Eleco Asset Management Warns of Growing “Knowledge Drain” in Industrial Maintenance | Manufacturing Dive
Eleco Asset Management has released a new viewpoint article warning that the industrial maintenance sector is facing an increasingly serious 'knowledge drain' problem. The article notes that after senior maintenance personnel leave, companies often do not experience immediate failures but rather a gradual decline in efficiency and consistency. Managing Director Donal Bourke recommends systematizing personal experience through CMMS systems such as Pemac, and emphasizes that beyond technology, cultural change and leadership support are also needed.
Eleco Asset Management Warns of Growing “Knowledge Drain” in Industrial Maintenance | Manufacturing Dive
Eleco Asset Management has released a new viewpoint article warning that the industrial maintenance sector is facing an increasingly serious 'knowledge drain' problem. The article notes that after senior maintenance personnel leave, companies often do not experience immediate failures but rather a gradual decline in efficiency and consistency. Managing Director Donal Bourke recommends systematizing personal experience through CMMS systems such as Pemac, and emphasizes that beyond technology, cultural change and leadership support are also needed.
US manufacturing adds 16,000 jobs in August
Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on September 4 showed that manufacturing added 16,000 jobs in August, raising total industry employment to nearly 12.64 million. The ISM employment index fell 1.6 percentage points from July to 51.2%, but overall manufacturing economic activity expanded for the eighth consecutive month to 54.6%.
More OEMs plan reshoring investments despite tariff, cost uncertainty
According to the 2026 Reshoring Survey report by Reshoring Initiative and Regions Recruiting, 36% of OEM respondents this year said they have reshored or are actively reshoring, up from 29% last year. Despite tariff uncertainty worrying most companies, 63% of OEMs still plan to invest capital in reshoring or domestic expansion.
DOJ asks judge to dismiss Oklahoma AG’s aluminum smelter lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice filed documents last week requesting that a federal judge dismiss a lawsuit by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond that seeks to block construction of a $4 billion primary aluminum smelter in Inola by Emirates Global Aluminum and Century Aluminum. The Justice Department supports the project, stating it contributes to national security and reduces reliance on aluminum imports from China. As of Thursday morning, the judge had not yet ruled. A separate lawsuit filed by a group of local residents also seeks to block the project, alleging that the Department of Energy approved up to $500 million in federal funding without adequate environmental review.
GE Appliances investing $1B to shift production from Mexico to Kentucky
GE Appliances announced it will invest $1 billion in Louisville, Kentucky, to expand its laundry product production lines and transfer some production capacity from Mexico to the United States. This move is part of its $3 billion U.S. manufacturing investment pledged last year.
Augury Report: Industrial AI Reaches a Tipping Point | Manufacturing Dive
Augury released its fourth annual Production Health Report, revealing that industrial AI has moved beyond the experimental stage and entered a phase of large-scale execution. Based on a survey of 500 manufacturing leaders, the report shows a significant increase in AI adoption, but data quality, labor shortages, and unplanned downtime remain major obstacles.
RFgen Expands Secure Label Product Line with New Standalone Labeling Solution | Manufacturing Dive
On June 15, 2026, RFgen Software announced the launch of the Secure Label standalone labeling solution, based on the native Secure Label capabilities within its supply chain platform, now available for purchase separately. The new solution aims to help organizations streamline label design, management, and printing processes, avoiding the hidden fees and licensing complexities common in traditional labeling platforms. RFgen President Rob Brice stated that the product leverages the company's over 40 years of supply chain experience, creating new opportunities for partners. The standalone Secure Label is now immediately available through RFgen and its partner network.
PepsiCo Fleet Executive Joins YMX Logistics | Manufacturing Dive
YMX Logistics announced that Adam Buttgenbach, previously PepsiCo's Global Procurement Director for Fleet Transformation, has been appointed Vice President of Fleet Strategy & Loss Prevention. With more than 20 years in fleet leadership and oversight of over 110,000 assets, Buttgenbach will drive the company's fleet strategy and loss prevention initiatives as YMX expands nationwide.