Welcome to the final IndustryWeek's Weekly Reads for April. A review of the top content over the past seven days shows a long-form video on 5G at John Deere captured the attention of the IW manufacturing community, as did topics related to tariffs, earnings reports and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Without further ado, here is the list of the Top 10 most-consumed content on IndustryWeek.com over the past seven days.
How John Deere Conquered 5G for Manufacturing: The benefits and challenges of deploying private 5G cellular networks for cutting-edge manufacturing operations.
Rivian’s R2 Will Bring Cheaper Costs, European Expansion: CFO Claire McDonough recently discussed the truck maker’s upcoming vehicle development timelines, plans for 2026, and profitability.
Tesla Executives Say Tariffs, Economic Jitters Could Have ‘Meaningful Impact’ on Demand: CEO Elon Musk says today’s environment is one of ‘bumps and potholes’ and that his team will revisit their 2025 forecasts in three months.
Servant Leadership: Motivate, Elevate, Recognize (and Avoid These Don'ts): Even with the best intentions, these missteps along the way can set you back.
Manufacturing Extension Partnerships Regain Funding, for Now: Trump administration has slashed funding to 10 state programs in April but will now renew appropriations through the end of the year.
Mack Trucks to Lay Off at Least 250 Manufacturing Workers: The company cites tariffs, reduced demand and market uncertainty as the main factors behind the layoffs.
Fix Manufacturing Extension Programs, Don't Defund Them (Op-Ed): Trump's cancellation and restoration of federal funds should be a wake-up call to the programs that assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
Alcoa CEO: Tariffs Not Spurring Plans to Restart Idled Plants: The aluminum producer’s leaders expect tariffs will cost the company $100 million this year.
Manufacturing Business Confidence Plummets in April: Several new surveys point to massive declines in capital spending plans and a growing sense of unease in the manufacturing community.
Tackling Industry 4.0 With Legacy Equipment: A Practical Approach: How do we bridge the gap between brownfield facilities and the promise of digital transformation?
