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How Kubota Tractor Farms Technology
industry week
How Kubota Tractor Farms TechnologyUnless manufacturers thoroughly understand the problems they’re trying to solve with technology— and can work with the mercurial nature of tech companies — they’re wasting time, money, and putting tried-and-true processes at risk. If you don’t really understand the pain point, you could solve for a technology problem, but it’s the wrong problem. You could miss a chance to lock up IP and surrender long term competitive advantage. And you could wind up with multiple companies, organizations and departments who cannot coordinate with one another and figure out how to commercialize anything.  The challenge feels pronounced for a company like Kubota, a venerable component of the heavy industrial sector. Kubota built its reputation on manufacturing tractors and construction equipment – tough solid vehicles built to withstand punishment and the test of time. Kubota’s R&D process takes between 18 months and two years to ensure adherence to the company’s unyielding quality standards. Technology startups don’t operate that way. They are serial risk takers with high tolerance for failure, creating success from nimble iteration. So how does a company like Kubota manage to blend stable, predictable product design strategies with tech companies whose rapid iteration cycles feel unstable by comparison? You don’t. That’s what Todd Stucke, president of Kubota Tractor, finally realized. The solution lies in hooking these two very different ways of operating under a new, shared leadership structure specifically for technology development, giving one room to breathe without sacrificing the quality standards enforced by the other.
factory
Feb 14, 2025
Cherry-Picking, Trade Disputes And What Is Kaizen: Iw'S Weekly Reads
industry week
Cherry-Picking, Trade Disputes And What Is Kaizen: Iw'S Weekly ReadsWelcome to IndustryWeek's Weekly Reads, our look back at the most popular content over the past seven days. Not surprisingly, tariffs-related articles continued to attract significant attention. Without further ado, our Top 10 (plus one Editor's Choice)are: As Tariffs Concerns Grow, Where Is the USMCA?: Dispute resolution mechanisms and a looming review in 2026 may shape the future of North American trade. Honeywell to Split into Three Separate Companies: Following General Electric's lead, Honeywell unveils plans to split into three divisions - aerospace, industrial automation and advanced materials - to unlock value and meet market demand. Tariffs and Pricing Adjustments: A Roadmap for Manufacturers: History has taught us that companies that move quickly on price tend to better maintain profitability. Trump Announces 25% Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Starting in March: DC Watch: They do not include provisions for appeals from steel and aluminum users who cannot find domestic suppliers of specialty alloys. The Real Meaning of Kaizen: One of the most powerful shifts you can make is moving from being the sole problem-solver to empowering others to solve problems. As Trade Policies Shift, Are There New Opportunities for Additive? How manufacturers are meeting new challenges with 3D printing technology. Ford’s Farley: ‘We Can’t Just Cherry-Pick’ With Tariffs: The auto maker’s CEO says his team could ride out a few weeks of tariffs but questions why Korean and Japanese competitors aren’t facing protectionist measures. ISM Report: Manufacturing Activity Enters Expansion Territory Following 26 Months of Contraction: Eight out of 16 manufacturing industries reported growth in January. Explainer: What Employers Should Know about ICE: Best practices for employers concerned about immigration enforcement. So That Happened: Robotics Sales Stuck in Neutral: IndustryWeek editors write about that and trends in CEO hiring, big investments from three companies to support electricity-hungry industries and a new contract for GE Appliances workers in Kentucky. Editor's Choice:  Enter the 2025 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards Competition: If your manufacturing plant is a showcase of operational excellence, then we’re looking for you.
factory
Feb 14, 2025
Ev Notes: Rivian, Freyr And Polestar Leaders Face Big Market Changes
industry week
Ev Notes: Rivian, Freyr And Polestar Leaders Face Big Market ChangesIn the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election, the electric vehicle industry is in a unique spot. On one hand, one of Trump’s closest confidants, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is pro-EVs, but Trump himself has also issued executive orders to “end EV mandates” as well as paused funding for EV chargers. As EV-related companies begin to report their fourth quarter and full year earnings for 2024, here’s what company leaders are saying about the state of things.
factory
Feb 14, 2025
Generation Now Leadership: Growing Engineering Talent From The Ground Up At Conceptual Innovations
industry week
Generation Now Leadership: Growing Engineering Talent From The Ground Up At Conceptual Innovations“I was loosely friends with some of their younger siblings, so I got roped into the mix, and then all of a sudden we have this robotics team,” Bretes says. “We had no idea what we were getting into; the adults that we were with had no idea what we were getting into.” The team worked with a local company to build the robot, but it was the competition itself that made a lasting impact on Bretes. “The second you get to competition, it’s like this whole new world,” Bretes says. He credits these robotics competitions as the first major experience that sparked his passion for manufacturing. “If you ever get to experience a FIRST Robotics competition … it’s unlike anything else.” Bretes’ world changed again during his junior year when engineer Elmer Lee became a mentor for the robotics team. At the time, Lee worked for Caster Concepts, which makes a variety of industrial casters, wheels and accessories. Lee’s involvement as a mentor changed the game. Before long, the students were confidently engineering. “He helped us figure out how to identify problems and then understand that there is a way for us to solve them,” Bretes says. “It was revolutionary.” The students went to Caster Concepts in the evenings to work on design. This is where Bretes experienced a second spark of passion for making things. “We would sit in this engineering office and draw a part, and then we turn around and it’s off the laser on the ground behind us,” he says. “That was my first real exposure to manufacturing … that is what got me hooked.” From then on, Bretes says his excitement for engineering only continued to grow. “Every single day, I wanted to do nothing other than robotics,” he says. Bretes even extended his work into the evening with CAD software he had at home. At the end of Bretes' senior year, Lee asked him to stop by Caster Concepts after school. Bretes went to Caster Concepts wearing a T-shirt and cargo shorts and chatted with Lee about what he wanted to do in the future, unaware that he was actually in the midst of a job interview. After the chat was over, “[Lee] is like, ‘How do you think your first interview went?’ I was like ‘Wait, what? What are you talking about? First interview?’ And then he tells me, ‘Hey, I would love it if you could come and work over the summer at Caster as an intern,’” Bretes says. He enthusiastically accepted and got to work right away. “Wednesday’s the last day of school. The following Monday I started working at Caster as an engineering intern.” For the next few years, Bretes interned while attending college. He split his time between engineering and working in production for Conceptual Innovations, the robotics division of Caster Concepts. It makes powered material handling solutions, including motorized carts and casters. It was during this internship that Bretes, Lee and the other interns began working on the first iteration of what would become one of his greatest achievements: HaloDrive, an omnidirectional drive system that “replaces the job of something that previously only an overhead crane can do,” he says. “We used all of the parts that I was super familiar with from FIRST Robotics in high school, and we made a small-scale version.” All of a sudden, Lee said he wanted to show the technology to a leading aerospace manufacturer, and before he knew it, Conceptual had orders for industrial versions of the system. “It is so incredible to see the iterations that we made of this HaloDrive on a small scale and how it has transformed into this incredible product that seriously solves big problems,” Bretes says. The experience earned Bretes his first patent, and he says the HaloDrive development is what he is most proud of. Throughout his time in college, Caster/Conceptual sponsored tuition, and in the spring of 2023, Bretes received his degree in mechanical engineering. “Caster/Conceptual supported me the whole way through that, which 100% made it possible for me to get my degree,” Bretes says. Following graduation, he started his current full-time position as research and development engineer. Bretes’ responsibilities include designing, building and debugging his own R&D projects, production testing, on-site installations, risk management and building project timelines. In addition, Bretes now oversees the internship program that he was once part of, managing intern projects and providing guidance when needed. Bretes relates to many of the interns through their common experience of high school robotics, and he wants to share that enthusiasm and energy with employees who come from different backgrounds. As a young leader, Bretes aims to foster a team environment by “always trying to be the person that people want to work with.” It’s a piece of advice Bretes says he “stole” from Adam Savage of “MythBusters” fame. “If you’re able to work with people and people want to work with you, you don’t have to solve problems alone,” Bretes says.
factory
Feb 13, 2025
Tapping Into The Power Of Peers: You’Re Not Too Important To Try
industry week
Tapping Into The Power Of Peers: You’Re Not Too Important To TryTim Sanders, a former Yahoo! executive says, “Your network is your net worth.” This simple but powerful statement underscores an essential truth in the world of business: Relationships matter. However, in today’s fast-paced, results-driven environment, business leaders often find themselves caught up in daily responsibilities. It can be difficult to step away from the endless to-do lists and meetings to focus on expanding your network. The key to cultivating meaningful relationships is simple: Start by helping others. When you focus on offering value first, trust is built over time—and eventually, those connections will open doors to new opportunities, collaborations and even business ventures. I see this play out every month in the manufacturing executive peer group I lead for the University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Resources. Local manufacturing executives gather for a half-day meeting to discuss the challenges, opportunities and decisions they face in their respective businesses. Is it tough to take time away from their busy schedules? Of course. But the value they gain from the meetings is immense. Each session allows the executives to share insights, problem-solve together and explore creative solutions to tough issues. But the real magic happens when these leaders realize the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping one another. It’s not just about receiving advice—it’s about sharing knowledge, offering insights and collectively growing stronger. There’s something deeply rewarding about helping others succeed, and that sense of community fosters a deeper connection and commitment among the group. What began as a way for manufacturers to gain insights and support from their peers has grown into something much more meaningful. For example, one executive has gone on to start a consulting firm focused on helping other manufacturers improve their financials and operations. Many of them are now collaborating on business ventures, and it's common for them to tap into each other's networks when resources or introductions are needed. Each person is invested in helping others succeed. There is also a healthy dose of peer pressure. As we began the New Year, I asked everyone to pick a one-word goal as their focus for the upcoming year. They each shared their word and its definition with the group. By committing to these goals publicly, each person knows they will be held accountable by their peers, and this collective energy helps everyone stay focused and motivated. Throughout the year, the group will check in on the progress each individual has made, pushing each other toward growth and improvement. As a leader you need to surround yourself with people who uplift, challenge and support you in meaningful ways. When you invest in those around you, you build a network of people who are invested in your success. There is a sense of belonging, purpose and accountability. A peer group fosters an environment of mutual growth and success that propels everyone forward. Whitney Winters, a peer group participant and president of Meco Corp., says, “Surrounding yourself with a strong peer group at the executive level provides invaluable strategic insight and support. Engaging with like-minded leaders creates a confidential space to navigate high-pressure challenges and gain industry intelligence. More than just a network, a peer group becomes a trusted circle for professional growth, leadership development and emotional resilience, leaving me with a feeling that no executive must lead alone.” The power of peers is real. It can create opportunities, inspire growth and provide a deep sense of fulfillment. Are you ready to step away from the day-to-day and invest in yourself by building your network?
factory
Feb 13, 2025
Trump Wants Reciprocal Tariffs On All Imports: Dc Watch
industry week
Trump Wants Reciprocal Tariffs On All Imports: 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
Feb 13, 2025
The Real Meaning Of Kaizen
industry week
The Real Meaning Of KaizenContinuous improvement has become a must-have business mindset to innovate and stay ahead of competition. Working in manufacturing, you probably know kaizen— the Japanese word often translated as “continuous improvement” or “change for good.” It’s widely used in business operations, but too often, kaizen is seen only as a set of tools or a one-off “kaizen” event. You might not realize the deeper meaning of kaizen – and its potential for accelerating impact when integrated fully into everyday practices. Kaizen is not just about improving processes, applying tools or holding a one-time improvement event. Kaizen is something you live and practice every day. It’s a mindset and a way of life, starting with yourself. When I moved to Japan a decade ago, I studied the language and discovered the true depth behind many words we commonly associate with lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System. One of those words was kaizen. I learned that the two kanji symbols making up kaizen—"Kai" and "Zen"—go far beyond simply "change" and "good." The symbol “Kai” consists of two sub-symbols representing “self” and “whip.” “Self-whip” suggests discipline—starting with yourself and the willingness to look inward to make personal improvements.  The kanji representing “zen”—translated directly as “good” – represent two sub-symbols representing “sheep” and “altar,” or put together to mean “sacrifice” When understood this way, the real essence of kaizen starts to reveal its true power. It’s the self-discipline to make sacrifices for the good—by letting go of and changing mindsets and behaviors that no longer serve you or your team. It’s about creating the habit to see every situation as a chance for improvement—for yourself, your teams, and the processes around you –to create better outcomes for the collective good.  I often play Devo’s song “Whip It” when sharing this deeper meaning of kaizen in keynote talks and leadership workshops. “Whipping it” is the self-discipline to improve yourself. As I explored in a previous IndustryWeek article, this means you have to have the discipline to forget everything you’ve learned about what leadership is about and create new habits better aligned with creating an organizational problem-solving culture. As a leader or operational-excellence practitioner, one of the most powerful shifts you can make is moving from being the sole problem-solver to empowering others to solve problems. In the song “Whip It,” the lyrics say, “When a problem comes along, you must whip it.” When a challenge arises in your organization, do you “whip” the problem into shape or do you end up “whipping” the people involved? A culture of continuous improvement focuses on solving the problem, not blaming individuals. This is another example of the power of kaizen — whip the problem, not the person. This is the foundation of psychological safety. And importantly, kaizen isn’t about you as the leader personally whipping all the problems that emerge in your organization – doing all the problem-solving yourself. The art of unburdened leadership is about you doing less and instead creating opportunities for others on your team to develop the capability and confidence for problem-solving. And this shift requires self-discipline. When everyone adopts a kaizen mindset, you create a continuous loop of learning in your organization, where team members feel empowered to identify opportunities for improvement, collaborate on solutions and implement changes that move the organization forward. And it gives you the space to focus on other, broader organizational problems that need to be solved. By enabling your people to solve problems, you foster a culture of collaboration and ownership—and that’s where true continuous improvement transformation happens. Here are practical steps to truly integrate kaizen into both your personal life and organizational culture: When you embrace the real meaning of kaizen and embed it into your practices and your organization’s culture, it becomes a powerful force for long-term success. Start with yourself to make changes for the better today.
factory
Feb 12, 2025
January Jobs Report Shows Mostly Stable Manufacturing Job Growth
industry week
January Jobs Report Shows Mostly Stable Manufacturing Job GrowthEmployment in manufacturing rose slightly in January 2025 while the overall unemployment rate fell by 0.1 points. According to the latest preliminary figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, durable-goods manufacturing actually lost some jobs last month, but the loss was offset by larger gains in the smaller nondurable-goods sector. January was overall a quiet month for manufacturing-related jobs growth. While employment in the related field of mining and petroleum extraction fell by 8,000 jobs, most other manufacturing-adjacent sectors saw only slight increases or decreases in employment, including transportation and warehousing. The average hourly wage for all private, nonfarm employees rose by 17 cents to $35.87. The average wages for manufacturing workers rose alongside it at a slower pace of 12 cents to $34.64 an hour. Durable-goods wages kept up with average overall wages, increasing an average of 17 cents to $36.74, but were weighted downwards by the slower increase in nondurable goods production, just 3 cents to $31.11. Transportation equipment manufacturers, particularly automotive manufacturers, saw the most dramatic change for manufacturing employment last month. The number of people employed in producing transportation equipment fell by 12,700 in January, including 9,700 in automotive manufacturing. The durable goods sector as a whole lost 3,000 jobs, but small, across-the-board increases in nondurable-goods production of 6,000 more jobs led to a net increase in manufacturing employment last month by about 3,000 jobs. Paper manufacturing and printing saw the highest increase there, with growth of about 1.5 thousand jobs.
factory
Feb 12, 2025
So That Happened: Robotics Sales Stuck In Neutral
industry week
So That Happened: Robotics Sales Stuck In NeutralEditor’s note: Welcome to So That Happened, our editors’ takes on things going on in the manufacturing world that deserve some extra attention. This will appear regularly in the Member’s Only section of the site.
factory
Feb 12, 2025
Manufacturing During Wartime
industry week
Manufacturing During WartimeFor a manufacturer operating in Ukraine near the Polish border, stopping production two or three times a week is a given—not just for quality issues, or troubleshooting a bottleneck, but for your people to get to safety during air-raid alarms. You build in time for power outages, planned or unplanned. Some of your best people may have to leave abruptly when they are called to serve on the front, so you constantly try to recruit other skilled workers who are looking to relocate because your city is farther from the fighting. That’s the reality for ZeWood, a small manufacturer in the river city of Lutsk, that manufactures playful, multidimensional wooden clocks and wall maps of fantasy worlds inspired by books, video games and films.
factory
Feb 11, 2025
Trump May Impose 25% Steel, Aluminum Tariffs: Dc Watch
industry week
Trump May Impose 25% Steel, Aluminum Tariffs: 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
Feb 10, 2025
Trump Announces 25% Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Starting In March: Dc Watch
industry week
Trump Announces 25% Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Starting In March: 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
Feb 10, 2025