We have a common refrain in this edition of IndustryWeek’s Weekly Reads, and it is: Tariff talk continues to dominate the interest of the IW manufacturing community. However, a few additional topics have snared attention, including technology strategy at Oshkosh, and kaizen, lean and operational excellence.
What follows is this week’s Top 10 most-perused content and one Editor’s Choice. Enjoy.
Trump’s Tariff Plan: A Strategic Move to Reshore Manufacturing: It is crucial to understand the broader vision driving these initiatives.
Oshkosh Keeps Tech in Check: Manufacturing multiple, specialized product lines leaves no room for siloed development if you want to stay ahead of the competition.
Trump Revokes 50% Tariff Threat on Canadian Metals: DC Watch: President Trump says that after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum, tariffs are on pause until April.
Kaizen, Lean and AI for Manufacturing Operational Excellence: Production Pulse: Continuous improvement experts shared how they'd use modern tools to bring manufacturing intelligence to the shop floor, getting the right tools in front of the people doing the work.
Organizational Alignment: The Secret Weapon for Future Growth: Manufacturers of highly engineered products need their own formula for competitive advantage.
Tariff Threat Impacts on Manufacturing: Chaos and Uncertainty: Tariff-driven instability in the supply chain could drive manufacturers to reshore production.
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 Aerospace CEO Says Supply-Chain Problems Persist: Issues with mechanical suppliers look set to linger “for some time” but investments have begun making a difference, Jim Currier told a JPMorgan gathering.
Panama Canal Ports Takeover and a Closer Look at Union Policy in Trump's Second Term: IndustryWeek's Weekly Reads: Also, quit whining about complying with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
US Trading Partners Hit Back on Blanket Steel, Aluminum Tariffs: Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs will likely balloon costs of producing goods from home appliances to automobiles and cans used for drinks, threatening to raise consumer prices down the road, experts say.
Editor’s Choice
It's Time to Enter the 2025 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards Competition: If your manufacturing plant is a showcase of operational excellence, then we’re looking for you.
