The Joy of Making Things: America’s Manufacturing Renaissance

Posted on Monday, July 6, 2026

|

by Kim Humphrey

|

0 Comments

|

Print

I still remember walking through the shipyard early in my career and looking up at a vessel that seemed to stretch endlessly. Thousands of people had contributed their skills, ideas, craftsmanship, and hard work to build something larger than any one person could accomplish alone.

There is a feeling that comes with that moment that is difficult to describe. Pride, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. And perhaps most importantly, the realization that your work matters.

As someone who spent years in shipbuilding and manufacturing leadership, I have experienced that feeling many times. Standing beside a submarine, an aircraft carrier, a piece of equipment, or a product that will serve others for decades creates a connection between people and purpose that is hard to find anywhere else.

There is something deeply human about making things. Whether it is building ships, assembling aircraft, producing life-saving medical devices, designing semiconductors, manufacturing automobiles, creating advanced technologies, or producing products families use every day, manufacturing allows people to leave their fingerprints on the world around them.

You can point to something tangible and say, “I helped build that.” Few careers offer that opportunity.

For too long, we heard stories about manufacturing disappearing from America. Today, the story is changing. That is one of the reasons I love this industry so much.

Manufacturing people are builders by nature. They see a problem and ask, “How can we make this better?” They look at a process and wonder, “Is there a better way?” They collaborate, innovate, improve, and keep moving forward. That mindset built America.

And it continues to build America today.

Across the country, factories are expanding. Supply chains are returning home. New technologies are creating opportunities that did not exist just a few years ago. Communities are rediscovering the economic strength and stability that manufacturing brings.

We are witnessing an American manufacturing renaissance. And this renaissance will not be driven by machines alone. It will be driven by people.

One of the greatest misconceptions about manufacturing is that it is only for certain people or certain stages of life. The reality is exactly the opposite.

Manufacturing offers opportunities for recent high school graduates entering the workforce for the first time. It offers meaningful careers for veterans transitioning into civilian life. It provides opportunities for experienced professionals seeking a second career or a new challenge. There is room for builders, creators, coders, designers, mechanics, problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

If you enjoy learning, improving, creating, fixing, or working with others to accomplish something meaningful, there is a place for you in manufacturing. There always has been.

And today’s manufacturing facilities are not the factories many people remember from decades ago. They are clean, highly technical, innovative environments where advanced technologies and human ingenuity work side by side. Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and digital technologies are transforming how we work, but they are not replacing the need for people. Operational excellence begins and ends with people. People make the difference.

As someone who spent years in shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing leadership, I have seen firsthand the pride that comes from standing beside something you helped create and knowing it will serve communities, strengthen our economy, support our national security, or improve lives for years to come.

That feeling never gets old. There is joy in making things. There is dignity in building something that matters. There is pride in manufacturing.

America’s manufacturing renaissance needs all of us. America’s manufacturing story is still being written, and the next chapter may very well belong to someone who has not yet discovered the incredible possibilities this profession offers. Because there has never been a better time to make things in America.

And there has never been a better time to be part of America’s manufacturing story.

Kim Humphrey is the President/CEO Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME.Org).

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.

Source link

Survey Shows U.S. Manufacturing Expansion at Slower Pace

Reports related to this article:

Written by Danny Levin, Deputy Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Economic activity in U.S. manufacturing expanded for the sixth straight month, according to the ISM’s latest PMI survey, but at a slightly slower pace than in May.

U.S. Manufacturing Activity Rolls On

The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index showed economic activity in U.S. manufacturing expanded for the sixth straight month in June, but at a slightly slower pace month-over-month. Respondents to the accompanying survey continue to express concern around the Iran war and U.S. trade policy, although price pressures lessened.

The PMI, which tracks 18 manufacturing sectors in the U.S., registered 53.3% in June, down from 54% in May–indicating slightly slower growth month-over-month. But that figure still is up from 52.7% in both April and March. Any reading over 50% indicates expansion in the manufacturing economy.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, there is $655 billion worth of projects under construction in the U.S. Industrial Manufacturing Industry; more than half of the investment is attributed to data centers and semiconductors. The Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database offers a full list of projects.

Any reading under 50% indicates contraction in the manufacturing economy.

Although “the ongoing war and price volatility” remain a worry, “the badness is better than last month,” Susan Spence, chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, said during a news media call on July 1.

Two of the four demand indicators–the New Orders and Backlog of Orders indexes–expanded in June, albeit at a slightly slower pace than in May. In terms of output, production also grew at a slower rate month-over-month, but the survey showed Supplier Deliveries (delivery times) are slowing–which is considered positive for future production.

In addition, the Employment and Inventories indexes improved, with the latter entering expansion territory.

Iran War’s Effect on Sentiment

“In June, 34% of the comments were positive and 66% negative, with a 1-to-1.9 ratio of positive to negative sentiment,” she said in the report summary of findings. “Among negative comments, the Iran war was mentioned in 31% and tariffs in 17%; 50% of the panelists mentioned pricing volatility as an issue for their companies.”

That is an improvement from May’s ratio of 1-to-2.7.

Although June’s Prices Index, an indicator of input and raw materials costs, continues to show elevated price pressures, the reading of 73% improved from May’s 82.1%.

The elevated index continues to be driven by increases in steel and aluminum prices impacting the entire value chain; tariffs applied to many imported goods; and increases in petroleum-based products as a result of the recent Middle East conflict.

“Prices are going in a really wonderful direction,” Spence said on the media call. Speaking to the survey comments, “it is all about pricing,” and she was “erring on the caution’s side” in forecasting the business environment for the second half of the year. But she also noted that “optimism is there and it’s creeping in.”

“The conflict in Iran has impacted pricing in every category of raw materials,” one respondent from Chemical Products said. “Especially, items that have a heavy concentration of oil in the components like our adhesives.”

Price instability is forcing a “more conservative approach to capital expenditures,” another respondent in the Computer & Electronic Products sector said.

The ISM considers semiconductors and data-center components to be part of the sector.

Data Center Construction, Semiconductors Drive Strong Manufacturing Capex

South Korea-based semiconductor company SK Hynix is building out its U.S. production capacity via a roughly $4 billion grassroot plant in West Lafayette, Indiana. The 430,000-square-foot packaging fabrication plant and research and development hub will support high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used for artificial intelligence. Production is expected to begin in 2028.

High-dollar data center projects include the estimated $650 million construction of Building 11 at Google’s Moncks Corner Data Center in South Carolina. The 275,000-square-foot addition is designed to help support services such as Google Cloud and Gmail. The project is expected to wrap up next year.

Readers can view the two project reports.

Key Takeaways

• The ISM’s PMI survey shows U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the sixth straight month in June but at a slightly slower pace compared with May.
• The Iran war is driving ongoing price pressures for manufacturers, although they indicated that is easing.
• Data centers and semiconductors buoy U.S. manufacturing-related construction underway, according to Industrial Info Resources data.

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR’s Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).

Source link

SEIA Highlights U.S. Solar Manufacturing Growth and Energy Infrastructure Expansion

Highlights

• U.S. solar and storage manufacturing capacity has expanded significantly since 2022.
• More than 140 domestic manufacturing facilities have opened, with dozens more under construction.
• Solar and battery storage projects are increasingly tied to military resilience and grid reliability initiatives.
• Agrivoltaic developments are creating additional revenue opportunities for rural landowners and agricultural operators.
• National solar installations surpassed 6 million during the first quarter of 2026.

Rising electricity demand, supply chain concerns, and domestic manufacturing priorities are continuing to shape investment decisions across the U.S. energy and construction sectors. The Solar Energy Industries Association recently outlined how solar generation and battery storage projects are contributing to infrastructure development, manufacturing expansion, and energy resilience initiatives nationwide.

The organization said domestic production capacity for solar components has increased rapidly over the last several years as developers, utilities, and manufacturers respond to growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure and federal incentives supporting U.S.-based production.

Domestic Manufacturing Expansion

According to SEIA, 146 solar and energy storage manufacturing facilities have opened in the United States since 2022, while another 36 facilities are currently under construction. Domestic solar module manufacturing capacity has reached approximately 70 gigawatts annually.

The organization said the U.S. solar supply chain can now support production across all major solar component categories, reflecting broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported materials and equipment.

For contractors, developers, and procurement teams, expanded domestic manufacturing capacity may help address supply chain volatility, material lead times, and sourcing requirements tied to federal infrastructure and energy programs.

The growth in manufacturing activity also continues to drive industrial construction demand tied to factory development, utility infrastructure upgrades, and logistics facilities supporting energy production.

Military and Rural Energy Projects

SEIA also pointed to increasing deployment of solar and storage systems at military facilities and rural properties.

Among the projects highlighted was a 13-megawatt solar installation being developed by Onyx Renewables to support U.S. Army housing operations. The project is expected to offset a substantial portion of on-base electricity demand. Duke Energy also completed a floating solar installation at Fort Bragg designed to improve energy resilience and reduce operating costs.

In rural markets, agrivoltaic projects are becoming more common as landowners seek additional revenue sources while maintaining agricultural operations. SEIA referenced a Tennessee project developed by Silicon Ranch that combines solar generation with cattle grazing operations on the same site.

Construction activity tied to agrivoltaics, utility-scale solar, and battery storage continues to create opportunities for civil contractors, electrical contractors, specialty trade firms, and site development teams across multiple regions.

Energy Infrastructure Demand Continues to Grow

SEIA reported that cumulative U.S. solar installations exceeded 6 million during the first quarter of 2026 as utilities, developers, and private owners continue investing in additional generation capacity.

The organization also noted that solar projects can often move through deployment timelines more quickly than conventional generation assets because they do not require fuel supply infrastructure.

What This Means For Construction Owners

For construction owners and developers, continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure is expected to sustain demand for transmission upgrades, energy storage facilities, utility interconnections, manufacturing plants, and associated site work.

The expansion of domestic solar manufacturing and generation capacity also reflects broader infrastructure investment trends tied to grid modernization, energy security, and industrial development across the United States.

Source: SEIA.

Source link

Nucor Corporation focuses on steel production and US manufacturing demand

Nucor Corporation (ISIN US6703461052) is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, operating a network of mini-mill facilities that manufacture a wide range of steel products for industrial customers across the country. The company supplies steel to construction, automotive, machinery, energy, and other manufacturing segments, and its performance is closely linked to broader US industrial activity and demand for steel-intensive projects.

Nucor Corporation is widely recognized as a key player in the US steel industry, reflecting decades of investment in mini-mill technology, recycling capabilities, and downstream value-added product lines. Its operations draw heavily on scrap steel, which is melted and processed into new products, allowing the company to participate directly in the circular economy of materials and to benefit from trends in metal recycling and resource efficiency.

Steel production and mini-mill model

Nucor Corporation’s core business revolves around mini-mill steel production facilities located in multiple US states, each designed to melt scrap steel and convert it into finished products. These mini-mills typically use electric arc furnaces to process scrap, offering flexibility in output and the ability to adjust production levels relatively quickly in response to customer demand and market pricing for steel.

Through this mini-mill model, Nucor Corporation produces a variety of steel forms, including beams, sheet, bar, and other shapes that are foundational materials for construction and manufacturing. The company has built an integrated network of facilities that can supply regional markets efficiently, helping to reduce transportation distances and deliver steel closer to end customers.

Nucor Corporation’s strategy has long emphasized cost efficiency and operational flexibility, allowing the company to manage through cycles of strong and weak steel demand. By focusing on mini-mills rather than traditional blast furnace operations, Nucor Corporation can adjust its production more rapidly and align its output with prevailing market conditions.

US industrial demand and customer base

The fortunes of Nucor Corporation are closely tied to US industrial demand, including construction projects, automotive manufacturing, infrastructure work, and machinery production. When activity in these sectors is robust, demand for steel products tends to be stronger, supporting higher volumes for Nucor Corporation and potentially better utilization of its mini-mill network.

The company serves a diversified customer base, selling steel to service centers, fabricators, manufacturers, and contractors across the United States. This diversification helps spread risk across multiple end markets, so that weakness in one segment can be partially offset by strength in another. For example, a slowdown in residential construction might be counterbalanced by stronger demand from non-residential projects or industrial facilities.

Nucor Corporation also benefits from its role as a supplier to infrastructure-related projects, which often require substantial volumes of steel for bridges, buildings, transportation systems, and energy facilities. As public and private entities invest in new construction and maintenance, Nucor Corporation’s steel products can be integral materials in these projects.

Go deeper

Learn more about Nucor Corporation and its steel business

Nucor Corporation is a major US steel producer using mini-mills and recycled scrap to supply construction and manufacturing customers across the country.

Product portfolio and downstream operations

Nucor Corporation operates a broad product portfolio that includes steel sheet, plate, bar, structural shapes, and various engineered steel products designed for specific applications. These offerings allow the company to supply materials for buildings, bridges, industrial equipment, vehicles, and other end uses that require durable and reliable steel.

In addition to basic steel products, Nucor Corporation has downstream operations that offer value-added processing and fabrication services. These can include cutting, bending, coating, and precision shaping of steel so that customers receive materials closer to their final specification, reducing the need for additional processing at the customer site.

The company has emphasized product quality, safety, and reliability in its operations, working to meet standards required by construction codes, automotive manufacturing requirements, and industrial specifications. Over time, Nucor Corporation has expanded its capabilities to cover more niche and specialized steel products, giving it access to segments with specific technical demands and often higher margins.

Steel recycling and sustainability approach

Nucor Corporation is known for its focus on steel recycling, using large volumes of scrap metal as the primary input to its electric arc furnaces. This approach helps limit the use of raw iron ore and traditional blast furnace operations, and aligns the company with broader environmental objectives relating to recycling and resource efficiency.

Steel recycling allows Nucor Corporation to participate directly in reducing waste and extending the life cycle of metal resources. Scrap is collected from a range of sources, including end-of-life vehicles, demolished structures, manufacturing offcuts, and other industrial processes, and then transformed into new steel products in Nucor Corporation’s mini-mills.

By emphasizing recycling, Nucor Corporation can reduce its reliance on certain raw materials and potentially lower energy consumption relative to some traditional steelmaking routes. The company communicates its sustainability efforts and recycling metrics in its regular reporting, reflecting growing interest from customers and investors in environmental performance and responsible resource use.

Representative product: structural steel beams

One representative product in Nucor Corporation’s portfolio is structural steel beams, which are widely used in commercial and industrial construction. These beams serve as key load-bearing elements in buildings, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and infrastructure projects such as bridges and large-scale facilities.

Structural steel beams produced by Nucor Corporation are designed to meet specific standards for strength, dimensional accuracy, and performance under load. The company supplies these beams in various sizes and profiles, such as wide-flange beams and other shapes, allowing builders and engineers to select the appropriate configuration for their projects.

Because steel beams are fundamental components of modern construction, demand for these products tends to track activity in commercial real estate, industrial development, and infrastructure investment. Nucor Corporation’s ability to manufacture and deliver beams efficiently can support customers working on tight schedules and complex project requirements.

Nucor Corporation stock and investor perspective

Nucor Corporation stock trades on a major US exchange in the form of common shares, reflecting the company’s position as a publicly listed industrial enterprise. The stock is part of the broader universe of US equities and is associated with the materials and industrial sectors, which respond to cycles in economic growth, manufacturing activity, and construction spending.

Investors often consider Nucor Corporation’s exposure to steel prices, demand for finished steel products, and the company’s ability to manage costs and maintain profitability through industry cycles. Over time, Nucor Corporation’s focus on mini-mill operations, recycling, and diversified end markets has contributed to its reputation as an important participant in the US steel sector.

Source link

Pirelli Plans Up to $1.2 Billion U.S. Investment, Expanding Focus on Rome Plant

Tire manufacturer Pirelli is planning to invest between $1 billion and $1.2 billion in its U.S. operations over the coming years, a move expected to further strengthen production at its Rome manufacturing facility.

The Italian company announced that its newly appointed board of directors had been informed of the multi-year investment plan, which will be presented for formal approval at an upcoming board meeting.

The investment is aimed at increasing Pirelli’s manufacturing capacity in the United States, including expanding production of its innovative Cyber Tyres.

In May, Pirelli announced that Cyber Tyres would be produced at its Rome, Georgia, plant, positioning the northwest Georgia facility at the forefront of the company’s next generation of tire technology.

Cyber Tyre technology integrates sensors embedded inside the tire with software capable of transmitting real-time data to vehicles. The system can monitor information such as tire pressure, temperature and road conditions, providing drivers and vehicle systems with enhanced safety and performance data.

The planned investment underscores the strategic importance of Pirelli’s U.S. manufacturing operations as demand grows for advanced tire technologies.

The announcement also comes amid significant changes to the company’s corporate governance.

Earlier this year, the Italian government stepped in to limit the influence of Pirelli’s largest shareholder, Chinese state-owned chemical company Sinochem, citing concerns that its ownership structure could affect the tire maker’s business opportunities in the United States.

Following those restrictions, shareholders approved a new board of directors last week that is controlled by Italian investor Camfin, the investment company led by longtime Pirelli executive Marco Tronchetti Provera.

Camfin owns a 26.2% stake in Pirelli, while Sinochem remains the company’s largest shareholder with a 34.1% stake. However, under the new board structure, Sinochem secured just three seats on the 15-member board.

On Tuesday, the board confirmed Andrea Casaluci as Pirelli’s chief executive officer and appointed Tronchetti Provera as executive chairman after he previously served as executive vice chairman.

For Rome, where Pirelli has operated one of its largest North American manufacturing facilities for decades, the investment signals continued confidence in the plant’s future. The company’s decision earlier this year to manufacture Cyber Tyres in Rome places the local facility at the center of Pirelli’s U.S. growth strategy and positions it to play a key role as the automotive industry increasingly adopts connected vehicle technologies.

Source link

Bikaji invests $2.9 million to expand US manufacturing footprint – Indian Television Dot Com

MUMBAI: Looks like Bikaji is adding a dash of local flavour to its global recipe. The packaged snacks maker is strengthening its American ambitions with a fresh capital infusion into its US subsidiary, betting on local manufacturing to serve the growing appetite for Indian snacks across North America.

Bikaji Foods International has invested an additional $2.9 million (around Rs 25 crore) in its wholly owned subsidiary, Bikaji Foods International USA Corp, as part of its strategy to deepen its presence in one of its fastest-growing overseas markets.

The company subscribed to 290,000 equity shares, taking the subsidiary’s paid-up capital to $4.05 million. The transaction does not alter Bikaji’s ownership structure, with the Indian parent continuing to hold 100 per cent of the US business.

The fresh capital will be used to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States, enabling Bikaji to produce locally instead of relying solely on exports. The company expects the move to strengthen its supply chain, improve customer access and accelerate business growth while meeting rising demand for Indian packaged snacks in the region.

Established in 2023, Bikaji Foods International USA Corp is engaged in the trading of packaged food products, including bhujia, namkeen, sweets and frozen foods. The subsidiary has recorded steady growth since its launch, with turnover rising from $1.1 million in FY24 to $1.77 million in FY25, before reaching $2.62 million in FY26.

The investment reflects a broader trend among Indian packaged food companies, which are expanding overseas to tap into the growing Indian diaspora as well as increasing mainstream demand for ethnic and ready-to-eat food products.

For Bikaji, which has been steadily scaling its international business alongside domestic growth, the US remains a strategically important market, with local manufacturing expected to provide a stronger platform for its next phase of expansion.

Source link

Rolls-Royce starts Raynesway site expansion to double submarine reactor manufacturing capacity for UK and Australian programmes

Rolls-Royce Submarines has officially broken ground and started foundational work on a new manufacturing facility at its Raynesway site in Derby. The work forms part of a wider plan to double the size of the entire site.

The expansion will help meet increased demand from the UK and Australian Royal Navies for current and future submarine programmes. More than 100,000m2 of new manufacturing and office facilities will be built, creating 1,170 skilled roles across disciplines including manufacturing and engineering.

The ceremonial event brought together Minister of State for Defence Lord Coaker, Rolls-Royce Submarines President Abi Clayton and Commodore Alistair Moody, Director for Nuclear Propulsion at the Submarine Delivery Group. They dug the first ground together, reflecting the partnership behind the expansion and the significance of the programme.

During the visit, Lord Coaker also met Rolls-Royce nuclear welding apprentices who recently secured first, second, third and fourth place in the SkillWeld 26 East Midlands heats. Rolls-Royce said it was the first time all top-three places had been won by the same company.

SkillWeld is a national competition designed to showcase and benchmark trainee and apprentice welders. The achievement follows welding apprentice Jack Billingham being selected to represent Great Britain at the WorldSkills event in Japan.

Rolls-Royce announced in June 2023 that it planned to double the size of its Submarines site. The Raynesway facility designs and builds the nuclear reactors that power all Royal Navy submarines and helps maintain the UK’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent.

Under the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, Rolls-Royce will also provide reactors for future Australian SSN-AUKUS attack submarines. The expansion is intended to unlock additional manufacturing capacity and support the pace of submarine build programmes.

Abi Clayton, President – Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “Breaking ground is a significant step forward in the critical growth of our business. This expansion will more than double the size of our manufacturing facility, strengthening our capability and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.”

“Together with our trusted delivery partners, our commitment is to deliver this programme safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. This work will unlock much-needed manufacturing capacity on site, allowing us to enhance our delivery drumbeat to support the boat build programmes.”

Defence Minister Lord Coaker said: “The expansion of the Rolls-Royce site is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Witnessing the manufacturing of the fifth SSSN-AUKUS reactor and the hundreds of apprentices in action was inspiring – seeing defence investment creating jobs, driving growth, and keeping the UK safe.”

Commodore Alistair Moody, Director for Nuclear Propulsion at the Submarine Delivery Group, said: “The ongoing expansion work at Raynesway demonstrates the shared commitment of the UK and Australian governments to meet the ambitious pace of our submarine build programmes. Together, we are building the foundations for delivery to defend our nations for decades to come.”

“The significant nuclear enterprise investment confirmed in the DIP reflects the UK’s unwavering commitment to maintaining and renewing our nuclear deterrent, a capability that has protected the UK and our allies for almost 60 years. Delivering this work is a National Endeavour and continues to drive growth, strengthen security and sustain tens-of-thousands of jobs across the UK.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,500 people. It designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every submarine in the Royal Navy’s fleet.

The company is supporting the Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through delivery of reactor plant and associated components. This work is delivered by the UK MOD’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise as part of a national endeavour to sustain the nuclear deterrent.

Rolls-Royce also provides frontline support worldwide for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby. It supports submarines at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and at the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane, with technical specialists also working in Glasgow, Cardiff and Thurso.

Source link

Which U.S. States Depend Most on Manufacturing?

America’s $31 Trillion Economy by State

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Key Takeaways

• California remains America’s largest state economy with $4.3 trillion in GDP, accounting for nearly 14% of national output.
• Only six states now generate more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity.
• Together, those six states produce nearly half of the entire U.S. economy.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, its economy has grown to nearly $31 trillion, making it the world’s largest by a wide margin.

Using the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), this visualization ranks every state by nominal GDP in 2025, showing how each contributes to national output.

California: The Economic Engine of America

If California were an independent country, it would have the world’s fourth-largest economy, behind only the U.S., China, and Germany, and ahead of all other nations. It is currently the world’s largest subnational economy.

This data table lists U.S. states by their 2025 nominal GDP.

RankStateNominal GDP in 2025 (billions $)Share of U.S. GDP (%)

1California4,25113.8

2Texas2,9049.4

3New York2,4688.0

4Florida1,8356.0

5Illinois1,2023.9

6Pennsylvania1,0563.4

7Ohio9673.1

8Georgia9253.0

9Washington8952.9

10North Carolina8942.9

11New Jersey8872.9

12Massachusetts8202.7

13Virginia7982.6

14Michigan7302.4

15Arizona5981.9

16Tennessee5901.9

17Colorado5841.9

18Maryland5681.8

19Indiana5451.8

20Minnesota5311.7

21Wisconsin4731.5

22Missouri4681.5

23South Carolina3791.2

24Connecticut3761.2

25Oregon3431.1

26Alabama3411.1

27Louisiana3401.1

28Utah3161.0

29Kentucky3071.0

30Nevada2810.9

31Iowa2770.9

32Oklahoma2740.9

33Kansas2410.8

34Arkansas1980.6

35Nebraska1980.6

36District of Columbia1930.6

37Mississippi1650.5

38New Mexico1530.5

39Idaho1360.4

40New Hampshire1260.4

41Hawaii1250.4

42Delaware1170.4

43West Virginia1090.4

44Maine1030.3

45Rhode Island840.3

46Montana820.3

47North Dakota820.3

48South Dakota810.3

49Alaska750.2

50Wyoming530.2

51Vermont480.2

-🇺🇸 U.S.30,762100.0

California is a powerful, diversified economy in which different sectors dominate different areas. Los Angeles, for example, is a major media hub, while San Francisco and the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley remain a global center for many of the world’s most valuable tech firms.

The Central Valley, meanwhile, serves as one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world, with high output in dairy products, wine, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

Beyond these well-known sectors, the Golden State is also a major player in energy, particularly solar power, as well as a key logistics hub owing to the massive ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

The Trillion-Dollar Club

Beyond California, five other states have a GDP exceeding a trillion dollars as of 2025: Texas ($2.9 trillion), New York ($2.5 trillion), Florida ($1.8 trillion), Illinois ($1.2 trillion), and Pennsylvania ($1.1 trillion).

Some of these state economies, like Illinois and New York, are highly concentrated in one major city, such as Chicago or New York City. Others, like Florida and Texas, are more diffuse. Four Texan cities, for example, number among the country’s 10 most populous as of 2025.

In line with its diversified economy, Texas is a major agricultural, defense, and energy player. The Lone Star State also has more Fortune 500 companies than any other state.

The Diversified U.S. Economy

While technology and entertainment drive California, Texas combines energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and defense.

Elsewhere, states specialize in industries ranging from finance and pharmaceuticals to tourism and farming. This geographic diversity helps make the U.S. economy more resilient, as slowdowns in one industry or region can be offset by strength in others.

The Great Plains, for example, are major producers of agricultural goods like soy and corn, as seen in the Iowan ($277 billion) and Nebraskan ($198 billion) economies. These states are particularly sensitive to droughts or trade disputes with major agricultural markets like China or Mexico.

Meanwhile, other states depend more on tourism, particularly in major cities. Nevada’s $281-billion economy, for example, is heavily concentrated in Las Vegas, making the state vulnerable to drops in tourist numbers.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Curious how each U.S. state ranks in terms of its business reputation? Check out Ranking the Best State Economies in 2024 on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Source link

Supreme Group establishes first U.S. manufacturing facility to strengthen nonwoven materials business

By K. Gopalakrishnan

$25.8 Million Investment in North Carolina to Drive Innovation, Application Development and Customer Collaboration

Supreme Group, one of India’s leading manufacturers of advanced nonwoven materials and engineered textile solutions, has announced a major strategic investment in the United States through its subsidiary, Supreme Nonwoven Inc. The company will invest approximately US$25.8 million to establish its first manufacturing facility in the U.S., marking a significant milestone in its global expansion journey.

Located in Lexington, North Carolina, the new facility will serve as an integrated hub for application engineering, product development, technical collaboration, and manufacturing, enabling the company to strengthen its presence in North America and work more closely with customers across a wide range of industrial and automotive applications.

Amit Kavrie, Managing Director, Supreme Group

The investment underscores Supreme Group’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market and reflects its strategy of bringing advanced material technologies closer to customers while enhancing responsiveness, innovation, and localized manufacturing capabilities.

Building a Stronger Presence in High-Performance Nonwovens

Over nearly four decades, Supreme Group has established a strong reputation in the development and manufacture of advanced nonwoven materials serving diverse sectors including automotive, apparel, filtration, and industrial applications. The company has built a broad technology platform that enables it to transform specialized materials into value-added solutions tailored to customer requirements.

The new manufacturing facility, spanning more than 200,000 square feet, will significantly enhance the company’s ability to collaborate with customers in North America on customized material solutions. By integrating product development, application engineering, and manufacturing under one roof, Supreme aims to accelerate innovation cycles and improve speed-to-market for new products.

According to the company, the facility will play a critical role in strengthening its ability to develop, test, and refine materials closer to their end-use environments.

“Our decision to establish this facility in North Carolina reflects a long-term commitment to serving the U.S. market with locally manufactured nonwoven materials,” said Amit Kavrie, Managing Director, Supreme Group. “We see this as an important step in bringing our material technologies and development capabilities closer to customers in the region while building a foundation for long-term growth.”

Focus on Application Development and Customer-Centric Innovation

A distinguishing feature of the investment is its emphasis on technical collaboration and application-focused innovation. Rather than serving solely as a production facility, the site is being designed as a center where customers and partners can work closely with Supreme’s technical teams to develop customized material solutions for evolving market requirements.

The company believes that proximity to customers will enable a deeper understanding of application challenges while supporting more efficient product trials, validation processes, and commercialization efforts.

In its announcement, Supreme noted that the facility will focus on enhancing performance, consistency, and application relevance across its product portfolio. The local presence is expected to improve alignment with customer requirements and ensure more consistent execution across projects.

“Over time, it will strengthen our ability to develop and trial materials closer to their end use, with a focus on performance, consistency and application relevance,” the company stated.

The investment also reflects Supreme’s intention to establish a stable and scalable manufacturing platform that can evolve in line with future market demand.

Supporting Automotive and Industrial Growth Opportunities

The new U.S. facility is expected to play a key role in serving high-growth sectors such as automotive and industrial manufacturing, where demand for advanced nonwoven materials continues to increase.

As automotive manufacturers seek lighter, more sustainable, and performance-driven material solutions, nonwovens are becoming increasingly important across interior applications, acoustic systems, filtration, insulation, and engineered components. Similarly, industrial markets continue to require specialized nonwoven solutions that combine durability, functionality, and cost efficiency.

By locating closer to major customer bases, Supreme aims to strengthen technical support, improve responsiveness, and create stronger partnerships with OEMs, Tier suppliers, and industrial manufacturers throughout North America.

“Lexington offers us a strong base from which to support customers with responsiveness, technical collaboration, and reliable execution,” said Manoj Swain, Director of International Operations, Supreme Group. “As we build this operation, our focus will be on creating the right competencies locally while also drawing on the broader capabilities of the Group to serve regional customer requirements over time.”

A Strategic Step in Global Expansion

The establishment of the company’s first U.S. manufacturing presence represents far more than a capacity expansion. It reflects Supreme Group’s broader vision of building a globally integrated nonwovens business supported by localized manufacturing, customer collaboration, and innovation-driven growth.

By combining its extensive materials expertise with a strong local presence, the company is positioning itself to serve the evolving needs of North American customers more effectively while strengthening its role in the global nonwovens industry.

As demand for advanced materials continues to grow across automotive, industrial, filtration, and technical textile applications, Supreme Group’s latest investment marks an important step in expanding its international footprint and reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-performance, customer-focused nonwoven solutions worldwide.

Source link

Caterpillar invests $5M in Texas manufacturing workforce

Caterpillar Inc. is investing $5 million to strengthen the talent pipeline for advanced manufacturing jobs in Texas, the company announced Thursday at its Seguin facility.

The move comes amid the Trump administration’s push to boost the U.S. manufacturing industry and is part of a broader $100 million pledge Caterpillar made last year to invest in the U.S. workforce.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday tours the Caterpillar facility in Seguin.

Kelsey Brown/San Antonio Express-News

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks Thursday at the Caterpillar facility in Seguin.

Kelsey Brown/San Antonio Express-News

The goal is to boost “future-ready, high-quality careers,” said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar’s chief human resources officer. “Over the last decade … we’ve tried to really emphasize manufacturing here in the United States,” she said. “We’re kind of rebuilding the educational pipelines and the training pipelines to grow a manufacturing workforce.” 

Article continues below this ad

A key part of Caterpillar’s initiative includes educating people about what advanced manufacturing jobs look like. Manufacturing has changed in the last 30 years, and the job often entails working with automation and innovative technology, she said.

READ MORE: Meta launching construction training program with $115M investment

“Not a lot of people are inside the four walls of a plant, so they don’t always know it’s super modern, really interesting jobs,” she said. “We need more young people to aspire to jobs in manufacturing.” 

Article continues below this ad

While the money will be invested in spurring interest in manufacturing jobs and linking Caterpillar with education systems and training institutions across the state, there are no specific guidelines for how that $5 million will be allocated — but that is intentional. 

Rather than coming in with boxes to check and a clear end point, Pambianchi explained that Caterpillar is looking to partner with local educational and training institutions, economic development organizations and companies to identify the gaps that need to be filled. 

“We’re going to work locally, bottoms up, to say ‘What would have the highest impact here? ’” Pambianchi said. “Of course, we want to benefit from that, but also the whole community is going to benefit.” 

Gov. Greg Abbott, who toured the Seguin facility before the announcement was made, has been leading the state’s efforts to strengthen its workforce pipeline and train workers to use new technology in manufacturing as part of the Texas Task Force on Modernizing Manufacturing.

Article continues below this ad

RELATED: Ready to Work continues to change lives in San Antonio community

“Bottom line, our economy is going incredibly well,” Abbott said. “Caterpillar is a tremendous asset to the Texas economy. A reason why companies like Caterpillar and so many others are moving here is because Texas is well known for having high-skilled job training programs, like what we’re talking about here today, that provide, literally, the best workforce in the United States.”

He also said Caterpillar made the “right decision” to move to Texas. The company announced in 2022 that it was moving its global headquarters from Deerfield, Ill., to Irving.

Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen said Caterpillar’s investment could provide a path out of poverty for the city’s residents. The city has a poverty rate of 17.1%, higher than the state average of 13.4%, according to census data.

Article continues below this ad

It’s a “big deal” for there to be high-skilled manufacturing positions that offer annual salaries of upward of $100,000, but what’s even more important, she said, is that the investment would create access to education and economic success. 

“Rather than just the true college track — people have choice,” she said. “It’s about choice.”

While there’s an emphasis on recruiting young workers, Mike Reeser, chancellor and CEO of Texas State Technical College, a partner in the investment, said Caterpillar’s investment will provide clear pathways for people at different stages to lock in a secure manufacturing job. 

READ MORE: These San Antonio jobs have the most AI exposure. How does your profession stack up?

Article continues below this ad

For people who are underemployed and looking for expanded job opportunities, he said a credential from a technical college is a great alternative to a master’s degree. 

“You take the communication skills and the critical thinking and the capabilities taught by a bachelor’s degree, and then you add a technical certification on top of it, and you become irresistible to employers,” Reeser said. “You’ve set a career arc that is sure to grow rapidly.” 

Pambianchi said the investment could grow in Texas. The goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of talent to fuel its manufacturing facilities in Texas cities such as San Antonio, Schertz and Seguin. 

“It’s not just a job. It’s a pathway and an entry to a career — a career that could be very robust,” Pambianchi said. “It could take you in a lot of directions.” 

Article continues below this ad

Caterpillar isn’t the only company investing in training programs.

In June, Meta Platforms Inc. launched a $115 million nationwide program to train construction workers, fiber technicians, welders, plumbers, electricians and skilled trades workers. The five-week, fully funded training program aims to address the labor shortage across the state and nation. 

Source link