The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest disruption to the manufacturing in modern history, causing even the largest global manufacturers to stop production. The pandemic forced factories to minimize or stop production for the safety of the employees and often at the demand of local and federal governments.
BATTLE CREEK, MI—A worker at DENSO’s auto parts assembly plant here died last week from COVID-19. An additional 17 other employees across the company’s five Michigan factories have tested positive.
SPRING HILL, TN — General Motors said it will lay off 680 workers at its Tennessee assembly plant and eliminate the facility's third shift are due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ready or not, those of us in manufacturing are (mostly) all back to work, coronavirus or not. It’s tough to make things via Zoom. While many office workers will be working from home for the foreseeable future, manufacturing personnel are back in the trenches. So, let’s talk about how to ensure that going to work doesn’t turn into a stop on the way to intensive care.
NEW YORK — A recent Thomas survey reporting on COVID-19's impact on the U.S. manufacturing and industrial sectors reveals that 64 percent of manufacturers report they are likely to bring manufacturing production and sourcing back to North America. Additionally, the survey finds that one in four U.S. manufacturers are considering expanding industrial automation.
For the past few months, countless manufacturers worldwide have retooled to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of their stories.
Deglobalization was already happening before the coronavirus brought the world to a grinding halt. Global supply chains that were once so appealing were becoming less attractive due to geopolitical turmoil, shifting priorities, rising costs, trade wars and environmental concerns.
SAINT JOSEPH, MI—A pair of systems integrators in southwestern Michigan have come together to make sure local first responders have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need.