It's just business: Manufacturing moves from SME, PhysicsX, J.B. Poindexter, and more

It's just business: Manufacturing moves from SME, PhysicsX, J.B. Poindexter, and more

July 31, 2025
In this industry roundup, we explore a mix of company news, executive changes, and business highlights.

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. 

Awards: SME and Stratasys announced the winners of the 2025 Additive Manufacturing Competition, held during the 61st annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. The event featured 100 students from 39 states representing middle schools, high schools, and post-secondary institutions, who printed nearly 500 parts using Stratasys 3D printers. In a recent quote, Rob Luce, vice president of the SME Education Foundation, said, “This competition is an extraordinary example of how hands-on experiences can ignite a student’s passion for advanced manufacturing. Through our partnership with Stratasys at SkillsUSA, we are introducing students to cutting-edge tools and real-world challenges in manufacturing. We’re not just building technical skills—we’re empowering the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators who will shape the future of the industry. We are grateful to all our partners who help make this experience possible for students nationwide.” 
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Capital: PhysicsX, a London-based company developing AI-driven engineering software, has raised $135 million in Series B funding led by Atomico, with participation from Temasek, Siemens, and others, to support global expansion and adoption across key industrial sectors. Founded by experts in Formula 1 and AI, the company aims to transform engineering in critical industries like aerospace, automotive, semiconductors, and energy by accelerating innovation through AI-native tools. In a recent quote, Jacomo Corbo, CEO & Co-Founder of PhysicsX, said, “This round reflects the importance and the needs of the industries that we’re building into. The tectonic plates of the global economy are being reshaped by industrial manufacturing. Geopolitical currents and the questions of sovereignty and supply chain resilience are most strongly felt here. At the same time, innovation within these fields has never been more urgent. We’re building into that unmet need and bringing new software and AI capabilities to fundamentally overhaul what engineering looks like today and transform how hardware innovation is executed.” 
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Acquisition: J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO) has announced the acquisition of Demers Braun Crestline Medix (DBCM), one of North America’s largest ambulance manufacturers. DBCM, headquartered in Beloeil, Quebec, has delivered over 70,000 units to more than 40 countries and employs over 1,500 people across North America. In a recent quote, John Poindexter, CEO and Chairman of JBPCO, said, “Our acquisition of DBCM aligns with JBPCO’s long-term vision—building a platform of industry-leading companies with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. As JBPCO celebrates its 40th anniversary, and each of the DBCM brands celebrates decades of dedication in the emergency vehicle industry, we are proud to bring together more than 500 years of combined manufacturing excellence across our portfolio of companies. DBCM has built a solid foundation, and we look forward to investing in its future, supporting the team, enhancing the products, and unlocking new opportunities for growth.” 
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Acquisition: Hindalco Industries Limited, part of the Aditya Birla Group, is acquiring full ownership of U.S.-based AluChem Companies, Inc. for $125 million through its subsidiary, Aditya Holdings LLC. The move boosts Hindalco’s position in the specialty alumina market, expanding its capabilities in advanced materials used in industries like electric mobility, semiconductors, and precision ceramics. In a recent quote, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, said, “This acquisition is an important step in our global strategy to build a leadership position in value-added, high-tech materials. Our strategic foray into the specialty alumina space will not only accelerate the development of future-ready, sustainable solutions but also open new pathways to pursue high-impact growth opportunities. By integrating advanced technologies into our value chain, we are reinforcing our commitment to self-reliance, import substitution, and building scale in innovation-led businesses.” 
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Acquisition: North Course Brands, LLC has acquired the RxSugar brand and related assets from Nutrishus Brands Inc. This acquisition supports North Course’s mission to expand its portfolio of health-focused functional food products, leveraging RxSugar’s established reputation for Non-GMO, Keto-certified, and plant-based allulose-based sweeteners. In a recent quote, David Jiang, Chairman of the Board of Managers at North Course Brands, said, "We're thrilled to welcome RxSugar into the North Course family. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision to bring innovative, better-for-you products to market. RxSugar's commitment to reimagining sugar with allulose—a natural, healthy sugar—complements our growth strategy and strengthens our portfolio." 
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About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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