America’s Manufacturing Future Starts With Industrial Hemp | Opinion

America is making a costly mistake by treating industrial hemp as just another crop. It is an industrial material that can strengthen manufacturing, create jobs, reduce dependence on imported raw materials, and help build more resilient supply chains. If we keep limiting hemp to an agricultural debate, we will hand another major manufacturing opportunity to other countries. If we build the industries that process and manufacture hemp-based products here at home, America wins.

Congress already has an opportunity to move in that direction. The bipartisan Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act introduced by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) proposes tax incentives to expand domestic production of plant-based materials and chemicals. It recognizes a simple fact: growing raw materials is not enough. Countries create lasting economic strength by turning those materials into finished products, advanced technologies, and manufacturing industries.

I have spent my career helping organizations build businesses around emerging technologies. One lesson has remained true across every industry: breakthroughs do not create economic leadership by themselves. Infrastructure does. Manufacturing does. Investment does. Entire industrial ecosystems, not individual products, are what create long-term prosperity.

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History makes that clear. Steel transformed America because we built mills, transportation networks, engineering expertise, and factories around it. Silicon changed the world because we invested in manufacturing, research, and technology that turned a raw material into an entire economy. Industrial hemp deserves the same approach. The crop is only the beginning. The real opportunity is everything built after the harvest.

Hemp already has practical uses in construction materials, advanced composites, textiles, packaging, paper alternatives, and other manufactured products that can reduce dependence on petroleum-based materials. Research published in the journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials in October 2025 documents its expanding role across industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to construction and biofuels. None of those markets grow without processing facilities, engineers, manufacturers, logistics, and investment. The value is created in the factory, not the field.

That is why this debate matters to every American, not only farmers. Manufacturing supports communities, creates skilled jobs, strengthens national resilience, and gives businesses more reliable access to critical materials. Recent supply chain disruptions exposed how vulnerable the United States becomes when too much production depends on foreign suppliers. Building domestic capacity is no longer optional. It is an economic and strategic necessity.

The alternative is clear. If America fails to invest, other countries will build the processing plants, develop the technologies, secure the patents, and capture the high-value manufacturing jobs. American farmers will continue selling raw materials while others profit from turning them into finished products. We have watched this story play out before in industry after industry. There is no reason to repeat it.

The better path is just as clear. Build processing facilities. Expand manufacturing capacity. Invest in engineering, research, and workforce development. Encourage entrepreneurs to create companies that solve real industrial problems. Support manufacturers willing to replace imported materials with products made in America. Those investments would strengthen rural economies while creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, manufacturers, and businesses across the country.

Industrial hemp should not be viewed as an environmental trend or a niche agricultural product. It should be treated as a strategic manufacturing resource. Countries that control advanced materials will shape the next generation of industrial production. America has the land, the talent, and the market demand to compete. What has been missing is the commitment to build the industrial foundation that allows the sector to grow.

The choice is straightforward. We can continue exporting opportunities while importing products made somewhere else, or we can build the factories, technologies, and supply chains that keep innovation and manufacturing in the United States.

Congress should pass policies that accelerate domestic biomanufacturing. Investors should back companies building the industrial infrastructure. Manufacturers should integrate hemp into their long-term material strategies. Entrepreneurs should build the businesses that turn this resource into products people use every day. America has everything it needs to lead. The only question is whether we will choose to build.

David M. Klein is the managing member of DMKlein & Associates, where he advises emerging growth companies on strategy, operations, branding, and commercialization. Klein has worked with companies, investors, and leadership teams navigating expansion, restructuring, and market transformation.

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.

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US announces billions in mining investments to strengthen manufacturing supply chains

The US administration has announced more than $2 billion in mining and mining-related investments, alongside more than $180 million in mining education and workforce initiatives, as it seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing supply chains for critical materials.

In a media release, the White House said the investments were announced by President Donald Trump during a roundtable with representatives from the US mining industry on 7 August, with funding directed towards projects spanning bauxite, rare earth-free magnets, battery materials, scandium, graphite, tantalum and niobium.

According to the White House, the Department of War will invest more than $85 million in Standard Bauxite to secure supplies of refractory-grade bauxite, which is used to produce high-temperature-resistant materials for critical components and industrial applications.

A further $150 million will be invested in Minnesota-based Niron Magnetics, which is developing and producing permanent magnets without rare earth materials. 

The White House said the investment is intended to support the US defence industrial base and reduce reliance on foreign-produced rare earth magnets.

California-based Sila Nanotechnologies is set to receive $1.4 billion from the Department of War to expand production of silicon-carbon battery anodes and develop a lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility. 

The White House said the facilities are intended to strengthen supply chains supporting satellite operations, unmanned aerial systems and munitions.

The administration also announced a $400 million investment in Sunrise Energy Metals to develop what the White House described as a full scandium value chain, including a primary scandium mine. Scandium is used in high-heat aluminium alloys for applications including aerospace.

Additional investments include $8 million from the Export-Import Bank for 5E Advanced Materials to develop a boron deposit in California, $25 million for Westwater Resources to develop the Coosa Graphite Deposit in Alabama, and $25 million for Global Advanced Materials in Pennsylvania to develop tantalum and niobium resources.

The White House said boron, graphite, tantalum and niobium are used across industries including battery manufacturing, electronics, permanent magnets, semiconductors and steel production.

The US Development Finance Corporation will also match a $4.8 million investment in Harena Rare Earths to develop a rare earth mine in Madagascar. The White House said the project is intended to secure inputs for US manufacturing, including magnet metals and rare earths.

Alongside project funding, the administration announced more than $180 million for mining education and workforce development. The Department of Energy will invest $100 million across 14 US mining schools, with the stated aim of increasing the number of graduates with mining, minerals and related supply chain credentials.

The Department of War will provide more than $80 million to three schools for workforce development programs and technology innovation hubs focused on training geologists, metallurgists and mining engineers.

The White House said strengthening the workforce was necessary to support efforts to rebuild the country’s critical mineral supply chain, which it said had contracted over several decades while demand for critical minerals increased.

The administration has framed the investments as part of a broader effort to reduce US reliance on foreign sources of critical materials and strengthen domestic industrial and defence supply chains.

“Critical materials build and power the modern world from cars to military weaponry and factory machinery to smartphones and computers,” the White House said, adding that secure domestic capabilities across mining, processing, refining, manufacturing and recycling were important to reducing reliance on foreign countries.

The administration also pointed to measures introduced since Trump returned to office in January 2025, including executive orders covering domestic mineral production, offshore critical minerals, processed critical minerals and defence supply chains.

According to the White House, the administration has signed or approved 160 minerals deals worth almost $40 billion since January 2025. 

It also said the administration had used Section 232 measures covering industries including steel, aluminium, copper, trucks, automobiles, timber, semiconductors, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals.

The White House said these measures are intended to support domestic producers, strengthen US industrial capacity and improve national and economic security.

The latest announcement comes as the administration continues to link mining and critical mineral production with the broader goal of expanding domestic manufacturing capacity. The White House said the investments would help address supply chain vulnerabilities and support industries dependent on secure supplies of critical materials.

The figures and descriptions of the investments, as well as the administration’s assessment of their expected impact on US manufacturing and supply chains, were provided by the White House.

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The Fall of the US Manufacturing Crown

Share of Global Manufacturing Output Across Major Industrial Powers (1980–2026)

In 1980, the United States was the world’s undisputed manufacturing superpower. Accounting for 28.6% of global industrial value added, American factories produced nearly three in every ten manufactured goods on Earth. China, by contrast, accounted for a mere 2.4%. Over the subsequent 40 years, one of the most dramatic economic realignments in history unfolded: Following China’s 2001 WTO accession, capital and global value chains migrated en masse to East Asia. In 2010, China officially passed the United States to become the world’s #1 manufacturing country, ending over a century of American industrial leadership. By 2026, China’s share of world manufacturing output reached 31.6%—double the U.S. share of 15.8%. Today, China manufactures more goods annually than the United States, Japan, and Germany combined. KEY METRICS & HIGHLIGHTS: • 1980 US Share: 28.6% (Undisputed World #1 industrial leader) • 2010 Crossover Point: China surpasses US (19.8% vs 17.2%) • Current China Share (2026): 31.6% (Produces 2x more manufacturing output than US) • US Share Retraction (1980–2026): -12.8 Percentage Points (Halved global share)

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US manufacturing productivity rises 1.9% in Q2 2026

US manufacturing sector labour productivity increased 1.9 per cent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, as output rose 4.6 per cent and hours worked increased 2.6 per cent, preliminary data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed.

US manufacturing labour productivity increased 1.9 per cent in Q2 2026, as output rose 4.6 per cent and hours worked increased 2.6 per cent, according to BLS data.
Durable manufacturing productivity gained 2.7 per cent, while nondurable manufacturing rose 2 per cent.
Manufacturing unit labour costs were unchanged quarter on quarter but increased 3.5 per cent YoY.

In the broader nonfarm business sector, labour productivity increased 1.4 per cent in Q2, with output up 1.7 per cent and hours worked up 0.3 per cent. From the same quarter a year earlier, nonfarm business sector labour productivity increased 2.2 per cent.

Unit labour costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 1.3 per cent in Q2, reflecting a 2.7 per cent rise in hourly compensation and a 1.4 per cent gain in productivity. Over the last four quarters, nonfarm business unit labour costs increased 1.4 per cent, BLS said in a press release.

Real hourly compensation, which accounts for consumer prices, decreased 3.1 per cent in Q2 and fell 0.1 per cent over the last four quarters.

Within manufacturing, durable manufacturing productivity increased 2.7 per cent in Q2, as output grew 7.3 per cent and hours worked rose 4.5 per cent. Nondurable manufacturing productivity increased 2.0 per cent, with output up 1.5 per cent and hours worked down 0.5 per cent.

Total manufacturing productivity increased 0.9 per cent from the same quarter a year earlier. Durable goods manufacturing productivity rose 2.2 per cent over the last four quarters, while productivity in nondurable goods industries declined 0.3 per cent.

Unit labour costs in total manufacturing were unchanged in Q2, as a 1.9 per cent increase in hourly compensation was offset by a 1.9 per cent increase in productivity. Manufacturing unit labour costs increased 3.5 per cent from the same quarter a year earlier.

Manufacturing sector labour productivity has grown at an annualised rate of 0.5 per cent during the current business cycle, from Q4 2019 through Q2 2026. This was above the 0.1 per cent rate recorded in the previous business cycle but below the long-term rate of 2.1 per cent since Q1 1987.

Meanwhile, nonfarm business labour productivity has grown at an annualised rate of 2.1 per cent during the current business cycle, matching its long-term rate since Q1 1947.

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3 U.S. Manufacturing Stocks Investors Are Watching After New China Forced Labor Tariffs

Fresh US tariffs tied to alleged forced labor in China are reshaping global supply chains and putting a spotlight on companies that make more at home. This creates potential openings and risks as money shifts toward U.S. based manufacturing strength. This article walks through three U.S. domestic manufacturing screener stocks that are closely exposed to this news and explains what the headlines could mean for your watchlist today.

The three stocks in focus below are just a starting sample, and the full U.S. domestic manufacturing screen surfaced 44 more companies with equally compelling onshoring and reshoring narratives that are not covered in this article. If you want to identify and analyze potential high conviction ideas at your own pace, head straight into the U.S. Domestic Manufacturing (Onshoring/Reshoring) screener.

Atkore is a US based manufacturer of electrical conduit, cable management and safety products that sit inside the walls, ceilings and perimeters of factories, data centers and other critical infrastructure. The Electrical segment is the core of the business, generating about US$2.1b of revenue, while Safety & Infrastructure adds around US$836 million. Atkore has a market cap of roughly US$3.2b.

Atkore sits at the center of the onshoring story because many of its conduits, cable trays and support systems are made domestically and are essential for new and expanded US plants. The latest US tariffs on Chinese suppliers reduce import competition and align with management commentary that tariffs on steel, PVC and copper products tend to be a tailwind for the company. However, higher input costs and price pressure on PVC conduit remain real risks. When you add in the planned all cash acquisition by Prysmian at US$95 per share, ongoing tariff policy changes and a history of earnings volatility, you have a business that could benefit from supply chain shifts but still asks investors to think carefully about pricing power, project timing and how much of the U.S. manufacturing uptrend is already reflected in expectations.

Atkore’s tariff tailwinds and onshoring exposure could be masking a very different risk reward picture under the surface. Before the Prysmian deal closes, read the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

ATKR Discounted Cash Flow as at Aug 2026

Build your own onshoring shortlist around Atkore

Atkore and the two other stocks in this article all came from a single screener, but the real value comes from setting your own filters. Use our flexible Screener to mix metrics like valuation, growth and balance sheet strength, or lean on our curated Investing Ideas if you prefer ready made shortlists.

Comfort Systems USA is a Houston based contractor that designs, installs and maintains heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings across the United States. The company generates the bulk of its revenue from Mechanical Services at about US$8.0b, with Electrical Services contributing roughly US$3.2b. Comfort Systems USA has a market cap of around US$60.2b.

Comfort Systems USA sits in the slipstream of reshoring and AI infrastructure spending, wiring and plumbing the data centers, fabs and hospitals that global supply chains now depend on. A record project backlog, a growing modular construction footprint and rising service revenue give the company more visibility and pricing power. At the same time, tariff driven material cost swings and dependence on large tech related projects keep execution risk front and center. With management openly discussing how scale, contract structures and early material purchasing help them handle supply chain shocks, investors weighing this stock have more to consider than just headline growth numbers.

Comfort Systems USA looks like a simple contractor; however, accelerating orders and modular projects hint at something bigger in reshoring and AI buildouts. Get the full story in the analysis report for Comfort Systems USA

NYSE:FIX Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Aug 2026

JBT Marel is a Chicago based food and beverage equipment company that supplies automated processing, packaging and material handling systems used in everything from poultry and meat plants to ready meals, dairy and pet food facilities worldwide. It also sells automated guided vehicle systems for warehouses, auto plants and hospitals. JBT Marel has a market cap of about US$6.3b.

JBT Marel gives you exposure to two themes at once: automation in food production, and the push to bring more high value equipment manufacturing closer to U.S. customers. Management is already discussing tariff headwinds of around US$10 million to US$15 million per quarter and an annualized cost impact of roughly US$50 million to US$60 million. At the same time, the company is working to shift sourcing and some production to the U.S. and other regions to offset those costs. Along with merger synergies, growing aftermarket and software revenue, and a board that has reaffirmed 2026 guidance despite tariff developments, this creates a situation where the potential benefits are identifiable while the tariff, integration and debt risks still require careful analysis.

JBT Marel is reshaping food automation just as tariffs bite and sourcing shifts closer to U.S. customers. See how the tariff bill, merger plans and debt profile really stack up in the analysis report for JBT Marel

NYSE:JBTM Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Aug 2026

Seeking Alternatives Before The Crowd Moves

Fresh ideas do not stay under the radar for long. By the time momentum is high, the easiest entry points can be gone. Scan these curated lists and consider getting in early.

• Target income that can keep working for you through changing cycles by reviewing our curated 8 dividend fortresses that focus on durability as much as yield.
• Spot early movers in critical infrastructure and explore potential grid upgrade trends with a focused sweep through 36 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks while it still feels under followed.
• Consider positioning ahead of potential data center and automation buildouts by screening 55 AI infrastructure stocks before interest increases and more investors start focusing on the same tickers.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data
and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your
financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data.
Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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SBA Announces First-Ever Critical Suppliers Prize Competition to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing and Supply Chains – The Gilmer Mirror

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced its first-ever Critical Suppliers Prize Competition, a national contest to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and critical industry supply chains by expanding capacity at key chokepoints. The competition will award up to $20 million in non‑dilutive capital, including as many as six prizes with a maximum of $6 million each, to small businesses that demonstrate the capacity to rapidly scale domestic production through measurable, enduring supply chain solutions.

“For decades, bad policy hollowed out America’s industrial base and shifted our reliance toward foreign producers and fragile overseas supply chains. Thanks to President Trump, those days are over,” said Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Critical Suppliers Prize Competition will unleash promising solutions to supply‑chain vulnerabilities, bring capacity and jobs back home, and rebuild strategic sectors like advanced materials, metals, and energy production. By backing innovators to deliver at scale, the Trump SBA is targeting the critical industries that will anchor America’s economic strength and national security for decades to come.”

“I urge manufacturers and critical suppliers throughout the region to seize this exciting opportunity and submit proposals for the Critical Suppliers Prize Competition,” said Regional Administrator Steven Snow, who oversees SBA operations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. “Our region is home to industrial powerhouses of every size—from innovative small businesses to established manufacturers—supporting semiconductors, medical devices, precision metals, and more. Together, these job creators employ millions of Americans, strengthen our critical supply chains, and prove that American ingenuity and American-made products can compete and win anywhere in the world. This competition is a chance to expand that capacity, bring production home, and build a stronger, more secure industrial future for our country.”

Contestants must have an aligned business strategy that provides tangible deliverables on one of the following critical industry supply chain priorities:

• Advanced Metals Manufacturing, including rapid tooling, precision casting and forging, heat treated components, strategic and critical minerals, and rare earth element recovery and magnet production.
• Advanced Materials Manufacturing, including large format additive manufacturing and materials transformation.
• Energy Systems, Energetics and Components, including nuclear energy, battery energy storage systems and standardization efforts.

Eligible competition contestants must meet the following criteria:

• Private entities or teams that meet SBA’s definition of a small business.
• Individuals submitting responses to this opportunity, including individuals representing organizations partnering with the small business applicant, must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age at the time of their submission of an entry.
• An individual cannot belong to more than one entry in this competition.
• Contestants must be current and in good standing on any federal obligations.
• Contestants must be in good standing in the jurisdiction of their state of organization.
• Contestants must be an entity organized in and maintaining a primary place of business in the U.S. and/or its territories.
• Contestants must be profitable and demonstrate creditworthiness.
• Contestants must demonstrate the ability to deploy funds rapidly (within six months) and demonstrate the ability to achieve measurable increases in production or ability to implement a solution to support efficiencies in production to deliver near-term supply chain impact.
• All members of the senior management team of a contestant must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and over the age of 18.

The SBA has committed to rebuilding American supply chains and domestic manufacturing through a series of targeted initiatives. This year, the agency waived loan fees for manufacturing NAICS codes, established the first-ever loan program dedicated to American manufacturers, and modernized the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program so more private capital flows into critical, supply‑chain‑sensitive industries. The agency also announced a new 90% Made in America Loan Guarantee for small manufacturers and continues to promote existing programs such as the asset-based 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) Program. Through its ongoing Supplier Matchmaking Expo series and its Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, the agency has also played an active role in helping large companies source small suppliers to onshore supply chains across industries.

Contestants must submit proposals electronically to investinnovate@sba.gov. Proposals may be in the form of a company pitch deck. More information can be found at https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/priorities/sba-initiatives/critical-suppliers-prize-competition/. The deadline for submission is Aug. 21 by 11:59 p.m. ET.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

About SBA Office of Investment and Innovation

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) leads programs to support U.S. growth-oriented small businesses and startups. These programs provide access to capital, assistance, and networks to support the success of innovation-driven small businesses. OII’s work is bolstered by public-private partnerships that drive small business growth from idea to impact. To learn more, visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-investment-innovation.

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American Rheinmetall expands U.S. Tier 1 manufacturing network supporting missile structures and major military modernization programs

American Rheinmetall is positioning its U.S. Tier 1 manufacturing network to support rising demand for precision components used in critical defense systems. The company highlighted missile body structures as one area where its domestic facilities provide advanced metal forming, machining and finishing capabilities.

The missile structures require tight manufacturing tolerances and must withstand demanding operational environments, according to the company. American Rheinmetall said its manufacturing teams are delivering at the speed and volume required by the U.S. Department of War.

The manufacturing network forms part of a broader U.S. industrial operation spanning six facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Maine. American Rheinmetall operates more than 1.7 million square feet of manufacturing space and employs more than 1,500 people.

The workforce supports fabrication, machining, assembly and welding activities for defense and commercial customers. The company said its facilities also retain significant capacity for future expansion.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, American Rheinmetall designs, develops and produces tracked and wheeled military vehicles and components. It operates as both a full-service original equipment manufacturer and a Tier 1 supplier to the U.S. defense sector.

Its portfolio includes vehicle systems, mechanical systems, ground-vehicle electronics, ISR platforms and soldier lethality technologies. The company also supplies short-range air defense solutions, fabricated structures, armored products, rubber products and track systems.

American Rheinmetall’s U.S. industrial footprint expanded significantly after Rheinmetall AG acquired Loc Performance Products in late 2024. The Michigan and Ohio-based business supplied track and mechanical systems, fabricated structures and precision-machined components to defense, industrial and commercial customers.

Loc Performance Products now operates under the American Rheinmetall name, with its legacy products and capabilities incorporated into the wider business. Rheinmetall said the acquisition would directly support the growth of its U.S. military vehicle operations.

American Rheinmetall Systems also began operating under the unified American Rheinmetall name in 2025. The Biddeford, Maine-based operation focuses on next-generation lethality, fire control, vision systems and short-range air defense technologies.

The company said the unified structure is intended to streamline operations and improve collaboration across its U.S. businesses. American Rheinmetall continues to supply the U.S. government, major defense prime contractors and customers in several commercial industries.

Its U.S. strategy combines domestic manufacturing capacity with access to Rheinmetall’s wider vehicle and electronics portfolios. American Rheinmetall said that approach allows it to adapt and integrate established platforms for specific U.S. military requirements.

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Survey Shows U.S. Manufacturing Activity Reaches More Than Four-Y…

Reports related to this article:

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

Summary

The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index showed economic activity in U.S. manufacturing reached its highest level since May 2022. Industrial Info Resources’ project data shows strong spending in the U.S. Industrial Manufacturing Industry.

U.S. Manufacturing Activity Rolls On

The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index showed economic activity in U.S. manufacturing reached its highest level since May 2022, with demand indicators showing faster growth. Strong spending in the U.S. Industrial Manufacturing Industry is reflected in Industrial Info Resources’ project data.

The PMI, which tracks 18 manufacturing sectors in the U.S., registered 55.6% in July, up from 53.3% in June–indicating faster growth month-over-month. Any reading over 50% indicates expansion in the manufacturing economy. July also marks the seventh month in a row of expansion.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, there is $687 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.

“We have a really strong report this month,” Susan Spence, chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, said during a news media call.

Three of the four demand indicators–the New Orders, Backlog of Orders and New Export Orders indexes–expanded in July. The New Orders Index expanded for the seventh consecutive month, up 0.7% from June.

In terms of output, July’s Production Index jumped 6.3% month-over-month and reached its highest level since November 2021.

In a press release accompanying the survey, Spence said 38% of respondents’ comments were positive while 62% were negative, with a 1:1.6 ratio of positive to negative sentiment.

In the call, she acknowledged that “the continued Iran war and remaining price volatility” are still risk factors for manufacturing operations. Survey respondents echoed that sentiment.

Pricing volatility was mentioned in 57% of the negative comments, the Iran war 43%, increasing lead times 22% and tariffs 18%.

Mixed Feelings

Although July’s Prices Index, an indicator of input and raw materials costs, continues to show elevated price pressures, the reading of 71.1% lessened from June’s 73%.

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.

“Demand is up, and prices are up as a result,” Spence said. She added that although the list of shortages “is pretty significant” and “certainly could get worse” depending on geopolitical factors, currently “orders are flowing.”

The PMI considers shortage items to be specific commodities, raw materials, components, or labor services that are reported to be in short supply or difficult to source.

“Overall, we’re definitely optimistic,” she said.

A Transportation Equipment survey respondent said, “Continued tariffs on products utilized in our product lines are being monitored by the business, which is working to mitigate or limit tariff risk. Geopolitical risk, especially in the Middle East, pertaining to commodity and energy markets remains a concern. There has been some increased cost and transit time for rerouted shipments due to conflicts in the Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz and Suez Canal.”

On a positive note, one respondent from Computer & Electric Products said a favorable demand environment is driven by growth in the semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced packaging and high-performance computing (HPC) markets. “Recent company reports indicate strong sales growth and continued investment in manufacturing capacity.”

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

Strong U.S. Manufacturing Capex

IIR data show data centers account for about 46% of the total investment value of U.S. Industrial Manufacturing Industry projects under construction.

AI cloud infrastructure provider Fluidstack is building out a multi-billion-dollar grassroot data enter in Abernathy, Texas, north of Lubbock. The facility is expected to feature 168 megawatts (MW) of critical load capacity, in order to provide expanded high-performance computing (HPC) support in the region.

Also in Texas, the first building of Google’s planned six-building data center campus in Oklaunion, near the Oklahoma border, kicked off in March. Construction is expected to wrap up next year.

Readers can view the two project reports.

IIR’s North American Construction Starts Index also shows strong capital spending: The monthly index for the U.S. Industrial Manufacturing industry in June (the latest available data) indicated 1,719 construction starts, with a project value of $209 billion–up from 1,604 projects worth $160 billion year over year.

Key Takeaways

• The ISM’s PMI survey shows U.S. manufacturing activity in June reached its highest level since May 2022.
• Three of four demand indicators–including new orders–are growing at a faster rate.
• The Iran war and tariffs still are driving ongoing price pressures for manufacturers.
• $687 billion: value of projects under construction in the U.S. Industrial Manufacturing Industry. About half is attributed to data centers.



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).

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Logo Brands Expands U.S. Manufacturing Capabilities with Acquisition of Brass Reminders | National

Strategic acquisition expands manufacturing in Spring Hill, Tennessee, while continuing production at Brass Reminders’ existing Mexico facility, broadens specialty retail distribution, and creates new opportunities for customers across North America.

FRANKLIN, TN / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2026 / Logo Brands, a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of licensed sports and lifestyle products, announced the acquisition of Brass Reminders, a respected manufacturer of premium decals and magnets serving the specialty retail and destination markets.

The acquisition represents another strategic step in Logo Brands’ long-term commitment to expanding its domestic manufacturing capabilities while strengthening its position in the specialty name-drop industry. By combining the strengths of both organizations, Logo Brands will further enhance its North American manufacturing network, enabling the company to offer retailers a broader assortment of high-quality products while increasing U.S. production capacity.

For years, Brass Reminders has earned the trust of its customers by producing premium decals and magnets backed by exceptional service and quality. Logo Brands was drawn not only to the company’s manufacturing expertise but also to its loyal customer relationships. The acquisition creates an opportunity to provide those customers with a more complete assortment of coordinated hard goods while continuing to deliver the premium decal and magnet products they have come to expect.

“At Logo Brands, we are focused on expanding our vertical domestic manufacturing capabilities and increasing our capacity to build more of our products here in the United States,” said Matt McCauley, CEO of Logo Brands. “Brass Reminders allows us to do exactly that while also introducing Logo Brands to new retail customers. Together, we can offer a more complete collection of products with the same marks and designs, creating greater value for our customers, and increasing opportunities for growth.”

Brass Reminders previously operated production facilities in Kentucky and Mexico. As part of the integration, Logo Brands will move the Kentucky manufacturing operation to its manufacturing and distribution facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, further expanding the company’s U.S. production capabilities and creating greater operational efficiencies. The Mexico production facility will remain in operation for strategic manufacturing purposes, providing additional production capacity, supply chain flexibility, and uninterrupted service for customers across North America.

The acquisition strengthens Logo Brands’ manufacturing footprint and reinforces the company’s commitment to investing in domestic production, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships with retailers across North America.

Together, Logo Brands and Brass Reminders are well positioned to deliver expanded product offerings, enhanced manufacturing capabilities, and continued innovation while maintaining the quality and customer service both companies are known for.Media Contacts:Rachel Schmucker, Matt McCauley,SOURCE: Logo Brands

Copyright 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

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The Trump Administration’s Promises of a US Manufacturing Revival Fell Flat, First-Half Data Shows

Despite claiming that his preeminent trade policy would shrink America’s export gap with the rest of the world, President Donald Trump’s tariffs haven’t managed to rebalance trade or prompt a reshoring renaissance.

In fact, an analysis of first-half 2026 trade and manufacturing data conducted by Rethink Trade, a program under the American Economic Liberties Project, revealed that the U.S. manufactured goods trade deficit is 5 percent wider than before the president took office for a second term.

While Trump campaigned on a promise that tariffs on foreign imports would drive more purchases of American-made goods, the truth has been much more complicated.

Since taking the oath of office in January 2025, the U.S. has shed 75,000 manufacturing jobs, and there’s been little evidence to show that companies are laying the foundation for a comeback, as construction spending on manufacturing facilities also declined by 30 percent during that period.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the manufactured goods trade deficit amounted to $785 billion in the first half of 2026—15 percent smaller than the first half of 2025, but higher than the first six months of 2024, as well as the first-half deficits seen from 2015 to 2021.

Rethink Trade director Lori Wallach cautioned against viewing the first-half 2025-to-2026 contraction in the deficit as an all-out win, given that there were special circumstances that precipitated it. Importers were rushing to get inventory into the country during the first three months of the year before Trump’s tariffs took effect—but after that period, the overall U.S. manufactured goods trade deficit jumped by $63 billion in 2025 compared to the previous year, she said.

In looking at the goods trade deficit, which contracted to $545 billion in the first half of 2026 (compared to $750 billion in the first half of 2025 and $603 billion in the first half of 2024), there are also telling signs that the apparent wins may not be what they seem.

For one: most of the gains stemming from goods exports weren’t related to manufacturing output—they were driven by commodities: gold, silver, oil and gas, as well as aircrafts. When it comes to the metals, a large share are re-exports of products that weren’t mined in the U.S., and that’s a sign that the flows are driven more by capital movements than bona fide goods trade.

Wallach put it succinctly. “The whole global economy is a little bit unstable because he”—Trump—”changes his mind every 30 seconds and started a war with Iran. And so you know what do people do? They rush to silver and gold. And so, we’re selling basically the economic security blanket metals as bulk ores (that there’s new demand for because Trump has destabilized the global economy), and then we’re selling oil and gas because the Iran War has basically undermined other supply chains of those things,” she said.

“Trump has caused temporary disruption, and so we’re getting a temporary boom related to this behavior that is also causing major downsides,” she added. “The promised renaissance is not happening because you would not have a net decline in manufacturing jobs since Trump returned to office. You would not have a manufacturing trade deficit that is higher than it was before he was inaugurated for the second term.”

In Wallach’s estimation, using tariffs to prompt reshoring would take a much more nuanced and comprehensive approach than the one the Trump administration has employed thus far. Tariffs should have been a single building block propping up the president’s trade and economic strategy, not the entire structure.

In addition to applying tariffs more surgically, Wallach said the administration should have helped build demand for American-made products through policies—tax incentives for consumers who purchase domestically made goods, for example, and requirements for domestic procurement by the federal government.

On the investment side, she said, the government should have offered subsidies for companies hoping to reshore, “because as well as creating demand for the goods and protecting the sectors not to be surged to death once you are getting the demand, you also need to basically incentivize the investment.”

Wallach pointed to the end of the Inflation Reduction Act subsidies put in place by President Joe Biden as a possible factor in the decline in factory construction. “The most recent peak in the past 15 years of manufacturing employment was the first quarter of 2023, and that is when all of that money was flowing,” she said.

Biden used tariffs in conjunction with subsidies, she added, pointing to duties on China for electric vehicles and heightened tariffs on solar products. The combination of strategically applied tariffs on specific industries and the subsidies and tax breaks for American makers “was working together hand in glove,” she said.

The way the current administration is leveraging tariffs, by contrast, amounts to throwing down a few puzzle pieces and hoping to build a full picture of a robust trade economy. According to Wallach’s research, the new data underscores “what public opinion polls are already capturing.”

“We have a growing gap between the economy Trump promised and the damage his tariff malpractice is causing.” she said.

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