51�Թ���

House Energy and Commerce Bill Would Protect Consumers and Clarify Rules so Manufacturers Can Continue to Innovate, Compete

Washington, D.C. – Manufacturers today welcomed the introduction of the SECURE Data Act by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Vice Chair John Joyce (R-PA).

51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter issued the following statement endorsing the SECURE Data Act:

“Processing personal data has become integral to modern manufacturing operations and modern manufactured products. Manufacturers are encouraged that this first-of-its-kind federal law would establish a uniform national framework that is both forward-looking and adaptable to new technology, while avoiding the regulatory morass of a 50-state patchwork. Manufacturers believe granting consumers much-needed privacy protections and creating clear guidelines will keep the industry innovating and competing in the age of AI. We thank Chairman Guthrie and Vice Chair Joyce for championing this legislation.”

-51�Թ���-��

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for nearly 52% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

��733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. – Manufacturers today welcomed President Trump’s national AI legislative framework for its practical, pro-growth policy recommendations to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter issued the following statement urging Congress to take up policies to advance AI innovation:

“Manufacturers support a��consistent federal framework that emphasizes innovation and avoids a cumbersome 50-state patchwork, and President Trump’s announcement today reflects this approach. The president’s commonsense AI framework��will remove barriers to innovation and growth, which is critical for success. But we also need comprehensive permitting reform to go hand in hand to achieve the energy dominance needed to set manufacturers on a trajectory to win the global race for AI.

“We look forward to working with Congress to get this done.”

Background

Manufacturers have been at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge AI systems that are transforming shop floors and revolutionizing operations.

Last December, the 51�Թ��� supported President Trump’s AI Executive Order on state AI regulations and endorsed several bills to streamline permitting.

In July 2025, the Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the 51�Թ���, unveiled a responding to a White House Executive Order on workforce modernization.

In May 2025, the Manufacturing Leadership Council, the digital transformation division of the 51�Թ���, released a groundbreaking report, “,” revealing that 51% of manufacturers already deploy AI in their operations, and 80% say AI will be essential to growing or maintaining their business by 2030. This is not just about efficiency—it’s about competitiveness, innovation and the future of American industry.

In May 2024, the 51�Թ��� published “Working Smarter: How Manufacturers Are Using Artificial Intelligence”—a report that explains the ways in which manufacturers are using AI already, making the technology integral to modern manufacturing with manufacturers at the forefront of developing and implementing AI systems.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .��

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour Stops in Dallas, Texas, for Manufacturing Institute’s State of the Manufacturing Workforce Address

DALLAS – The 51�Թ���—the official partner of America250—continued its 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour today in Dallas, Texas, under the theme “Building the Workforce of the Future.”

51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons, Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee and Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair Blake Moret visited the Dallas College Garland Center and global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, NTT DATA, an official sponsor of the tour along with Schneider Electric. The stops today highlighted the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of manufacturing careers in America, while emphasizing the need for a highly skilled workforce to sustain innovation and economic growth.

In Texas, nearly 1 million manufacturing workers drive a sector that contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the state’s economy, representing between 11% and 13% of economic output and making it one of the biggest manufacturing workforces in the nation.

Lee gave the MI’s annual at NTT DATA’s North American headquarters. “For years, manufacturers have said the same thing: if you want a strong economy, you need a strong manufacturing workforce,” she said. “If you want innovation that leads the world, you need people with the skills to put it to work. Workforce is not a side issue. It’s the strategy. We have the chance to harness creativity, unleash competitiveness and build a stronger future. But that future is not possible without our single greatest asset: the manufacturing workforce. We don’t just need people. We need talent. And that means our workforce needs the skills to succeed.”

Timmons convened a panel with Lee, NTT DATA Products Industries Global Leader and 51�Թ��� board member Prasoon Saxena and Celanese Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Sameer Purao, focused on AI and the workforce. The event concluded with a site tour of NTT DATA’s innovation center, showcasing how technology is advancing the manufacturing industry in the AI era.

“The strength of manufacturing and the 13 million Americans who make things in this country depends on how seriously we invest in those workers and the millions who follow,” said Timmons who also serves as chair of the MI’s Board. “At this moment of inflection, transformative technology demands a new generation of skills. A rapidly evolving industry requires us to train, upskill and retain our people with greater urgency. Leaders in Washington have a responsibility to advance policies that strengthen our workforce. The MI champions those policies every day.”

“We are proud to host the 51�Թ��� and Manufacturing Institute today,” said Saxena. “We know that manufacturing’s future will be defined by how effectively we integrate advanced technologies like AI with a highly skilled workforce. Industry 5.0 is our north star where data and AI with human expertise converge to create resilient, sustainable operations.”

The group also toured one of the MI’s FAME chapters in Texas, whose mission is to drive workforce development initiatives across the state. “Texas has led the way with FAME expansion in recent years—which is something we had the opportunity to see firsthand this morning,” said Lee. “Dallas College has been an outstanding educational partner, serving two chapters in Texas, the FAME Dallas Chapter and Metro360 Chapter. It is a model for how durable solutions for manufacturers can thrive with community cooperation.”

“We were honored to welcome the 51�Թ��� and MI to Dallas College and to showcase the strength of our Texas FAME program,” said Dr. Veronique Tran of Dallas College. “Through FAME, we are creating a direct, employer-led pathway into high-skill, high-wage manufacturing careers—combining classroom instruction with paid, hands-on experience that prepares students to contribute from day one. We are grateful for the collaboration with the MI and appreciate their leadership in scaling solutions that strengthen our workforce.”

From Dallas, the 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour will go on to Houston, Texas, and conclude on Friday, Feb. 27, in Phoenix, Arizona. The tour made stops in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin prior to today’s events in Dallas. Throughout the tour, the 51�Թ��� will continue meeting with policymakers, manufacturers of all sizes, students and business leaders, advocating for the people and policies that will ensure the United States is the best place in the world to do business. To learn more about the tour and the 51�Թ���’s mission, visit /stateofmfg/, and to learn more about the State of the Manufacturing Workforce address, visit .

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��

–The MI-

The Manufacturing Institute works to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for individual opportunity, community prosperity and a competitive manufacturing industry for the future. This is done through implementing groundbreaking initiatives, convening industry leaders, conducting innovative research and promoting public policy that supports the sector as it meets the opportunity of modern manufacturing. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the 51�Թ���, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions to address the toughest workforce issues. For more information on the MI, please visit .

-NTT DATA-

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour Stops in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – The 51�Թ���—official partner of America250—in partnership with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, continued its 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the theme “Creating the Future.” Today’s visits included Rockwell Automation, Komatsu Mining Group and CNH.

The Milwaukee stops showcased how advanced manufacturing technologies power America’s industrial legacy and future—boosting productivity, strengthening supply chains and creating high-quality manufacturing careers. In Wisconsin, manufacturing supports 462,000 workers—more than 15% of the state’s workforce—cementing its role as an economic engine for the state.

“When it comes to artificial intelligence, manufacturers have not just deployed advanced technologies; we’ve developed them,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “What we saw today at Komatsu, Rockwell Automation and CNH is proof that AI is already transforming modern manufacturing. These tools make our manufacturing workers safer, our supply chains smarter and our products more advanced. The growth of manufacturing drives AI, and the growth of AI drives manufacturing. If America wants to lead on AI, America must support the manufacturers leading the way. That includes regulations that foster innovation—not stifle it.”

The day started with a tour of Komatsu’s state-of-the-art South Harbor Campus—a world-class example of how sustainable design and high-tech manufacturing can coexist. The group then visited Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, where Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair Blake Moret has led for the past decade. After the tour, Timmons, Moret and Manufacturing Institute President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee convened a roundtable discussion on “Responsible AI Leadership,” focused on how manufacturers are approaching AI and advanced technologies.

“At Rockwell Automation, we believe that the ‘Factory of the Future’ is built on the intersection of human ingenuity and intelligent machines,” said Moret. “What we saw today in Milwaukee—from Komatsu to the discussions here at Rockwell—is an industry moving at the speed necessary to compete and win. This tour is about making sure Washington understands that speed. Manufacturers need abundant, reliable energy, comprehensive permitting reform and investments in the manufacturing workforce to ensure the massive investments required for AI and automation can continue to flow into our communities and beyond.”

The day concluded at industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturer CNH, where demonstrations showed how precision technology is benefiting both the traditional manufacturing sector and the agricultural manufacturing sector.

“Wisconsin isn’t just a manufacturing state—it’s a manufacturing powerhouse,” said Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce President and CEO Kurt Bauer. “From advanced machinery and paper production to food processing and cutting-edge technologies, our manufacturers compete and win globally. We are proud to partner with the 51�Թ��� to showcase Wisconsin’s strength during this stop on the 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour to show the strength of Wisconsin’s manufacturing workers. At the same time, we must confront a serious workforce challenge—60% of Wisconsin employers say they cannot find enough workers, and labor force participation has been declining for decades. To sustain our leadership, we need policies from Washington that strengthen and supplement our world-class training efforts, expand workforce pathways, align education with employer needs and make it easier for individuals to enter and advance in manufacturing careers.”

From Milwaukee, the 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour will go on to Dallas, Texas, where Lee will deliver the 2026 Manufacturing Institute’s State of the Manufacturing Workforce Address; Houston, Texas; and conclude Friday in Phoenix, Arizona. The tour made stops in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina prior to today’s events in Milwaukee. Throughout the tour, the 51�Թ��� will continue meeting with policymakers, manufacturers of all sizes, students and business leaders, advocating for the people and policies that will ensure the United States is the best place in the world to do business. To learn more about the tour and the 51�Թ���’s mission, visit /stateofmfg/.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��

PHILADELPHIA – From the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to historic Carpenters’ Hall, the 51�Թ���—an official partner of America250—in partnership with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, continued its 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour today in Philadelphia.

Under this stop’s theme, “Charting the Future: Then and Now,” 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons, industry leaders and public officials gathered at the historic site where America’s founders once debated self-governance, to unveil the Manufacturers’ Accord for the Next 250 Years—a declaration of principles to strengthen free enterprise and secure America’s economic leadership.

“More than two centuries ago, leaders met at Carpenters’ Hall to consider how a free people might govern themselves—and how a nation might flourish through enterprise, work and ingenuity,” said Timmons. “Today, manufacturers embrace a similar responsibility. We affirm that manufacturing, innovation and free markets have been central to America’s rise—and will determine its future. As manufacturers, we accept our role in shaping what’s coming next. Manufacturers have always helped write America’s story—then, now and for the next 250 years. With the right pro-growth policy framework in place—competitive tax policies thanks to last year’s landmark tax bill, permitting reform, modernized regulations, energy dominance, trade certainty, investing in the manufacturing workforce and smart AI policy—we will strengthen our economy, expand opportunity and build an even stronger America for generations to come. And that’s what the Manufacturers’ Accord is about.”

Timmons was joined by Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair Blake Moret, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association President & CEO David Taylor and 51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter—who were the inaugural signers of the Manufacturers’ Accord. Attendees were then invited to add their names, launching a nationwide effort that will invite manufacturing leaders across the country to sign the Accord in the months ahead.

Following Carpenters’ Hall, the tour moved to Rhoads Industries, a family-owned heavy industries manufacturer located in Philadelphia’s historic Navy Yard. Rhoads Industries began in 1896 and has exemplified American manufacturing’s adaptation through historic events, political changes and geopolitical shifts, enduring through all.

During each stop, discussion centered on the 51�Թ���’s 2026 legislative priorities, emphasizing that the speed of innovation must be matched by the speed of government.

“In Philadelphia, we see a perfect blend of tradition and transformation,” said Moret. “Whether we are talking about the heritage of Carpenters’ Hall or the cutting-edge technology at Rhoads Industries in Building 57 of the iconic Navy Yard, the message is the same: speed matters. To chart a successful future, we must eliminate the permitting delays that hold back investment, train a future workforce and ensure that our tax code remains a catalyst for domestic growth.”

“Pennsylvania is a manufacturing powerhouse, and our partnership with the 51�Թ��� is vital to protecting the half a million jobs that sustain our communities,” said Taylor. “Today’s events remind us that while the tools have changed since 1776, the necessity of a strong manufacturing base for our national security and prosperity remains constant.”

From Philadelphia, the 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour will go on to Charlotte, North Carolina; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dallas and Houston, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout the tour, the 51�Թ��� will continue meeting with policymakers, manufacturers of all sizes, students and business leaders, advocating for the people and policies that will ensure the United States is the best place in the world to do business. To learn more about the tour and the 51�Թ���’s mission, visit /stateofmfg/.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��

��

CLEVELAND – The 51�Թ��� today kicked off its annual 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour, a cross-country sprint spotlighting the vital role that manufacturing plays in supporting the nation’s economy. On the first leg of the tour, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons and other leaders underscored the state’s industrial momentum while calling on our nation’s leaders to pursue a comprehensive manufacturing strategy—building on permanent, pro-growth tax reform manufacturers secured last summer.

“Innovation Built America. Manufacturing Wins the Future” is the theme of this year’s tour, and framed a series of events in Cleveland, bringing together industry leaders, students and policymakers to spotlight Ohio’s nearly 700,000 manufacturing employees—about 12% of the state’s workforce.

“There’s no better place to start a road tour than the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” said Timmons, an Ohio native, at the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where he delivered his 13th 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Address. “Like rock ‘n’ roll, manufacturing is everywhere. We are hitting the road to showcase the world-leading innovation happening across the country and how we make the next 250 years even greater. Manufacturers are ready to invest—and we need certainty, like the tax bill delivered last year. Permanent tax reform gave manufacturers the rocket fuel. Now we need clear skies. That’s energy dominance, permitting reform, trade certainty, investing in the manufacturing workforce and smart AI policy.

Timmons was joined by Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair Blake Moret, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, EQT Corporation President and CEO and 51�Թ��� board member Toby Z. Rice, The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger and 51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter. Following the address, Timmons and Moret hosted a student reception at the Hall of Fame, where they engaged with the next generation of creators. The tour then moved to the Rock Hall’s “Jam Garage” for a unique filming opportunity showcasing the intersection of culture and industry. The setting provided a compelling backdrop for discussions about the connection between manufacturing and rock ‘n’ roll—two distinctly American traditions that involve bold ideas, creative risk-taking embracing technological change and the ability to shape global culture.

“The innovation we’ve seen Ohio manufacturers embrace over time is exactly why this tour is so vital,” said Moret. “At Rockwell, we see every day how automation and AI are redefining what’s possible on the factory floor. By visiting places like Cleveland State University and seeing the talent being cultivated here, it’s clear that Ohio manufacturers are moving at the speed of business. Now, we must ensure the federal government keeps up with that pace.”

The afternoon featured an in-depth tour and lunch at EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub followed by a final stop at Cleveland State University to discuss the critical intersection of higher education and industrial workforce development.

“Ohio’s manufacturers are the backbone of our state’s economy, and having the national tour stop here in Cleveland underscores the importance of our mission,” said Augsburger. “We are proud to stand with the 51�Թ��� to advocate for the policies that will keep our nearly 700,000 manufacturing workers at the forefront of global competition.”

From Cleveland, the 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour will go on to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charlotte, North Carolina; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dallas and Houston, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout the tour, the 51�Թ��� will continue meeting with policymakers, manufacturers of all sizes, students and business leaders, advocating for the people and policies that will ensure the United States is the best place in the world to do business. To learn more about the tour and the 51�Թ���’s mission, visit .

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��

Washington, D.C. –����In response��to President Trump’s executive order��on state��regulation of��artificial intelligence,��51�Թ�����President and CEO Jay Timmons��released the following statement:

“As the president demonstrates his commitment to both advancing American technological��dominance��and��bolstering investment in manufacturing, he is rightly recognizing��that��winning the global race for AI��hinges on getting��AI policy��right, which means avoiding a cumbersome 50-state patchwork of laws and regulations that would throttle��interstate commerce,��stifle innovation,��limit��AI��adoption��and��erode America’s competitive edge.

“As��we��laid out in ‘Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,’��policymakers should review��existing laws��and��regulations to��identify��barriers to innovation,��ensure context-specific��rules,��encourage��transparency��and ensure a level playing field for developers and manufacturers alike.��AI innovations are already transforming shop floors across the country. Fifty-one percent of manufacturers surveyed by the ��already have embedded AI in their operations, and 80%��expect it to be essential for their operations by 2030.

“Manufacturers��support��the administration’s approach toward��avoiding a 50-state patchwork that would prevent America from winning the global AI race. Instead of a complex, costly and burdensome patchwork, manufacturers back tailored rules that narrowly��target��specific use-cases and well-identified risks without diminishing the potential breakthroughs and economic impact that could be harnessed by American innovators.��We encourage Congress to��emulate the president’s��risk-based��approach��with legislation��that will��codify��his administration’s��vision of a streamlined��and nimble AI agenda��to support��competition and American innovation.”

-51�Թ���-

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s brand-new facility in Mebane, North Carolina, represents a big step forward for medical supply chains in the U.S.—and it’s all thanks to cutting-edge automation, overseen by workers drawn from one of the country’s hotspots for medical manufacturing talent.

The big numbers: The facility, whose grand opening was by North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein in August, is capable of producing an impressive 40 million precision pipette tips per week—crucial components that enable precise liquid handling in everything from clinical diagnostics to pharmaceutical research.

• The facility will create more than 100 jobs in total, including many highly skilled (and paid) automation engineer positions.
• The opening follows Thermo Fisher’s announcement earlier this year that it would commit $2 billion in investments in its U.S. manufacturing capabilities over the next four years.

The post-COVID-19 landscape: The company started working on the Mebane project after the COVID-19 pandemic, during which there was a shortage of tips, said Thermo Fisher President of Laboratory Chemicals��and Laboratory Plastic Essentials Erica Hirsch.

• Thermo Fisher worked with the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies to understand the problem with the domestic supply chain, she said.
• The answer? The company would need to invest in high-quality automation tip manufacturing, which could be scaled up as needed—especially important in the case of another pandemic.

The automation: As Thermo Fisher had learned from its operations at other facilities, the best plan for tip manufacturing is to focus on automation.

• Automation is essential to ensure consistent quality and reproducibility, not to mention a high volume of production, said Hirsch.
• The Mebane facility was a “dream opportunity,” she said, to create a highly automated facility from the ground up, instead of adding automation to an existing facility.
• The standards were high: the production lines have little direct human involvement, again to ensure every tip is as precisely engineered as possible. Each line is managed by a highly skilled technician.

The big picture: The COVID-19 pandemic also taught the company the importance of shoring up domestic supply chains and building in redundancy. In fact, said Hirsch, having redundant facilities in every region in the world has become a priority, both due to the lessons of the pandemic and to rising geopolitical tensions.

• The company has more than 7,800 workers in North Carolina, one of its major bases of operations in the U.S. Its North Carolina facilities do everything from conducting clinical research and producing pharmaceuticals to manufacturing laboratory products.

Workforce: Hirsch emphasized the close relationship that Thermo Fisher has with local trade schools and colleges, ensuring it can staff advanced manufacturing facilities like the one in Mebane.

• The company works to recruit locally and has many apprenticeship programs, including for the automation engineers at the Mebane plant.
• Mold and machine makers are also high on its list of skilled workers to train, through apprenticeships, internships and more.
• “We need to make sure we have a skilled workforce, and a workforce that spans all stages of careers,” said Hirsch.

AI: With AI on the industry’s mind, Thermo Fisher is leading the pack in integrating AI tools into all its processes, including at Mebane.

• Earlier this month, Thermo Fisher ��that focuses on accelerating scientific innovation, enhancing productivity and reducing complexity. As part of the collaboration, Thermo Fisher is embedding OpenAI Application Programming Interfaces into critical areas of its business—ranging from product development, service delivery, customer engagement and operational efficiency.
• AI will be critical for Mebane as it is a highly automated, data-driven facility, said Hirsch.

Looking ahead: Thermo Fisher continues to be committed to offering products that combine high-quality scientific expertise with industry-leading technologies, helping its customers to accelerate life-sciences research and develop new therapies for patients who are waiting, said Hirsch.

• “The company’s mission—to enable its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer—fuels the passion of its colleagues and drives the many contributions they make each day,” she added.

Photo credit: Office of��Governor Josh��Stein

Washington, D.C.—The 51�Թ��� and CTIA today released a new joint report highlighting the key role 5G is playing in manufacturing in America. The report, “How 5G Is Modernizing Manufacturing,” explores how manufacturers and wireless providers are leveraging robust commercial 5G networks to fuel the Manufacturing 4.0 movement and make American factories safer, more efficient and more innovative—all while building a more resilient, secure and prosperous nation.

The report finds that to continue our rich history of innovation, production, and global leadership, America needs a robust 5G strategy that includes a pipeline of more licensed spectrum to support manufacturers’ ever-expanding use of 5G.

“5G is vital to the Manufacturing 4.0 movement that’s propelling America to be the global hub for smart, modern manufacturing,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Manufacturers are harnessing 5G to make workplaces safer, boost efficiency and strengthen resilience across our operations. By enabling real-time actions and supporting new technologies like AI, 5G is giving manufacturers more tools to sharpen our competitive edge, support more people and secure America’s leadership in the global economy.”

The wireless and manufacturing sectors are working together to leverage 5G’s unprecedented speeds, low latency and high capacity to power new innovations—particularly through the use of AI.  According to the 2025 Future of Manufacturing Project Survey, “Shaping the AI-Powered Factory of the Future,” from the Manufacturing Leadership Council (the 51�Թ���’s digital transformation division), more than half of manufacturers already use AI in their operations, with 61% expecting investment in AI will increase by 2027. Impact on operational performance, cost savings and worker productivity/efficiency are all above 60%. 5G helps manufacturers deploy AI tools so they can evaluate large datasets and identify efficient solutions quickly—whether through supply chain management, predictive maintenance for machinery, quality control or improving the employee experience.

“The wireless industry is proud to partner with manufacturers to drive American innovation, productivity, and global leadership,” said CTIA President and CEO Ajit Pai. “To support the wireless data needs of manufacturers and other leading U.S. industries, it is imperative that  policymakers continue to take action to ensure additional mid-band spectrum is available for 5G.”

The report features real examples of how 5G is transforming manufacturing, including by:

• Powering VictoryXR and Taqtile’s AR headsets to provide immersive training, offering engaging upskilling opportunities while enhancing employee productivity and safety;
• Connecting Seegrid’s autonomous mobile robots to deliver heavy appliance parts safely around Whirlpool’s factory floor, freeing up employees for more complex tasks;
• Providing a real-time, high-definition monitoring system that leverages machine learning capabilities to improve quality control for Hitachi, identifying defects at a sub-millimeter level;
• Protecting Cummins’ intellectual property with highly secure 5G networks that also power robotics to bring materials around the facility, detect product defects, enhance employee training through AR/VR applications, and monitor equipment via sensor systems; and
• Powering innovation and productivity on the factory floor for many other manufacturers like Newport News Shipbuilding, General Motors, Rockwell Automation, Ericsson, Samsung, and more.

These innovations are driving the U.S. economy forward. Boston Consulting Group found that 5G networks will add $1.5 trillion in GDP and 4.5 million in jobs to America’s economy this decade alone.

As this report makes clear, 5G is not just a next-generation network—it’s the foundation for the future of manufacturing in America. By accelerating innovation, enhancing safety, enabling real-time decision-making and strengthening our industrial base, 5G empowers manufacturers to lead in a fiercely competitive global economy.

-51�Թ���-��

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .����

To make electric vehicle manufacturing quicker and easier, Ford is getting back to basics (POLITICO’s , subscription).

What’s going on: “The Michigan automaker on Monday announced a $5 billion plan to simplify its production of electric vehicles … similar to how Ford revolutionized the car industry decades ago by creating a moving assembly line to build the company’s iconic Model T.”

• Henry Ford pioneered that technology in the early 20th century for the mass production of automobiles, and it helped make cars more affordable.
• Now the company is hoping it can do the same for EVs by streamlining manufacturing.

What they’re saying: Competitors, including lower-cost EVs from China, are “all coming for us,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said an event this week at an assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where he laid out Ford’s plans for a new EV-making process.

• On stage next to Farley as he spoke was a vintage Model T pickup.

How they’ll do it: Ford’s new EV strategy will be built on “a new platform that will combine low-cost batteries and motors, which can be adapted for trucks, SUVs and other vehicles.”

• The manufacturers will put $2 billion into its Louisville facility to build the new vehicles and will put $3 billion into the expansion of its plant in Michigan to make lithium-ion batteries.

The first product: The first vehicle to be built on the new platform is a four-door pickup set for a 2027 release with a price tag of $30,000.

• The new truck will have 20% percent fewer parts than a conventional one and its assembly line will move 15% faster.
• In addition, “[t]he designers cut 4,000 feet of wire from the main wiring harness.”

Its impact: Ford and elected officials emphasized the positive effect they foresee the new strategy having on local economies.

• “Jobs will be here in this plant in Kentucky for generations to come,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “Current Ford employees’ kids and grandkids will have an opportunity to work right here at the Louisville assembly plant one day.”
• The project is expected to create or secure 4,000 jobs, more than half of which will be in Kentucky.​​​​​​​