Manufacturing Weekly Brief: June 24–30, 2025
This past week brought a mix of economic signals, with some manufacturers feeling a bit more optimistic while others grappled with ongoing challenges like tariffs. We also saw significant strides in AI integration and strategic supply chain overhauls, highlighting the industry’s continuous push for efficiency and innovation.
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Metalforming Manufacturers See Glimmer of Optimism
The June 2025 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report indicates a slight increase in optimism among metalforming manufacturers for the next three months. While 24% anticipate an increase in general economic activity, concerns persist regarding trade uncertainty, particularly the recent doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%. This cost disparity could impact the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.
Published: June 24, 2025
https://www.industryintel.com/news/precision-metalforming-association-reports-24-of-manufacturers-expect-economic-growth-in-next-three-months-metalformers-daily-shipping-levels-remain-unchanged-in-june-2025-171450327312 -
US Manufacturing Continues to Expand Amid Inflationary Pressures S&P Global’s latest report shows that U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in June, with the flash factory PMI holding at 52, its highest since February. While overall economic growth continued at the end of Q2, inflationary pressures have risen sharply. Experts note that increased domestic demand, especially in manufacturing, is partly driven by stock building due to concerns over higher prices and supply issues from tariffs.
Published: June 24, 2025
Member Briefing June 24, 2025 - Council of Industry of Southeastern New York -
AI Accelerates Digital Transformation in Smart Manufacturing
A recent article highlights how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving significant advancements in smart manufacturing, with 81% of manufacturers accelerating their digital transformation efforts. Investments in AI, cloud/SaaS, and cybersecurity are top priorities. Notably, 95% of manufacturers plan to invest in AI/ML over the next five years, with quality control remaining the leading application for AI.
Published: June 30, 2025
https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/june-2025/how-ai-enhances-smart-manufacturing?listname=Automation%20&%20Control%20News%20&%20Articles -
Clorox Overhauls Supply Chain with New ERP System
The Clorox Company announced plans to transition to a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, replacing its 25-year-old technology across the United States. This significant upgrade aims to provide real-time data visibility and improve demand planning, fundamentally modernizing their operational backbone. To mitigate potential disruptions during this complex transition, Clorox has proactively added 1.5 weeks of inventory at retailers.
Published: June 27, 2025
Supply Chain & Logistics News June 23rd - 26th 2025 - Logistics Viewpoints
Tools & Tips
- FANUC ROBOGUIDE V10: This updated robot simulation software now includes virtual reality capabilities and a 64-bit architecture, making offline robot programming more immersive and efficient. It’s a great tool for optimizing robot work cells before deployment. Published: June 30, 2025 Industrial Automation Robotics News and Resources on Robotics 24/7
- Universal Robots UR Studio: An online simulation tool that allows users to customize robot cells virtually. This makes it easier to design and optimize collaborative robot applications, helping manufacturers integrate automation more seamlessly. Published: June 25, 2025 Industrial Automation Robotics News and Resources on Robotics 24/7
Fun Fact
Did you know the first industrial robot, named Unimate, was introduced way back in 1961? It was initially used for repetitive tasks in the automotive industry, costing about $35,000 at the time – that’s over $200,000 in today’s dollars! Talk about an early investment in automation.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you participated in any Manufacturing events or utilized new Manufacturing tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.