The North American Digital Briefing provides weekly updates on news, technological developments and business strategies affecting manufacturing across North America. The e-newsletter highlights emerging opportunities and industry challenges, helping professionals navigate technological change and shifting economic conditions.
The briefing is aimed at decision-makers in manufacturing, engineering and operations who need to monitor industry developments and assess their implications for business strategy. Its weekly coverage is intended to help readers follow market trends, evaluate emerging technologies and make informed operational decisions.
North American Digital Briefing: industrial insights
Published every Friday, The Manufacturer Digital Briefing – North America Edition provides updates on manufacturing news and developments across the region. The Manufacturer is published by Hennik Research, part of Nineteen Group, which has more than 30 years of experience covering the manufacturing sector. The Manufacturer publishes daily news, interviews and analysis, alongside weekly digital briefings and monthly learning and networking events.
This consistent output aims to help manufacturing executives and engineers understand fundamental changes within the industrial landscape. It also highlights opportunities for business growth. The briefing provides a curated overview of developments relevant to manufacturing decision-makers in North America.
Digital Transformation in Manufacturing and Technology Briefings
Advanced manufacturing technologies, including AI, robotics and connected industrial systems, are increasingly being adopted to improve productivity and support innovation across North America. The digital briefing frequently covers topics like industrial artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, IT/OT initiatives, and cybersecurity. These are crucial elements for developing smart factories and modern production processes.
Investments in these areas are substantial. In September 2026, International Paper led a $36 million funding round for Relay, a company developing communication and operational technology for frontline workers. Separately, North American companies ordered 10,989 industrial robots in the third quarter of 2026, a 24.8% increase year on year. Growth was particularly strong in semiconductor and electronics, life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and automotive components.
TechEx North America brings together technology leaders to discuss AI, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, data infrastructure and digital transformation. Its 2027 edition is scheduled for 16–17 June at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
Adopting AI and Automation
Manufacturers are exploring AI, automation and digital twins to improve production planning, identify quality issues and optimise manufacturing processes. Any example involving Airbus should identify the specific application and provide a source for the claimed benefits. This adoption of advanced modelling and simulation demonstrates a broader industry trend towards data-driven efficiency, crucial for maintaining competitiveness.
The Digital Transformation Expo North America is scheduled for 16–17 June 2027 in San Jose, California, where discussions will cover enterprise transformation, operating models, governance and AI adoption.
Addressing Workforce and Supply Chain Pressures
The North American manufacturing sector faces persistent challenges in workforce development and maintaining resilient supply chains. A 2024 study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute estimated that the US manufacturing sector could need to fill 3.8 million jobs between 2024 and 2033. The study projected that approximately 1.9 million of those positions could remain unfilled if employers cannot address workforce and skills shortages.
These workforce issues highlight the skills gap that digital briefings often address, focusing on solutions and training initiatives. Workforce initiatives across the US manufacturing sector aim to expand skills training and strengthen career pathways in areas such as automation, robotics, AI and data analytics. They are defining new careers in automation, robotics, AI, and data analytics.
Supply chain vulnerabilities are also a major concern, threatened by geopolitical tensions, climate disruption, and cyber risks. Only 5% of organisations have a comprehensive supply chain resilience strategy in place. Some manufacturers are reassessing their supply chains through reshoring, nearshoring and supplier diversification in response to geopolitical, logistical and operational risks.
The US has seen over 500 new investments, totaling more than $380 billion in manufacturing plants, creating over 160,000 direct new jobs. Examples of manufacturing investment in North America include Hitachi Energy’s announced investment in Ontario and Pfizer’s planned investment in Connecticut. The project values, locations, scope and status should be confirmed against the companies’ original announcements before publication.
These projects illustrate how manufacturers are investing in production capacity and modernising facilities across North America.
Policy Shifts Shaping Industrial Futures
Government policy plays an increasingly central role in shaping North America’s industrial landscape. US manufacturing policy has increasingly focused on strengthening domestic production, encouraging investment and improving industrial competitiveness. Legislation and executive actions have influenced investment decisions in areas such as semiconductors, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
The US Department of State regularly conducts Digital Press Briefings that provide insights into broader policy affecting global industries. For instance, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, discussed NATO’s security approach and increased defense spending by Allies on June 4, 2025. These briefings offer a window into the geopolitical context influencing industrial operations.
Emerging Technology and Data Governance
Technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence, has become a focus for policymakers. In May 2024, the US Senate AI Working Group released a policy roadmap addressing artificial intelligence, including research funding, legislation and other policy priorities. The article should cite the original roadmap when stating its recommended annual funding for non-defence AI research and development.
Data governance and protection are also paramount. On 28 February 2024, President Joe Biden issued Executive Order 14117, directing measures to restrict access by countries of concern to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and certain government-related data. The order covered categories including genomic, biometric, health, financial and precise geolocation data.
Beyond manufacturing-specific news, various other digital briefings contribute to the broader understanding of policy and technological shifts. The Reuters Institute Digital News Report: North America Edition webinar, for instance, analysed trends in journalism and trust among North American audiences in July 2023 and July 2026.
Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor, also led a digital press briefing in October 2023 on countering cyber threats in the Indo-Pacific region and the implications of AI.
The North American Digital Briefing provides manufacturing professionals with a weekly overview of industrial news, technological developments and business trends. Its focus on North American manufacturing gives readers a way to keep track of developments that may affect their operations and strategic decisions. This focused approach ensures professionals are equipped with the knowledge needed to drive innovation and maintain competitive advantage in a complex and evolving market.
By bringing together relevant industry developments, the briefing aims to help readers identify emerging trends, assess potential risks and make more informed business decisions.
