In the Headlines: Reports predict the future values of the smart manufacturing and automation hardware markets
The manufacturing industry is in a perpetual state of change. New technologies, policies, regulations, and company initiatives keep altering the role and perception of manufacturing in America. Every day, there’s a new plant, industry acquisition, research report, or law, and staying up to date on the latest information can prove difficult. Here’s what’s happening this week, in case you missed it.
Axium Packaging invests $80 million to build new manufacturing plant in Canada
Construction on the new plant is underway, and the facility is expected to be operational in 2024.
Report: Smart manufacturing market to be valued at $241 billion by 2028
The report claims that the main factor propelling the industry’s growth is the integration of advanced technologies.
DOE reports highlight growth in the wind power industry
According to three annual reports released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), wind power is one of the fastest-growing and lowest-cost sources of electricity in the U.S.
Rockwell Automation to acquire Clearpath Robotics, strengthening autonomous production logistics solutions
Clearpath specializes in autonomous robotics for industrial applications, and Rockwell hopes the acquisition will aid the company as it attempts to bring its vision of the Connected Enterprise to life.
Report: Automation hardware market to be valued at $64 billion by 2033
The current value of the market is $38.7 billion, which translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.
Food packaging manufacturer invests $50 million to build new facility in West Virginia
The company primarily focuses on producing sustainable and environmentally friendly food packaging solutions and is testing a new generation of food packaging material that is 100% home compostable.
Engine component manufacturer fined $298,250 by OSHA after worker suffers finger amputation
In a follow-up visit to the facility, the engine component manufacturer was cited for two repeat violations for failing to adjust bench grinders properly and for not posting 2022 OSHA injury and illness logs as required.
MicroLink Devices invests $9.5 million to expand Illinois facility
The project will help MicroLink increase its design and manufacturing operations of solar cells and solar sheets.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
