POLITICAL:

The Biden administration completed their 100-day review of critical supply chains to assess vulnerability and strengthening resilience. In response, the NAMvoiced gratitude for the administration’s focus on manufacturing, which the organization called for in 2020.

SOCIAL:

The COVID-19 pandemic and lack of skilled workers has driven AI innovation in factories across the U.S. Looking to the future, workers and AI will likely achieve eventual balance in division of labor.

ENVIRONMENT:

INEOS manufacturing sites in California and Texas have received ISCC PLUS certification, demonstrating successful trials of Advanced Recycling technology. This new technology could contribute to a Circular Economy, in which materials are recycled and re-used as much as possible.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Looking to hire new talent? Offer services and programs targeted towards those caught up in the ‘last-mile’ problem.

ECONOMIC:

After dipping in April, manufacturing output accelerated in May, a good sign for the U.S. economy. However, intensifying demand is revealing shortages of labor, raw materials and supply chain issues that may be difficult to overcome

TECHNOLOGY:

In a post-pandemic world, there is likely great opportunity for growth. The next era of manufacturing may be driven by simulation technology because of its advanced abilities to turn concepts into tangible results efficiently and reliably.

LEGAL:

IBM threatened to sue GlobalFoundries for allegedly violating a deal made in 2014. GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturer, denied this and questioned the timing of IBM’s claim, given global semiconductor shortages and GlobalFoundries’ intent to make an initial public offering that could value them at $30 billion.