Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Jeff Chiu/AP
PFAS in manufacturing: Auditing your supply chain for forever chemicals
Regulatory and consumer pressures are driving brands to go PFAS-free. Here’s how to identify which suppliers and materials could use or contain the chemicals.
Kate Magill • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Sviatlana Lazarenka via Getty Images
The battle to replace PFAS in firefighting foam
PFAS-based firefighting foam faces increasing scrutiny for its health and environmental risks. Yet regulators are struggling to replace the material with suitable and safe alternatives.
Sara Samora • Updated Dec. 11, 2024 -
Stock Photo via Getty Images
Are you eating PFAS? The fight to better regulate forever chemicals in food manufacturing
From pizza boxes to burger wrappers, PFAS can seep from packaging and processing into your food. Advocates want greater FDA oversight to ensure that doesn't happen.
Joelle Anselmo • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Adam Glanzman via Getty Images
De minimis: Helping or hurting U.S. manufacturers?
While groups like the National Association of Manufacturers claim the exemption benefits domestic production, others say it erodes the U.S. industry’s competitive edge and forces factory closures.
Philip Neuffer • Sept. 12, 2024 -
coffeekai for iStock via Getty Images
How OSHA’s proposed heat rule could impact manufacturers
Companies should prepare now to offer employees additional breaks and increased air conditioning, as global temperatures continue to rise.
Sara Samora • July 26, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
What employers can expect following the end of Chevron deference
The U.S. Department of Labor’s regulations may not fare well under federal courts’ scrutiny post-Chevron, a former official said.
Ryan Golden • July 24, 2024 -
Courtesy of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Embracing continuous manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry
Drugmakers have been slow to adopt the production process, which experts say can streamline operations, boost data quality and reduce time to market.
Joelle Anselmo • May 17, 2024 -
Retrieved from IAM District 751.
Why Boeing’s back is ‘against a wall’ in its labor negotiations
The aircraft maker is in the midst of bargaining with two of its unions. Experts say the company's litany of quality problems give unions the upper hand.
Sara Samora • May 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by JBM Packaging
Second chance hiring can bridge manufacturing labor gaps
Although some companies say they initially hire formerly incarcerated individuals to overcome a labor shortage, these programs can lead to less employee churn, lower recidivism and life-changing impact, advocates say.
Katie Pyzyk • May 1, 2024 -
gorodenkoff via Getty Images
Why aren’t more women joining automotive manufacturing?
As gender diversity remains an industry challenge, experts say companies can help tackle the problem by expanding childcare options and prioritizing career development and mentorship.
Megan Ruggles • April 17, 2024 -
Retrieved from Food and Drug Administration on February 23, 2024
How the FDA traced the WanaBana lead outbreak to a single food processor
The investigation into the applesauce pouch maker highlights efforts to tighten lead regulation in food production.
Joelle Anselmo • Feb. 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
The UAW won big for future EV battery plants
The United Auto Workers agreements with GM, Ford and Stellantis will likely increase labor costs for the Big Three as more EV battery plants open.
Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 19, 2024 -
THEPALMER via Getty Images
Mexico’s nearshoring wave is years in the making
Decades of investments in logistics infrastructure, trade deals and becoming a manufacturing hub are paying off as shippers look to nearshore production.
Alejandra Carranza and Edwin Lopez • Dec. 18, 2023 -
Khoa Nguyen via Getty Images
As manufacturers turn away from China, Vietnam lures investment
The country has become home to a growing number of factories thanks to its increased use of free trade agreements, tax incentives and competitive labor costs.
Kate Magill • Dec. 14, 2023 -
Hector Vivas via Getty Images
6 reasons why global supply chains are shifting
A desire to reduce costs, lead times, political risk and emissions are just some of the reasons behind onshoring, nearshoring and friendshoring decisions.
Edwin Lopez • Dec. 13, 2023 -
"DXL Men's Apparel store located in Natick, MA." by JCarnellDXLG is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Nearshoring apparel: Inside DXL’s pivot to Central America
The clothing maker is one of many eyeing the region, but economic and policy barriers could stand in the way of greater investment.
Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 12, 2023 -
petesphotography via Getty Images
‘Rough ride’: 5 CFO tips for cutting insurance costs amid climate change
CFOs facing more destructive weather and soaring insurance costs can take five steps to hold down premiums.
Jim Tyson • Dec. 8, 2023 -
E. Jason Wambsgans/TNS/Newscom
The history of PFAS: From World War II to your Teflon pan
How DuPont and 3M turned a 1930s lab accident into one of the century's most controversial chemicals.
Sara Samora and Shaun Lucas • Dec. 6, 2023 -
Permission granted by Texas Instruments
US manufacturing boom unlocks ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for construction firms
Private companies have spent more than half a trillion dollars since 2021 to onshore facilities back to the U.S., according to the White House.
Sebastian Obando • Nov. 22, 2023 -
Justin Sullivan/Staff/Getty Images North America via Getty Images
EV sales are rising. So why are automakers nervous?
Slower sales growth, lower prices and growing inventories have spooked EV manufacturers, leading some to reconsider their plans and finances.
Michael Brady • Nov. 17, 2023 -
Courtesy of RecruitMilitary.
How military veterans can fill the manufacturing labor gap
As the industry pushes to fill more than 600,000 open roles, veterans offer unique skillsets and leadership qualities to step into manufacturing careers.
Sara Samora • Nov. 10, 2023 -
XH4D via Getty Images
How AI is changing drug manufacturing
How artificial intelligence is moving into pharmaceutical production and what the FDA is doing about it.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 8, 2023 -
Skyhobo via Getty Images
Manufacturing megaprojects gobble up workers
From Taylor, Texas, to Licking County, Ohio, multibillion-dollar factory projects are magnifying labor woes and driving up costs.
Sebastian Obando • Aug. 16, 2023 -
sculpies via Getty Images
Second chances: How one Indiana program is breaking down employment barriers in manufacturing
Delaware County’s Jump program connects people in the criminal justice system with local companies in an effort to reduce recidivism and fill labor gaps.
Megan Ruggles • June 8, 2023 -
luoman via Getty Images
Out of fashion: Apparel manufacturing needs a tech update
Tied to fax machines and Excel spreadsheets, many companies are resistant to change and slow to adapt to new ways of doing business.
Krishna Thakker • May 15, 2023
