NewsfactoryUpdate: Battery Testing Centers In Europe
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Battery News
Jan 10, 2025Update: Battery Testing Centers In Europe
Battery-News presents an up-to-date excerpt of European testing centers for batteries and battery systems. As usual, the corresponding data are sourced from official announcements by the respective stakeholders.
The maps are also available in higher resolution. Anyone who would like to report missing companies or has general comments is welcome to contact the Battery-News editorial team.
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PR Newswire
Premier Construction Software Launches Cortex Dm: Eliminating Costly Rework And Delays In Construction ProjectsMARKHAM, ON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year, mismanaged drawings and outdated project data cost construction firms millions in rework and delays. Today, Premier Construction Software is tackling this problem head-on with the launch of Cortex Drawing Management (Cortex DM)—an AI-powered platform that ensures teams always have access to the latest, most accurate project information, preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
Revolutionizing How Construction Teams Work
For enterprise construction companies, project delays, rework, and miscommunication aren't just headaches—they're profit killers. Outdated drawings lead to errors in the field, RFIs take too long to resolve, and teams waste hours chasing information that should be at their fingertips.
Cortex DM eliminates these bottlenecks by providing a real-time, cloud-based system where Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers can instantly access and collaborate on the latest drawings. With AI-driven automation and seamless integration, construction firms can work smarter, reduce risk, and keep projects on schedule and on budget.
What Makes Cortex DM a Must-Have?
Eliminates Costly Rework – Say goodbye to outdated drawings and miscommunication. Cortex DM ensures every stakeholder is working with the latest version, reducing errors and rework.
Accelerates Project Approvals – Cortex DM cuts RFI response times by up to 50%, helping teams avoid unnecessary delays and keep construction moving.
Seamless, Unlimited Collaboration – Unlike traditional platforms that charge per user, Cortex DM allows unlimited external users at no extra cost, ensuring seamless coordination between contractors, engineers, and consultants.
AI-Powered Risk Prevention – Cortex DM's predictive AI proactively flags potential project risks, suggests corrective actions, and provides instant responses through interactive chat, keeping teams ahead of issues before they escalate.
Mobile-Optimized with Offline Access – Whether in the office or on-site, teams can access and update project details on any device, anywhere. Even in remote areas, Cortex DM's offline capabilities ensure uninterrupted productivity.
What Industry Leaders Are Saying
"Cortex has been an invaluable asset to our global organization, streamlining project management and significantly improving efficiency," said Jarrod Wales, Global Contracts Administrator, OneSchool Global. "With numerous moving parts across multiple regions, we needed a centralized system to manage project documents, automate workflows, and enhance collaboration. Cortex delivers on all fronts."
Karoline Lapko, CEO of Premier Construction Software, added, "Cortex DM isn't just another drawing management tool—it's the intelligence layer that keeps construction teams aligned and projects on track. By reducing errors, preventing rework, and driving real-time collaboration, we're helping construction firms build smarter and more profitably."
Don't let outdated drawings and project miscommunication cost your company time and money. See how Cortex DM can transform your workflow—schedule a demo today.
About Premier Construction Software
Founded in 2009, Premier Construction Software provides industry-leading financial management, project execution, and field collaboration solutions, all powered by AI. Operating globally across North America, Australia/New Zealand, and the UAE, Premier is a subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc., committed to driving innovation and improving project outcomes in the construction industry.
For media inquiries: Alena Blyshchyk, Marketing Manager, [email protected], 1.905.470.4600 Ex.7616
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2634009/Premier_Construction_Software_Premier_Construction_Software_Laun.jpg
SOURCE Premier Construction Softwarefactory
06 March 2025
Battery News
Ascend Elements Cancels Cam Production In KentuckyUS battery materials manufacturer Ascend Elements and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed to cancel a 164-million-dollar grant for the production of cathode active material (CAM) at its Hopkinsville, Kentucky site. According to the company, the decision is due to changing market conditions that do not currently justify sufficient demand for CAM.
However, the separate 316-million-dollar financing for the production of cathode precursor (pCAM) remains unchanged. The company plans to produce lithium carbonate at the site in addition to pCAM. The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2026. When announced in 2022, the Apex 1 project was initially estimated to involve a total investment of 310 million US dollars and around 250 jobs. Later, there was talk of a possible expansion to up to one billion dollars and more than 400 jobs. It is not yet known to what extent the discontinuation of CAM production will affect these projections.
Source:https://ascendelements.com/ascend-elements-and-u-s-department-of-energy-doe-mutually-agree-to-cancel-164m-cathode-active-material-cam-grant/factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
Taiwan Says Chipmaker'S Move To Invest $100 Billion In The U.S. Wasn'T Because Of U.S. PressureTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's president and top chipmaker TSMC held a joint news conference Thursday to defend the company's decision to invest $100 billion in the U.S., saying it stemmed from customer demand and not pressure from the Trump administration.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest chipmaker, said earlier this week it would invest $100 billion in three more chip manufacturing plants, along with two packaging facilities in Arizona.
The decision sparked concerns that Taiwan would gain little in return for moving some of its most advanced manufacturing processes to the U.S.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te denied that TSMC’s investment decision was due to political pressure by the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously said that Taiwan had taken away the U.S. chip business and that he wanted it back.
"TSMC's decision is necessary for its future development. The government did not face pressure from the United States during TSMC's investment process in the U.S.," said Lai on Thursday.
TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said that he had spoken with the firm's customers and realized that TSMC's current expansion plans in the U.S. were insufficient to meet current demand.
"Customer demand has been steadily increasing. For TSMC, our investment plans are based on customer needs, and we are very cautious," Wei said.
"The amount of investment in the U.S. may seem large, but it is still not enough to meet demand," he added.
He also said that the development plans in the U.S. would not affect TSMC's plans in Taiwan, and that the company currently had 10,000 employees researching and developing 1.0 nanometer chips.
While Taiwan is a self-ruled island, Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province to be taken back by force if necessary.
The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a country, but is its strongest backer and biggest arms provider.
But the continued support of the U.S. appears increasingly fragile under the Trump administration, who has contended that Taiwan relies too much on the U.S. and needs to spend more on defense. A Pentagon nominee earlier this week said Taiwan should be spending about 10% of its gross domestic product on defense to deter a war with China.
Taiwan's Lai last month pledged to increase defense spending to over 3% of its gross domestic product, up from less than 2.5%.factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
Driverless Maserati Reaches Nearly 200 MphIndy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) and Politecnico di Milano announced a collaboration with Maserati and 1000 Miglia Experience Florida to carry out an ambitious high-tech initiative during the renowned competition’s stop in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The activity is part of MOST – Italy’s National Center for Sustainable Mobility.
The Indy Autonomous Challenge has returned to the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at the Kennedy Space Center to set a new autonomous driving world record. The LLF facility is one of the world’s longest runways at 15,000 feet (2.8 miles) and the historic location for NASA Space Shuttle landings. Once primarily used for government operations, the LLF has evolved into a vibrant hub for aerospace innovation, research, manufacturing, and testing.
Development of the AI driver software was completed by the PoliMOVE-MSU team - part of the performance division of AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous of Politecnico di Milano).
The Indy Autonomous Challenge Maserati MC20 Coupé, guided by artificial intelligence from Politecnico di Milano and modified to run autonomously, reached 197.7 mph (318 km/h) autonomously and with no human driver on board. This surpasses the previously held absolute record for an autonomous car of 192.8 mph, set by Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE at the same location in April 2022 with an IAC AV-21 racecar. The achievement represents a huge leap forward in high-speed autonomous driving development and showcases how the learnings of high-speed autonomous racing can transfer to streetcars.
The Maserati MC20 Coupe of the Indy Autonomous Challenge and driven by the robo-driver from the Politecnico di Milano, previously held the record for the fastest autonomous production car, reaching 285 km/h (177 mph) at the Piacenza Military Airport track in November of 2024. This vehicle has once again raised the bar, demonstrating extraordinary innovation and technology from Italy.
Thanks to tests conducted with the Maserati MC20, the Indy Autonomous Challenge, together with the team of researchers from the Politecnico di Milano, has once again pushed autonomous technology to the limit, analyzing the behavior of the vehicle under extreme speeds on the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center. This achievement demonstrates the robustness and reliability of the algorithms developed for autonomous driving.
Once the record-breaking test was completed, a second Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible continued its American journey by joining the convoy of the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. This vehicle from the Politecnico di Milano - already a key participant in the 2023 edition of the historical 1000 Miglia race where it covered approximately 60 km in autonomous mode across Italy – will now parade on the roads of the United States, showcasing the excellence of Italian research.
The presence of the Maserati MC20 Cielo in this context represents not only a link between past and future, but also the evolution of mobility, projecting Italian engineering into new international scenarios.
The collaboration between the Indy Autonomous Challenge and the Politecnico di Milano, supported by Maserati and 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, marks a fundamental step in autonomous driving experimentation, laying the groundwork for new technological advancements and accelerating the development of advanced technologies for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles and ADAS systems. The goal is to solve real-world challenges, push the boundaries of innovation, and enhance safety and performance in both motorsports and urban and commercial transportation.factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
The One Industry Still Buying Pennies WholesaleNEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump talks of big change in his second term of office. But he's not forgetting small change, either.
Trump ordered the Treasury Department to stop making pennies with a Feb. 10 sentence on his social media account that followed years of conservatives pointing out that putting a copper-coated zinc disc in your pocket costs the government more than a cent — almost 4 cents today.
Will Trump's order make the penny disappear? There is no sign that the U.S. Mint will stop pressing pennies in Denver and Philadelphia, and Mint officials did not respond to requests for clarification this week.
But the presidential penny pledge is already being felt in one niche world. It's a little-known world that depends on buying pennies wholesale, loading them into machines and persuading parents to feed a few dollars into machines that stamp designs on the pennies — Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — as they are stretched between metal rollers at funfairs.
Small orbits of collectors and craftsmen have developed around them. And without the penny, the whole thing faces an uncertain future.
New copper pennies vanished from circulation in 1982 — 73 years after the first Lincoln penny was minted. They were replaced by coins of mostly zinc thinly coated with copper.
The solid copper old ones were more pliable and easier to stamp, making them hot items for kids at funfairs.
"They'll clean 'em so when they elongate the dino or shark of the printed coin it maintains a ghost image of the printed head of Lincoln," said Brian Peters, general manager of Minnesota-based Penny Press Machine Co. "Pre-1982 copper pennies, they bring those."
Jeweler Angelo Rosato worked for decades in the 1960s and '70s hand-printing pennies with scenes of their New Milford, Connecticut, hometown and historical and sentimental scenes. Everything was obsessively cataloged, including more than 4,000 penny photographs.
"We're big fans of the penny. Keep the penny," said Aaron Zablow of Roseland, New Jersey, who was with two of his sons at the American Dream Mall.
"I like the pennies," his 9-year-old son Mason said.
Brentley Joyce, 8, uses a penny press machine at the American Dream mall, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Critics say the rise of electronic commerce and the billions of pennies in circulation mean the U.S. could stop printing the copper coins tomorrow and see little widespread effect for decades. But some people are watching fearfully to see if Trump's public critique of the penny will affect their business.
Alan Fleming, of Scotland, is the owner of Penny Press Factory, one of a number around the world that manufacture machines that flatten and stamp coins.
"A lovely retired gentleman in Boston sold me over 100,000 uncirculated cents a couple of years ago but he doesn't have any more," Fleming wrote. "I will need to purchase new uncirculated cents within the next 12 months to keep my machines supplied and working!"
Regardless of what happens to niche businesses like Fleming's, penny defenders say they're an important tool for lubricating the economy even if they're a money-losing proposition.
Since the invention of money, humankind has wrangled with the question of small change, how to denominate amounts so small that the metal coin itself is actually worth more.
In 2003, Thomas J. Sargent and another economist wrote "The Big Problem of Small Change," billed as "the first credible and analytically sound explanation" of why governments had a hard time maintaining a steady supply of small change because of the high costs of production.
In a digital world with the line blurring between the real and the virtual, tactile coins have been reassuring.
"What this all tells you about the United States as a country is that it's an incredibly conservative country when it comes to money," said Ute Wartenberg, executive director of the American Numismatic Society.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters are sometimes designed by artists laser-sculpting tiny portraits of leaders and landmarks using special software.
"It's pretty cool because when I tell people what I do I just say my initials are on the penny," Joseph Menna, the 14th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, said in the 2019 film "Heads-Up: Will We Stop Making Cents?"
Fleming is hoping some lobbying may help: "Maybe we should take a trip to Washington and ask to speak to President Trump and Elon Musk and see if we can cut a deal on buying millions of pennies from them."factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
Why Asian Logistics Operators Are Leasing More U.S. WarehousesLogistics operators based in Asia have been leasing more warehouses in the United States in response to changes in e-commerce, global trade and manufacturing.
Third-party logistics firms, known as 3PLs, work with online retailers and other businesses to store, pack and move products for sale.
Leasing by Asia-based logistics firms more than doubled in key U.S. markets such as New Jersey and Los Angeles last year compared to 2023, according to global real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. Landlords generally have seen less demand for warehouses following the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a boom in online shopping.
A leasing surge by Asia-based companies seeking to take advantage of favorable market conditions has emerged as a bright spot for the industry, real estate company CBRE Group said in a June 2024 report.
E-commerce companies and logistics providers based in China were estimated to account for 20% of new U.S. warehouse leases in the U.S. though the third quarter of 2024, logistics real estate company Prologis said.
By leasing warehouses, some companies that feared potential tariffs on imported goods were looking to store more inventory in the U.S., according to the CBRE report. U.S. President Donald Trump in early February put an additional 10% tariff products imported from China, a tax set to 20% on Tuesday.
The Associated Press recently spoke about warehouse leasing trends with Jason Tolliver, co-leader of Cushman & Wakefield's Americas logistics and industrial services practice. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: There's data that shows a rise in Chinese and Asia-based companies leasing more warehouses in the U.S. What's your company seeing on the ground?
A: When you think about the uptick in Asian-based 3PLs - or 3PLs more broadly - we've really seen them become a more significant lessor of space in the last two years. That's being driven by the complexity in the market. As uncertainty rises and as trade complexity increases, the value proposition of a third-party logistics provider that has the scale, and the expertise, to be able to manage it has helped drive demand.
We've seen an increase in the amount of Asian-based leasing by 3PLs that are tied to cross-border e-commerce. And a key driver has been the de minimis exemption, which allows online orders to be placed in the U.S. and have it shipped directly from storage facilities throughout Asia. There's also a broader trend of regionalization that's being driven by increases in global trade and manufacturing.
Q: How do U.S.-based warehouses benefit companies that are operating under the de minimis model?
A: It's really about speed. The ability to ship directly to consumers. And also the reverse commerce or logistics - or being able to process returns and resell products back into the U.S.
In terms of footprint, the scale of Asian-based 3PLs has been much smaller than other e-commerce players. But it's been a significant driver of leasing activity in recent years because as other e-commerce players have pulled back on leasing, while Asia-based logistics operators were aggressively moving forward.
Q: Where do these companies rank in terms of overall leasing activity?
A: It varies depending on the market. But by far the 3PL space, whether domestic or foreign, is the strongest driver of leasing. They are forecasted to continue to be the most significant lessors of logistics and industrial space in the Americas. Second is manufacturing. And third are retailers and wholesalers.
Q: In early February, President Donald Trump threw out and then paused imposing tariffs on small-value packages arriving from China. Have you seen any shifts from companies that are processing these changes?
A: Not yet. Commercial real estate doesn't react as quickly as the stock market, so it takes longer for policies of any kind to work through the system.
We are seeing retailers and wholesalers planning for potential changes. But broadly, there's a lack of sufficient clarity in terms of policies. So, we're not seeing anyone making meaningful changes to their network.factory
06 March 2025
aviation week network factory
Inaugural Baafex Sees Higher Than Expected Traffic, Organizers SayNot availablefactory
06 March 2025
aviation week network factory
Israir Plans U.S. Return After 16-Year Hiatus Amid Capacity ShortfallIsrair Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) seeking a foreign air carrier permit to resume scheduled flights between Tel Aviv and New York, marking the carrier’s return to the U.S. market after a 16-year hiatus.
The move comes as part of efforts to address an ongoing capacity shortfall on routes between Israel and the U.S., where available seats remain about 42% lower than two years ago, prior to the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.
According to the application, the Israeli airline plans to launch six weekly nonstop roundtrips between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and the New York region starting July 1. The route will be operated using Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
In addition to scheduled passenger service, Israir plans to operate charter flights under the U.S.-Israel Air Transport Agreement. The airline last served the U.S. market in 2009 before suspending operations due to “market conditions” at the time.
Israir’s request aligns with the broader efforts by Israeli airlines to enhance connectivity with the U.S. given the shortage of international service to and from Israel that has arisen following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.
Arkia Airlines in February launched nonstop service between Tel Aviv and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), while El Al Israel Airlines is currently offering 41 roundtrip flights per week across six routes, up from 34 weekly flights in March 2023.
However, U.S. carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have outlined plans to resume service to Israel following the first stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire announced on Jan. 19.
According to data from OAG Schedules Analyser, United will be the first to restart flights, with daily Newark-Tel Aviv service resuming on March 15 using Boeing 787-10 aircraft. Delta will then reinstate daily JFK-Tel Aviv flights from April 1, operating using A330-900neo equipment. Despite this, American Airlines has yet to announce a return date.
Before the Israel-Hamas war, American operated flights to Tel Aviv from JFK and Miami, while Delta served the city from Atlanta, Boston and JFK. United offered the most extensive network, connecting Tel Aviv with Newark, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.
DOT is accepting responses to Israir’s application through March 25.factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
China Slams U.S. TariffsChina will not yield to bullying and its economy can weather higher tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and other challenges, the Chinese commerce minister said Thursday, though he added that there are "no winners in a trade war."
Speaking on the sidelines of the annual session of China's national congress, Wang Wentao reiterated Beijing's calls for talks. Coercion and threats are bound to fail, he said, noting that China's role as a main trading partner of 140 nations means it has plenty of options. Wang and other officials outlined Beijing's strategies for building its economy and financial markets, but did not announce any major new initiatives.
Here are some highlights:
The Trump administration has raised tariffs on imports from China twice since taking office in January. China has hit back with duties and other restrictions on American goods and companies. Wang said China expects mutual respect in its dealings with other countries.
"Coercion and threats will not work on China, nor will they scare China. China's determination to defend its own interests is unswerving," Wang said, adding that "there are no winners in a trade war."
"If the American side goes further down this wrong path, we will continue to respond in kind," he said. "We will fight to the end."
Still, he stressed that China is open to resolving differences over trade. "Our two sides can meet at an appropriate time and our teams can also have communication as early as possible," he said.
Blaming China for the U.S. fentanyl problem — Trump's stated reason for imposing 20% tariffs on all imports from China — won't solve the problem, he said.
China is the main trading partner of 140 countries and regions and has free trade agreements with more than 30 countries, Wang said.
"We are ready to sign more FTA," he added.
Wang acknowledged that Chinese exporters face serious challenges but said Beijing is encouraging companies to participate in trade shows and to expand globally. The Chinese government is also expanding its financial support for export credit and hopes to increase trade in services and e-commerce.
"We do not put all our eggs in one basket," he said.
A slump in China's housing market and lackluster share prices, scant social welfare and job losses since the COVID-19 pandemic have weighed on China's economy, dragging on growth.
Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's main national planning agency, acknowledged that forecasts for economic growth for 2025 tend to be around 4.6% to 4.8%, below the government's target of "around 5%."
Zheng said the government is drafting a "specialized plan of action" to encourage more consumer spending and investment. He did not provide specific details.
China will spend more on "livelihood and consumption," Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said, promising more help for deeply indebted local governments and bigger investments in education, social security and public health.
"We will make sure that every coin is well spent," Lan said, adding that "the central government has left ample room for policy to be implemented."factory
06 March 2025
manufacturing net
Data Security Solution Enhances Resilience Across Cloud And Saas PlatformsRubrik recently announced upgrades designed to enhance protection for cloud, SaaS, and on-premises environments in order to anticipate breaches, detect potential threats, and recover with speed and efficiency, regardless of data location.
“Cyber criminals won’t stop innovating, and neither will we. Our utmost priority is the security, safety, and appropriate accessibility of our customer’s data, regardless of where the data lives,” said Arvind Nithrakashyap, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Rubrik.
Some examples include:factory
06 March 2025industry week
Mexico, Canada Tariffs Paused Until April: Dc WatchPresident Donald J. Trump says a lot of things every day that could affect manufacturers’ strategies. His social media posts, executive orders and comments to the news media, in addition to responses to those developments, can generate a lot of noise and confusion. So, welcome to DC Watch. In this space, we’ll collect the latest comments from politicians that could impact manufacturing and offer a little bit of context. We will continue to write in-depth material about big political issues impacting the manufacturing world – from tax and trade changes to regulatory overhauls. Many of those articles will start out here as Washington publicly debates the merits of various proposals.factory
06 March 2025industry week
Us Trade Gap Hits New Record In January As Tariff Fears LoomedThe U.S. trade deficit surged to a new record in January, government data showed Thursday, as imports spiked while tariff worries flared in the month of President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Trump returned to the White House this year with pledges to ease cost-of-living pressures for voters, but on the campaign trail he also raised the possibility of sweeping levies across U.S. imports.
The overall trade gap of the world's biggest economy ballooned 34% to $131.4 billion, on the back of a 10% jump in imports for the month, said the Commerce Department.
This was the widest deficit for a month on record, dating back to 1992, and the expansion was more than analysts anticipated.
The latest figures came after the U.S. economy saw its goods deficit hit a fresh record too for the full year of 2024 -- at $1.2 trillion.
In January, imports came in at $401.2 billion, and this was $36.6 billion more than the level in December, Commerce Department data showed.
U.S. exports, meanwhile, rose $3.3 billion between December and January to $269.8 billion.
Among sectors, imports of industrial goods jumped, and imports of consumer goods rose notably by $6.0 billion.
Analysts say that the deficit was likely bolstered by gold imports.
But "stripping out this impact, all other imports rose 5.5%, indicating front-loading of shipments was in full swing," said Oxford Economics Senior Economist Matthew Martin.
This refers to a tendency for businesses to try and get ahead of additional costs from potential tariffs, as well as possible supply chain disruptions down the line.
"The impact of new tariff proposals make the outlook uncertain," Martin said.
Economists Samuel Tombs and Oliver Allen of Pantheon Macroeconomics said of the surge in gold imports: "Tariff threats are reportedly prompting a mass repatriation of gold holdings to the U.S. from elsewhere, mostly via Switzerland."
But other analysts like Carl Weinberg and Mary Chen of High Frequency Economics caution that they are looking for a "snapback in imports" in February and March figures to show if importers are truly seeking to get ahead of Trump's levies.
"It is hard to prove that," they said in a note.
U.S. deficits with other economies were a key focus of Trump's first administration from 2017 to 2021, and at the time he waged a bruising tariffs war with China in particular.
This time the Trump administration has referred to tariffs as a means to raise government revenue, remedy imbalances and exert pressure on other governments over American priorities.
In January, U.S. goods deficits with China and the European Union both widened.
On the campaign trail last year ahead of November's election, Trump vowed reciprocal tariffs on nations that taxed U.S.-made products, dubbing this the "Trump Reciprocal Trade Act."
Since returning to office, the Republican has launched plans for "reciprocal tariffs" tailored to each U.S. trading partner to tackle trade practices deemed unfair by Washington.
He has promised an announcement on these levies on April 2, while also threatening tariffs on other imports ranging from semiconductors to autos.
Trump hiked tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in his first presidential term too -- an action he has revived since returning to office.
A sharp 25% levy on the metals is set to take effect this month.
All rights reserved ©2025 Agence France-Pressefactory
06 March 2025industry week
Kaizen, Lean And Ai For Manufacturing Operational Excellence: Production PulseStop pretending to know it all if you want to be a great manufacturing leader, and AI tools could help you do that.
Those were a few of the insights from an experts panel discussion on the proper uses of kaizen, lean and other continuous improvement strategies in the modern factory. Responding to an audience question, AI took center stage and some of the brightest minds in operational excellence detailed how these tools could improve managers' abilities to empower workforces and drive improvements.
The panel for the livestream was:factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
How Trump Justifies His TariffsWASHINGTON (AP) — To President Donald Trump, "tariff" is more than "the most beautiful word in the dictionary," something he says often.
Tariffs, in Trump's view, are also a cure for a number of the nation's ills and the tool to reach new heights.
Most economists see taxes paid on imports as capable of addressing unfair trade practices, but they're skeptical of the quasi-miraculous properties that Trump claims they possess.
As the Republican president has touched off a trade war with America's trading partners, he has offered an array of reasons to justify the steep tariffs he's imposing or considering on goods coming from Mexico, Canada, China and beyond, despite warnings from experts that adding taxes to imported goods leads to higher prices for U.S. businesses and consumers.
A look at Trump's assortment of justifications for the tariffs he's imposing:
Trump, in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, said his threats of tariffs had spurred more U.S. manufacturing in the auto industry.
"Plants are opening up all over the place," Trump said.
In comments directed at manufacturers, the president added: "If you don't make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and in some cases a rather large one."
Trump, however, is granting a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for U.S. automakers, as worries persist that the newly launched trade war could crush domestic manufacturing. The pause comes after Trump spoke with leaders of the Big 3 automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, on Wednesday, the White House press secretary said.
Stopping illegal immigration has been one of Trump's top priorities, and he's used it as part of the rationale behind steep tariffs he's imposing on America's border nations, Canada and Mexico.
Trump last month gave both countries a temporary reprieve from his tariff threats after they took steps to appease his concerns about border security, including Canada's move to list Mexican cartels as terrorist groups and Mexico's announcement it would send 10,000 troops from its National Guard to its northern border.
On Sunday, Trump posted on his social media network: "ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS LAST MONTH WERE THE LOWEST EVER RECORDED. THANK YOU!!!"
The next day, Trump announced he was imposing the tariffs anyway and said there was "no room left" for those countries to avoid the taxes.
Trump has also cited the illicit flow of fentanyl into America as a reason for his tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, though a much smaller amount comes across America's northern border than its southern border.
U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds (19.5 kilograms) of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds (9,570 kilograms) at the Mexican border.
Trump, in a post on his Truth social media network on Wednesday, said that when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked what could be done about the tariffs, "I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped."
Trump's order imposing tariffs on China says that country's government provides a "safe haven" for criminal organizations to "launder the revenues from the production, shipment, and sale of illicit synthetic opioids."
Last month, when Trump spoke at an investment summit in Miami, he said tariffs will help balance the federal budget.
"We're trying to balance the budget immediately, and because of the tariff income, which is really go- — it's — it's already turned out to be amazing, actually," Trump said. "It's really meant more for bringing countries and companies into our country, but it's — the numbers are rather staggering, because we're the big piggy bank that everybody wants to be."
"I've decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff," Trump said last month as he signed a proclamation laying out his plan for reciprocal tariffs. "It's fair to all. No other country can complain."
In his address to Congress, Trump explained his push for reciprocal tariffs on all countries, which he said will start April 2, as a tit for tat.
"Whatever they tariff us, other countries, we will tariff them. That's reciprocal back and forth," Trump said. "Whatever they tax us, we will tax them."
Trump signed executive orders in February and March instructing the Commerce Department to consider whether tariffs on imported copper, lumber and timber were needed to protect national security.
The order Trump signed in February said copper plays a vital role in U.S. defense, infrastructure and emerging technologies, and it ordered Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to investigate "actions to mitigate such threats, including potential tariffs."
Wooden products are used by the construction industry and the military, and they depend upon a strong lumber industry in the U.S. to meet those needs, according to the order Trump signed in March.
Last year, as Trump campaigned again for the presidency, he frequently proselytized his tariff plans and in one appearance suggested tariffs could help solve rising child care costs.
In response to a question about how he'd tackle child care costs so more women could join the workforce, Trump brought up his plan to hike taxes on imports and said, "We're going to be taking in trillions of dollars, and as much as child care is talked about as being expensive, it's — relatively speaking — not very expensive, compared to the kind of numbers we'll be taking in."
Trump has several times said the revenue collected from tariffs will make the country wealthy.
In his speech to Congress, Trump said: "Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again."
Also during his Tuesday address before Congress, Trump spotlighted an Alabama steelworker who attended the speech.
"Stories like Jeff's remind us that tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs," Trump said. "They're about protecting the soul of our country."factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Chevron Using Ai-Powered Drones For Remote InspectionsPercepto and Chevron have reached a six-month milestone to evaluate use of the drone company's AI-powered remote inspection capabilities. The project has demonstrated promising improvements in operational efficiency and advancing workforce safety.
The test case launched near Midland, Texas, was designed to evaluate the impact of AI-driven autonomous monitoring on Chevron's facility management. An important driver for the test was a reduction in time spent on the road for field teams, allowing personnel to focus on other valuable activities in the basin.
The test period also demonstrated the potential ability to detect issues more quickly and with higher resolution indication of point of origination, enhancing operational performance without increasing workload.
The Percepto technology leverages AI in a couple of ways. First, the drone itself flies on automated missions with logic built in from pre-programmed flights. Secondly, when the drone is on a mission, AI built into the software enables automated alerts when it detects any anomalies to normal operations.
By integrating Percepto's remote inspections with other facility management technologies—such as remotely operated valves and sensors—the integrated system can optimize the need for personnel to physically travel to remote sites while improving response times to potential issues.
Over the first 90 days of deployment, Chevron has seen indications of:
As regulatory requirements evolve and expectations for operational excellence increase, autonomous monitoring is emerging as a critical tool for companies managing large-scale assets. Deployments underscore a broader trend in the energy industry — scaling AI and automation to enable and enhance operations.
Chevron's early success in leveraging autonomous monitoring reinforces its leadership in adopting cutting-edge technology to optimize operations.factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Posital Announces Ultra-Heavy-Duty Absolute, Incremental Rotary EncodersPosital has introduced a new series of IXARC rotary encoders designed for applications where high shaft loadings may be encountered. With heavy-duty housings and shaft bearings, these units are designed to withstand radial shaft loads of up to 350 N (80 pounds) and axial loads as high as 250 N (56 pounds), making them ideal for the challenging operating conditions encountered in marine and off-shore facilities, cargo-handling cranes, construction equipment, and machinery for the forestry and logging industries.
These encoders are available with either aluminum or V4A (312L) stainless steel housings. The corrosion-resistant stainless-steel option is an ideal choice for mines, off-shore facilities and chemical plants. IP67-rated seals on the shaft entry and connectors protect internal components from dust and immersion in water or other fluids, while a semi-permeable protective membrane reduces moisture build up inside the housing. These measures prolong the life of electronic components and reduce the risk of measurement errors due to condensation on the optical code disk.
These devices can withstand shocks as high as 200 g and continuous vibrations up to 20 g. (100 g shock and 10 g vibration for multiturn absolute versions) and have an operating temperature range of -40° C to +80° C (-40° to 176° F)..They have been certified by an independent testing authorities as meeting ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in environments with potentially dangerous levels of flammable gases or dust (Zones 2 and 22).
Heavy-duty IXARC encoders are offered in absolute and incremental versions, both based on POSITAL’s well-proven optical measurement technology. Absolute versions feature 13-bit resolution, with a range of 4096 revolutions for multiturn variants. Multiple interface options are available, including PROFINET (RT or IRT), SSI, CANopen, EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP. Three M12 connectors on the housing, enable users to daisy-chain several devices together for more convenient cable layouts. Indicator LEDs on the endplate simplify system setup and troubleshooting. For incremental encoders, customers have the choice of forty-six resolution values, starting at two pulses per revolution (PPR) and going up to 4096 PPR. (Others are available by special order.) Accuracy is ±0.002°. The output driver for incremental models supports RS 422 (TTL) communications.
For more information, visit posital.com.factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Report Details The Growing Range Of RisksTXOne Networks, a leading provider of Cyber-Physical Systems security, recently published its annual report on operational technology cybersecurity, detailing risks such as supply-chain vulnerabilities, aging infrastructure, patching difficulties and gaps in incident response. The new report reveals heightened concerns over digital vulnerabilities potentially introduced in deployment of industrial control systems, such as smart sensors, edge-computing devices, asset-tracking solutions and remote-monitoring tools.
“How can organizations effectively secure these interconnected systems against cyber threats? This is the pressing challenge confronting Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) worldwide,” reads TXOne Networks’ 2024 Annual OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report.
“Traditionally, cybersecurity strategies have focused on safeguarding IT (information technology) systems and their digital assets. However, as industries undergo continuous digitalization, critical infrastructure is increasingly integrated into unified digital ecosystems, broadening the attack surface. The intrinsic differences between OT and IT systems often render IT-centric security measures inadequate when applied to OT environments.
"With OT systems now deeply interconnected, the shortcomings of conventional IT protections have become glaringly evident, particularly in light of the safety, availability, and reliability characteristics of these systems.” Some key findings include:
“As large enterprises strengthen their security posture, the focus of OT cybersecurity is expanding beyond visibility to include protection, advanced threat detection, and robust security governance,” said Dr. Terence Liu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TXOne Networks. “Asset discovery and vulnerability management are merely starting points. The persistent rise in OT cyberattacks, as highlighted in this year’s report, underscores the urgent need for organizations—especially those without dedicated OT security practices—to take action."factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Delta, Jetzero Partner To Design Sustainable AircraftDelta Air Lines is partnering with JetZero on a more sustainable aircraft that looks and feels like nothing flying today’s commercial skies. The California-based start-up’s vastly more fuel efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) design is at the center of the collaboration and is one facet of Delta’s ongoing journey to advance industry innovation, drive down cost through increased fuel-savings, elevate the customer experience and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Delta’s formal partnership with JetZero comes after the start-up received a grant from the U.S. Air Force in 2023 to help facilitate building a full-scale demonstrator for first flight in 2027. Delta will play a crucial role in the development by providing the operational expertise to help make this technology viable.
As the newest member of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab, JetZero has the direct support of the global carrier’s world-class talent and access to its industry-leading operations. That includes the right maintenance and operational footprints to prove out and accelerate the commercialization of the BWB airframe technology – which is expected to be up to 50% more fuel efficient than the tube-and-wing design customers experience today. The partnership with JetZero marks Delta’s fourth “revolutionary fleet” partnership outlined in its Sustainability Roadmap launched in 2023: a groundbreaking, transparent roadmap by which Delta aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The global airline will also help design an interior experience of the future to ensure a best-in-class customer and employee experience. The uniquely shaped airframe, that differs from today’s tube-and-wing shape, offers endless possibilities. With Delta at the helm of designing the interiors, customers can expect changes that enhance their experience, including dedicated overhead bin space for each passenger, accessible seats and lavatories, and fewer rows.
The revolutionary BWB aircraft, first tested and demonstrated in the 1990s by NASA and Stanford University to be safe and efficient, will also be capable of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) when it goes into service, since it will use today’s engine propulsion systems.
Aircraft manufacturers have made incredible advancements to increase overall commercial aircraft fuel efficiency since passenger jets were first introduced. In fact, fleet fuel efficiency is estimated to be 80% better than 50 years ago. At the same time, Delta has continued making fleet modifications – like adding winglets and lightweight landing gear to further the effort. In fact, Delta’s cross-divisional Carbon Council saved a cumulative 40+ million gallons of fuel in 2024 due to operational efficiencies, fleet modifications, and reduced weight on board. But the industry agrees that more is needed, and quickly.
This U.S. Air Force’s grant, coupled with support from partners such as Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, and ongoing coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, further validates for major aviation stakeholders that the BWB design is a solution within reach. Delta has informally partnered with JetZero since 2021 on how to best commercialize the aircraft as part of the start-up's grant application.
JetZero’s BWB aircraft are expected to include a slate of revolutionary benefits for consumers and for environmental sustainability including:factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Cybersecurity Budgets Lag As Attacks SurgeSANS Institute, a leading provider of cybersecurity training and research, recently unveiled their 2025 ICS/OT Cybersecurity Budget Report, revealing significant gaps in cybersecurity budgets and a surge in ICS/OT-focused attacks. The report highlights how insufficient funding, misaligned priorities, and fragmented defenses are leaving critical infrastructure exposed to increasingly sophisticated threats.
While 55 percent of organizations reported increased ICS/OT cybersecurity budgets over the past two years, much of that investment remains heavily skewed toward technology, with limited focus on operational resilience. This imbalance, combined with the convergence of IT and OT environments, creates new vulnerabilities that adversaries are exploiting. Some key findings include:
Dean Parsons, Principal Instructor and CEO and Principal Consultant of ICS Defense Force stated, "The evolving threat landscape in ICS/OT demands more than just deploying the five ICS Cybersecurity critical controls. Effective critical infrastructure defense requires a strategic investment in ICS/OT-specific security training, ensuring that those responsible for monitoring ICS controls have a deep understanding of control system networks.
"Organizations that fail to reevaluate their threats to their ICS environments leave critical infrastructure vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Protecting these engineering systems isn’t optional—it’s essential for operational resilience and national security.” The full report can be downloaded by clicking here.factory
06 March 2025manufacturing net
Trump'S Fda Nominee Faces Senate Questions After Agency Layoffs, ResignationsPresident Donald Trump's pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration is set to answer Senate questions Thursday about his plans for the agency, which may soon be at the center of an administration plan to scrutinize vaccines, antidepressants and ultraprocessed foods.
Dr. Marty Makary — a surgeon, author and researcher — is known for his contrarian views and outspoken criticism of the medical establishment. Like health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Makary traces many of the health issues afflicting Americans to food additives, overprescribing of drugs and the influence of drugmakers, insurers and food companies.
To become commissioner, he'll need a majority vote from members of the Senate's health committee, who will question him Thursday morning. A confirmation vote by the full Senate is expected later this month.
The FDA has long been a target for Kennedy, who last year vowed to "clear out" entire departments at the agency, including those overseeing nutrition. Kennedy recently called for a "Make America Healthy Again" commission to review the safety of vaccines, antidepressants, stimulants and weight-loss drugs — all products regulated by the FDA — particularly in children.
The approach has been lauded by most Republicans. But Senate Democrats are expected to push Makary on his willingness to break with Kennedy on key issues, including the safety and benefits of childhood vaccinations.
FDA commissioners aren't typically involved in the agency's day-to-day scientific reviews, but they often serve as a buffer between FDA staff and political appointees elsewhere in government.
For his part, Makary has been critical of the agency he would lead. While working as a Fox News contributor during COVID-19, he called the FDA "broken" and "mired in politics and red tape."
Despite such views, Makary is considered one of Trump's more conventional health nominees and is widely expected to be confirmed. Before the pandemic, Makary was mainly known for influential studies of medical errors, hospital costs and overprescribing of opioids.
Headquartered in the suburbs outside Washington, the FDA oversees medical products plus billions of dollars in consumer goods, including most foods, cosmetics and vaping products.
Makary would take over at a particularly turbulent period for the agency. Last month, the FDA abruptly fired hundreds of medical reviewers, researchers and inspectors, only to rehire some of them a week later. Several senior FDA officials have resigned or retired in recent months. The agency is also expected to lose more staffers to buyouts, further layoffs and return-to-office requirements.
Among other issues facing the agency:
In government ethics forms, Makary recently said he has cut financial ties with several companies that could be impacted by his work at FDA, including telehealth and drug companies that sell compounded versions of FDA-approved drugs.factory
06 March 2025