it came time to rebuild, Blacc worked with LiveLarge Home, a California-based company that makes factory-built, single-family homes designed to survive wildfires. Prefab homes can shorten construction timelines and prioritize structural resilience. Blacc was able to wake up just five months after beginning the project to a new home in Altadena. 

An investigation into a Chinese factory that manufactures the popular Labubu toys alleged several labor rights violations, including underage employment, blank contracts, overtime schedules above legal limits and “unrealistic” production targets.China Labor Watch (CLW), an independent U.S.-based civil and social organization, conducted the investigation at a Shunjia Toys facility that makes Labubu toys for Chinese designer toy company Pop Mart. The probe featured interviews with 51 employees, including workers from the assembly, machine sewing, hand sewing and injection molding departments.

The automaker will phase out its plug-in program with model year 2026, killing not only the Wrangler but also the Jeep Cherokee 4xe and the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV.Despite this change, Stellantis says it will still be focused on electrification, rather, more competitive offerings. These include, according to the company, non plug-in hybrids and “range-extended” electrics – which are still in development.

New Hampshire's House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would make “hard labor” a sentencing option for certain prisoners. According to the legislation, such labor would include manufacturing or assembling work that requires “significant physical exertion,” intended to serve as “punitive retribution and societal deterrence.” The bill stated that the sentence would apply in the case of a conviction involving capital murder and serious sexual assaults on children. It requires an affirmative vote of at least nine jurors in a 12-person jury. If imposed, the defendant would face life imprisonment at hard labor without parole.

Semitrailer and truck body manufacturer Wabash National Corporation announced plans to idle two facilities in Little Falls, Minnesota, and Goshen, Indiana. The company expects the actions to result in approximately 270 layoffs.A Wabash SEC filing mentioned 56 job cuts in Minnesota and 214 in Indiana. WARN Notices revealed that impacted positions will include maintenance and production coordinators, machine operators, assemblers and welders — with the latter two accounting for 83 of the affected employees in Indiana. The Minnesota WARN Notice did not disclose the number of workers by role.

https://www.ien.com/operations/video/22957901/aerospace-firm-pays-15m-for-pushing-shoddy-ejection-seat-partsTeledyne Electronic Safety Products (Teledyne ESP), an aerospace and defense electronics company based in Chatsworth, California, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle allegations it sold parts to the Department of Defense that were not up to contract specifications.The firm's False Claims Act violations can be traced back to the manufacture of Digital Recovery Sequencer (DRS) units used in ejection seat systems. The devices, which were developed to replace the Analog Recovery Sequencer used in similar systems on F-15, F-16, F-22, A10, B-1B and B-2 aircraft, are critical. They precisely sequence functions including pilot escape, seat stabilization and parachute deployment.

U.S. Steel faces a lawsuit from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after the company allegedly took unlawful action against a pregnant worker who suffered a miscarriage after months of work assignments inconsistent with her doctor's restrictions. The complaint claims that U.S. Steel violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by failing to provide the employee with “reasonable accommodations.” The commission noted that the individual began working for U.S. Steel in 2012 and, since about 2018, had worked as a mobile equipment operator at the company's Minntac mine near Mountain Iron, Minnesota. The suit added that she typically operated a cleanup loader and served as a “fill-in” team lead leading up to her pregnancy around August 2023.The worker informed her immediate coworkers about her pregnancy around August and, later, her shift manager in October. She provided a doctor's note that said she could not operate heavy machinery, tracked vehicles or production trucks for the rest of the pregnancy. U.S. Steel allegedly responded by placing her on short-term sickness and accident leave for about a month without consulting her, while work within her restrictions reportedly remained available. 

On Christmas morning in 2023, the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was on its way from Vietnam to California, navigating through heavy weather in the North Pacific Ocean while carrying massive lithium-ion batteries, when a fire broke out in the cargo hold. The crew put out the fire, but then, three days later, as the ship sought refuge at the nearest port in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, another fire started in a second cargo hold. The crew was able to fight the fire, and it was put out the next day. No one was injured, but the incidents aboard the 410-foot-long Genius Star XI caused some $3.8 million in property damage. According to a recent NTSB report, the probable cause of the two fires was improperly secured lashing belts.

Low earth orbit is a vast place, but that doesn't mean it's empty.And as countries across the globe are increasingly using this space for connectivity and research, satellite populations are skyrocketing – and we may witness some close calls.It was recently revealed that a SpaceX satellite nearly collided with another, unexpected satellite, the source of which is still not fully understood.According to SpaceX VP of engineering Michael Nicholls, a SpaceX satellite encountered another satellite that had been launched sometime in the previous 48 hours from China's CAS Space.Nicholls said “no coordination or deconfliction with existing satellites operating in space was performed” by CAS Space and that the two spacecraft came within 200 meters of one another. As tech reporter Nicholas Werner pointed out, “in space terms, they basically high-fived.”

Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast where I talk to young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer.For this episode, I welcome Gabe Schulze, a 25-year-old industrial engineer at Path Machining + Automation.Schulze holds a bachelor's and master's in industrial engineering and has worked for Path Machining for just over one year. At the company, Schulze leads initiatives to optimize CNC machining operations, implement standardized processes and improve unattended shift performance. His role includes CNC programming, process capability studies, tooling strategy and data-driven problem solving.

Another community filed a lawsuit against a group of fire truck manufacturers, alleging a price-fixing conspiracy that forced cities and fire departments to overpay for their vehicles. The latest legal action comes from the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and targets REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation, Pierce Manufacturing (owned by Oshkosh) and Rosenbauer America.The city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, filed the first lawsuit in August, claiming that the aforementioned companies conspired to restrict supply and drive up fire truck prices and that inflation alone does not explain the increases. Other entities with cases include Onalaska, Wisconsin, and fire departments in Pennsylvania, Maine and New York. Ann Arbor's filing claims that the companies control up to 80% of the fire truck market and that their alleged conspiracy contributed to prices doubling over the past decade, while also extending delivery times from 18 months to four years. The argument echoed La Crosse's case from August, which stated that a fire truck priced at $500,000 in the mid-2010s now costs about $1 million, while specialized units that once sold for $900,000 now exceed $2 million. 

Earlier this week, Ford scrapped the fully-electric F-150 Lightning and pivoted away from aggressive EV plans after losing $13 billion on the category since 2023.As consumer demand wanes and the company plans to take another $19.5 billion hit in Q4, Ford is shifting gears toward extended-range gas-powered vehicles and hybrids.The ripple effects throughout the supply chain will be far-reaching, including its $6.5 billion deal with LG Energy Solutions to make some 500,000 batteries per year. According to recent regulatory filings, that deal has been scrapped.

About two weeks ago, I was on a plane in Minneapolis that touched down a bit later than scheduled. As soon as that seat belt light turned off, a line of anxious passengers with tight, some impossible, connections, smashed into the center aisle. Some would make it, some would not, and maybe if this odd Mazda concept from the 1990s made it to market, everyone would have made their flights. 

Volkswagen announced that it plans to establish a research hub at its Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany. The company noted that this realignment will phase out vehicle production at the site by the end of the year — marking the automaker's first plant closure in Germany, according to the New York Times.Transparent Factory Dresden, famous for its glass walls, opened in 2001 and began producing Volkswagen's ID.3 electric vehicles in 2021. The company plans to dismantle the ID.3 production line in January, with the first joint research projects with the Technical University of Dresden beginning in mid-2026 and regular operations scheduled for 2027. 

Anhueser-Busch's U.S. brewing footprint will soon be reduced by three facilities in moves that will impact more than 400 workers, according to reports.The brewer of Bud Light and Michelob Ultra has sold its plant in Newark, New Jersey, to property developer the Goodman Group, and will close down other breweries in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Fairfield, California, early next year.A company spokesman said that the production at those plants will be moved to its other U.S. breweries, and that the moves would allow it to “invest even more” in its remaining operations. The brewer has touted a $300 million dollar spending push at its U.S. facilities in recent months, including updates at hubs in Georgia, upstate New York, Houston and its flagship St. Louis brewery, among others.The some 475 workers at the affected plants will be offered full-time positions at other Anheuser-Busch facilities, the company said, along with relocation stipends and training.Each of the facilities set for closure, however, date back decades in their respective cities. The Fairfield and Merrimack breweries were established 49 and 54 years ago, respectively, while the Newark brewery, established in 1951, is Anheuser-Busch's oldest outside St. Louis.

On Monday, OSHA announced more than $986,000 in safety violations for the largest transformer manufacturer in North America.​According to the U.S. Labor Department, OSHA inspectors visited Virginia Transformer Corp.'s (VTC) plant in Pocatello, Idaho, in June 2025. The visit was a follow-up after a pair of inspections last year found cranes used to handle heavy loads with faulty brakes and switches.

A former plant worker received an eight-year prison sentence for committing wire fraud and cheating his employer out of nearly $500,000, the Department of Justice announced. The perpetrator, 57-year-old John Laakso — who also went by John Trebesch — reportedly worked as a contractor and later became an engineering manager at GAF Materials Corporation's roofing factory in Savannah, Georgia. His responsibilities included securing equipment and services for the facility, which makes products for residential and commercial roofing applications.

Next month, Mecum Auctions hopes to cash in with a 1995 Corvette ZR1 Phase 5 engine still sealed in its original crate. The engine will go up for sale at Mecum's Kissimmee (kuh-si-mee) 2026 sale.The factory‑sealed LT5 crate engine underscores a growing demand for standalone powerplants as collectibles. Mecum has seen a surge in “component collectibles” as enthusiasts are increasingly bidding on rare transmissions, engines, and even factory tools. The auction listing emphasizes the engine's untouched condition, complete with original packaging and documentation.Recent sales of LT5 engines have fetched up to $50,000.

Jaguar's longtime design chief Gerry McGovern – and designer of the 00 – has reportedly been fired this past week.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that Taylor Farms New Jersey, a vegetable processing subsidiary of bagged salad maker Taylor Farms, faces more than $1 million in fines following an inspection triggered by a workplace fatality in Swedesboro, New Jersey. The investigation began in May 2025 after a worker was killed while cleaning a machine, and OSHA inspectors found 16 willful and repeated safety violations related to a lack of lockout/tagout procedures and training during sanitation activities. The safety agency proposed $1,125,484 in citations. OSHA also hit PL Solutions Group, which does business as People Logistics, with three serious violations and penalties of $33,100. The on-site temporary employment agency was fined for failing to implement or train workers on lockout/tagout procedures.

Within the studio's ‘Invent and Integrate' design approach, Mask Architects has unveiled a fully self-chargeable solar motorcycle named Solaris. At its core, Solaris looks a little bit like any other bike, but upon charging, retractable photovoltaic wings unfold, collecting rich sunlight to supply energy to the bike's lithium storage unit.The project serves as an exploration of autonomous mobility, focusing on vehicles capable of generating their own power without relying on fuel, charging networks, or electrical grids. When parked, Solaris effectively becomes its own charging station, operating independently and supporting site-free energy use. This technical foundation is paired with a distinctive biomimetic design philosophy.

Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast where I talk to young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer.For this episode, I welcome 23-year-old Roman Andrew, an applications engineer at Fristam Pumps USA.  Andrew spent nearly two years interning at Fristam Pumps while in college, gaining experience in design engineering and quality assurance. During that time, he worked on pump assemblies and part design, collaborated with machinists on the shop floor and performed gauge calibrations and part inspections.In his current role, Andrew configures and quotes pump systems, helps with repairs and diagnosing failure points and offers technical support to customers.In this episode, Andrew discusses:How to keep interns coming back and eventually join full-time (1:14)Do young workers lack communication skills (3:00)What career growth means to Gen Z (8:15)Signs that your company is driving away young talent (12:44) Please make sure to like and share this episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing. To view previous episodes, visit manufacturing.net. If you are a member of Gen Z and would like to discuss your experience in the manufacturing industry, please get in touch with me, Nolan Beilstein, at nolan@ien.com.

Last Friday, Able Groupe pleaded guilty to a pair of felony charges for smuggling illegal baby formula into the United States. According to the Justice Department, the company, which also did business as Little Bundle and Huggable, sold European infant formula to U.S. consumers beginning in the spring of 2019 on LittleBundle.com. https://www.ien.com/food-beverage/video/22955484/guilty-pleas-follow-scheme-to-smuggle-illegal-baby-formula-into-us#InfantFormula, #BabyFormulaRecall, #FDA, #FoodSafety, #Smuggling, #JusticeDepartment, #DOJ, #FDCA, #PublicHealth, #InfantHealth, #FormulaShortage, #BotulismOutbreak, #ConsumerSafety, #ImportAlerts, #NewsUpdate

Aluminum manufacturer Novelis suffered a third fire in two months at its plant in Oswego, New York. The company announced on its website that the fire began around 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 20 and that multiple local fire departments extinguished it by 3:25 p.m. The company added that all workers safely evacuated.The Wall Street Journal cited anonymous sources who said the incident appeared to occur in the same area as the first blaze in September. Novelis has not disclosed any details regarding damage.

In March 2024, a nearly 1,000-foot-long container ship lost power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the structure to collapse. Six highway workers were killed in the accident and estimates for replacing the bridge are as high as $5.2 billion.And now it looks like the whole tragic accident was caused by a single loose wire.