It's just business: Manufacturing moves from Google Cloud, Airbus, NEMA, and more

As manufacturers strive to optimize and improve profitability, they often use various business strategies to stay competitive. These actions include mergers, acquisitions, promotions, layoffs, funding, and much more. Below are just a few of the companies that are making moves and making headlines in the industrial sector. 

Capital: Forge Nano, Inc. has secured $40 million in new funding to advance its work in domestic battery and semiconductor technologies, bringing its total capital investment to over $140 million. The round was co-led by RockCreek and Ascent Funds, with additional support from Top Material, Orion Infrastructure Capital, and existing investors. In a recent quote, Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano, said, “RockCreek’s commitment to American manufacturing, energy security and global technology leadership makes them an ideal partner as we continue to scale. This capital allows us to build on our momentum in two crucial industries needed for U.S. manufacturing leadership – lithium-ion batteries and semiconductors. We look forward to expanding our domestic workforce as we scale our production capabilities and grow our customer base.” 
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Partnership: GFT and Google Cloud are expanding their collaboration to deliver advanced, manufacturing-specific AI solutions powered by Google’s Gemini Models, building on their previous integration of the Manufacturing Data Engine. The new applications include tools for root cause analysis, natural language data querying, parts obsolescence prediction, and transforming technical manuals into avatar-led video instructions—designed to address manufacturers’ need to cut costs and boost efficiency. In a recent quote, Brandon Speweik, Head of Industry Strategy at GFT, said, “Manufacturing is one of many industries that is ripe for AI transformation, but many enterprises struggle to apply their deep subject matter expertise to the general frameworks available to build on. GFT is in a unique position in that it has years of experience digitally transforming manufacturers and also speaks the language of AI. Our continued work with Google Cloud has the potential to reimagine every aspect of factory floors, resulting in up-skilled workers, increased efficiency and output, and a completely optimized way of operating. For GFT, our manufacturing success is validation for where we’re going: creating vertical-specific AI solutions for manufacturers, financial institutions, insurers and beyond.” 
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Acquisition: Airbus SE has signed a definitive agreement with Spirit AeroSystems to acquire several of its industrial assets related to Airbus’s commercial aircraft programs. The acquisition includes sites and production operations in Kinston, North Carolina; St. Nazaire, France; Casablanca, Morocco; Wichita, Kansas; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Prestwick, Scotland. These facilities support the production of key components for the A220, A321, A320, and A350 aircraft. As part of the deal, Airbus will receive a payment of $439 million from Spirit AeroSystems, subject to certain closing adjustments. 
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Certification: The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has launched the Make It American certification program to help identify products and facilities that meet Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) domestic content requirements. This certification involves rigorous third-party audits of supply chain management systems and is currently available for low-voltage power distribution equipment and wire and cable, with additional specifications to follow. In a recent quote, Debra Phillips, President and CEO, NEMA, said, "The U.S. electroindustry is the backbone of our nation's energy system, investing over $185 billion in domestic electrical component manufacturing since 2018. NEMA's Make It American Program allows our nation's manufacturers to showcase their commitment to U.S. manufacturing, creating even more jobs, and strengthening the American manufacturing sector." 
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Restructuring: Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America (MRCA) has launched a new business unit aimed at strengthening its capabilities in producing consumer goods domestically. This initiative follows the acquisition of three direct-to-consumer and e-commerce brands, with leadership of the new unit assigned to Elton Rivas, co-founder of Semi Exact. In a recent quote, Jason Azevedo, Chief Strategy Officer, said, “Our mission at MRCA is to preserve US-based manufacturing. We’ve purchased five legacy American manufacturers and we’re still growing. Historically, our facilities’ customers were business-to-business clients. Meaning we made parts for our clients’ end-product. Several consumer brands approached us recently to take over manufacturing – to near-shore from a foreign supplier or to reduce production and shipping times. These opportunities add volume and revenue to our current manufacturing firms.” 
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