ASSEMBLY Magazine

06/03/2026

🎧 Midweek Listen: Why high-performing factories still have disengaged workers

Even the most efficient plants can miss the human element—where workers stay loyal but feel undervalued, burned out or disconnected from their work. Special Guest Meaghan Elwell of JLL.

https://www.assemblymag.com/media/podcasts/6446-assembly-audible/play/394-meaghan-elwell-on-engaging-frontline-workers-and-building-human-centered-manufacturing

Tag someone focused on workforce or operations 👇

Meaghan Elwell, Division President of Global Industrials at JLL, discusses how manufacturing facilities can look flawless on paper, but still leave frontline workers feeling disengaged and undervalued. In this episode, we share insights on why employees stay even when they’re not fully engaged, ho...

06/03/2026

Hexagon AB's spin-off of Octave highlights how industrial AI and operational intelligence platforms are becoming standalone businesses within manufacturing and infrastructure operations.

The move reflects growing industry demand for connected industrial data systems capable of supporting AI-driven analytics, factory visibility, infrastructure monitoring and operational decision-making across manufacturing environments.

As factories generate larger volumes of operational data, manufacturers are increasingly investing in software platforms designed to connect production, infrastructure and asset intelligence into unified systems.

https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100110-hexagon-spin-off-reflects-growth-of-industrial-ai-sector

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Hexagon AB has spun off its industrial intelligence and AI software business into a standalone company, Octave Intelligence plc, signaling the growing importance of connected operational data, digital infrastructure and AI-driven industrial analytics across manufacturing and cri...

06/02/2026

Reversible adhesive may aid electronics disassembly and recycling:
https://brnw.ch/21x32oW

NEWCASTLE, England—Electrical and chemical engineers at Newcastle University have developed a reversible adhesive that makes disassembling and recycling electronics much easier.

06/02/2026

Schaeffler is the latest manufacturer planning to use humanoid robots in its factory:
https://brnw.ch/21x320k

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany—Schaeffler AG plans to deploy hundreds of humanoid robots in its factories.

06/01/2026

🚗 Are your MES systems holding back production?

Many automotive plants are still relying on MES platforms built 10–20 years ago — creating challenges with upgrades, cybersecurity, scalability, and real-time visibility.

Join ASSEMBLY for a 30-minute webinar exploring why modernizing legacy MES systems is now a business imperative for automotive manufacturers.

📅 June 10, 2026
⏰ 11 AM EDT

You’ll learn:
✔ Why legacy MES is now a business risk
✔ How next-gen MES supports real-time, data-driven operations
✔ Ways modern automotive software lowers total cost of ownership
✔ Proven migration strategies that reduce risk and downtime

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21x30rA

06/01/2026

Tariffs. EV uncertainty. Supply chain pressure.

So why did OEM-supplier relationships actually improve this year?

In the latest episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Dr. Angela Johnson breaks down why communication, transparency and “permacrisis fatigue” may be reshaping supplier relationships across the automotive industry — even during one of the sector’s most volatile periods.

“What we see in the comments is a quiet consensus growing that there’s a human on the other side of the negotiating table." — Dr. Johnson of Plante Moran

Listen now:
https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100098-podcast-why-oem-supplier-relationships-improved-despite-tariffs-and-ev-uncertainty

Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages.

06/01/2026

GE Aerospace is using generative AI to dramatically compress early-stage jet engine design cycles.

Researchers at the company recently demonstrated an AI-powered system capable of generating preliminary hypersonic ramjet engine layouts in seconds while accounting for multiple engineering and flight-condition requirements simultaneously.

The development highlights how AI is beginning to move beyond analytics and into complex physical engineering workflows tied to aerospace manufacturing and advanced product development.

https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100097-ge-aerospace-uses-ai-to-accelerate-jet-engine-design

NISKAYUNA, NY— GE Aerospace researchers have developed a generative AI-powered design tool capable of producing preliminary hypersonic ramjet engine layouts in seconds, significantly reducing early-stage aerospace engineering design cycles.

05/31/2026

The EV transition is getting more complicated for manufacturers.

Changing policies, tariffs and shifting consumer demand are forcing automakers to rethink production strategies while balancing traditional vehicle programs and EV investments at the same time.

Eddy Azad of Parsec Automation, LLC breaks down some of the challenges.

See the full video here: https://www.assemblymag.com/videos/6395942751112?bctid=6395942751112

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05/31/2026

The Boeing Company plans to invest $1 billion in Wichita manufacturing operations following its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, expanding domestic aerospace production capacity and workforce development efforts in Kansas.

The investment includes a new aerospace workforce training center developed in partnership with WSU Tech as manufacturers continue increasing focus on U.S.-based production, supply chain resilience and skilled labor development.

https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100080-boeing-plans-1-billion-wichita-investment-workforce-training-center

WICHITA, Kan. — Boeing plans to invest $1 billion in Wichita operations during the next three years following its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, while also launching a new aerospace workforce training center in partnership with WSU Tech.

05/30/2026

Manufacturers are gaining new ways to verify whether two-part adhesives are actually mixed correctly during dispensing.

A new monitoring technology from 3M is designed to provide real-time visibility into meter-mix adhesive processes as manufacturers continue expanding use of structural adhesives across automotive, electronics and industrial assembly operations.

The technology highlights growing industry focus on adhesive process validation, traceability and inline quality monitoring as bonding systems become increasingly critical to product performance and safety.

https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100088-new-technology-monitors-quality-of-meter-mix-process-for-two-part-adhesives

ST. PAUL, MN—The new Adhesive Mix Monitor from 3M provides real-time feedback on mix quality when dispensing two-part structural adhesives.