It's just business: Manufacturing moves from Hyundai, Integrated Power Services, RectorSeal, 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. 

Acquisition: Integrated Power Services (IPS) has acquired Power Systems Testing Company (PST), a California-based provider of field service power systems, expanding IPS's capabilities on the West Coast. PST, established in 1975, brings five decades of experience in electrical equipment evaluation, engineering, and NETA-compliant field services to IPS’s portfolio. In a recent quote, Shannon Moses, Senior VP & General Manager, IPS Power Management Division, said, “This acquisition will add more NETA technical expertise to the IPS portfolio of product and service solutions on the West Coast,” says Shannon Moses, Senior VP & General Manager, IPS Power Management Division. “PST is a leading field service power systems company in California and will be complementary to our IPS field service operations in Carson.” 
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Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a new funding opportunity under its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative aimed at revitalizing the U.S. industrial base and supporting small manufacturers. Through the Manufacturing in America Grant Initiative, up to $1.1 million will be awarded to three eligible applicants to provide training and technical assistance to small businesses participating in the SBA’s Empower to Grow (E2G) Program. In a recent quote, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said, “With this new grant, the agency will accelerate the return of American supply chains, production power, and economic independence. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are rebuilding the backbone of American industry – and with it, the jobs and communities that are at the heart of our nation.” 
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Acquisition: RectorSeal, a manufacturer of HVAC/R and plumbing tools and accessories, has announced the acquisition of Aspen Manufacturing, LLC, a Texas-based producer of evaporator coils and air handlers. Aspen, founded in 1975, manufactures products under the brands Aspen, Aspen Pro, and AirMark, and also serves leading HVAC OEMs as a contract manufacturer. In a recent quote, Jeff Underwood, President of RectorSeal, said, “This acquisition continues expanding our footprint of HVAC products. With Aspen’s industry-leading selection of third-party coils and air handlers, we can better support our distributors and contractors and strengthen our market leadership in a new product category. Additionally, I have known Jason Ludeke and the team at Aspen for over a decade, and I am excited to work with them on a daily basis." 
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Capital: 3D Spark, a B2B manufacturing and procurement SaaS startup, has raised €2 million in a seed funding round led by Triplefair, with continued support from existing investors Fraunhofer Technologie-Transfer Fonds (FTTF) and Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg (IFH). The company’s AI-powered platform streamlines complex manufacturing decisions by offering manufacturability analysis, accurate costing, smart quoting, and CO₂ reporting across over 15 technologies and multiple material types. In a recent quote, Fritz Lange, Co-founder & CEO of 3D Spark, said, "This funding marks a significant milestone for 3D Spark. With the combined expertise and support of our investors, we're better positioned than ever to achieve our vision of simplifying and revolutionizing industrial component manufacturing and procurement. We're particularly focused on expanding our technology coverage and enhancing our platform capabilities to address the full spectrum of manufacturing decision challenges." 
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Personnel: Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) announced that President and CEO Chris Susock has been appointed Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) of Hyundai Motor North America, a new role overseeing both U.S. manufacturing facilities. Mark Rader, formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to President and CEO of HMMA, where he will lead manufacturing, engineering, and maintenance operations. In a recent quote, Chris Susock said, “While I will miss my daily work leading HMMA, I am completely confident that Mark will lead the team to new successes. I look forward to supporting him in my new role as CMO at HMNA.” 
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