IndustryNet Blog

Employee-owned A-1 Global Holdings, Inc. today announced the appointment of Steve Gillhouse as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, a role supporting the Company's continued growth and market expansion across the Southeastern United States.

Chemical manufacturing depends on the safe and reliable handling of aggressive fluids such as acids, solvents, caustics, and specialty chemicals. These substances not only threaten product quality when mishandled but can also degrade the very equipment used to move them. Pumps are at the center of this challenge, and their correct specification determines whether a system operates smoothly for years or fails within months.

Everything looks fine on the supply chain side. Your vendor list is full. You have your go-to suppliers. Orders are moving. Then something breaks. A shipment is late. A key contact does not respond. A part fails inspection. Or a supplier you have relied on for years quietly stops taking on new work.

As manufacturers continue to prioritize flexibility, tighter tolerances, and material diversity, waterjet cutting providers have become essential partners across a wide range of industries. Get an inside look at the current state of the U.S. waterjet cutting sector, see the trends shaping its evolution in 2026, and exlore the companies delivering high-performance cutting solutions.

hen people think about construction and infrastructure in the United States, they picture steel frameworks, concrete structures, and heavy machinery. But what actually keeps these systems sealed, efficient, and long-lasting? -Custom extruded rubber seals and gaskets.

John M. Curley III, Sandmeyer Steel Company's Vice President of Sales, retired on March 11, 2026, 41 years to the day from his date of hire on March 11, 1985. Curley's retirement marks the end of a remarkable 115 years of the Curley name in the stainless steel industry.

Compressed air is often called the fourth utility in chemical processing. It powers actuators, valves, dryers, and numerous control systems across production lines. Unlike electricity or steam, however, compressed air quality is often overlooked until contamination leads to downtime, compliance violations, or product losses.

Solar Atmospheres is pleased to announce the installation and full commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Fontana, California facility, further expanding the company's high-pressure vacuum heat treating capabilities in the western United States.

In recent years, the manufacturing sector has entered a new phase of digital transformation often referred to as smart manufacturing. But the industry is now moving beyond "smart" systems toward operations that can actively analyze, predict, and improve performance in real time.

Plumbing contractors play a vital role in building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports modern industry. From installing process piping in manufacturing plants to maintaining water systems in commercial facilities and public infrastructure, these contractors ensure that the fluid systems essential to daily operations function safely and efficiently. Industrial plumbing work often extends far beyond traditional plumbing, encompassing specialized piping systems for steam, compressed air, chemicals, chilled water, and sanitary processing.

A new anaylsis conducted by the research teams at Industrial SalesLeads, an MNI partner, shows that 382 new planned industrial projects were tracked in February. Planned industrial project activity declined 7% from January, following a 3% increase from December 2025 to January 2026. The result is a modest month-to-month slowdown after a modest increase at the start of the year. The following are selected highlights on new industrial construction news and project opportunities throughout North America.

Developing a plastic product often involves coordinating multiple suppliers for design, tooling, molding, and finishing. Miles Products simplifies that process by offering comprehensive thermoplastic manufacturing services that support customers at every stage, from early product development through full-scale production.

Toman ThermoSonics Inc, a leading provider of heat staking systems, thermal presses, pneumatic presses, ultrasonic welding equipment, plastic assembly solutions, and automated assembly systems, today announced its relocation to a larger facility in Menomonee Falls, WI and the transition to new ownership under president Torey Bringa. The move from its former location in New Berlin, WI marks a significant milestone in the company's continued growth and commitment to serving customers in the automotive, medical, energy, consumer products, electronics, and industrial manufacturing sectors.

Custom metal fabricators are essential partners for manufacturers across virtually every industrial sector. Whether it's precision brackets for aerospace assemblies, welded frames for agricultural equipment, machined housings for medical devices, or complex structural components for construction, these fabricators turn design concepts into tangible parts and assemblies. In an era where supply chain resilience, product innovation, and production flexibility are priorities, domestic custom metal fabricators have grown in importance. They offer tailored solutions that standard off-the-shelf products simply cannot match. This article examines the current state of the custom metal fabrication industry explores the key trends shaping how shops operate and serve customers, and sets the stage for a closer look at some of the largest and most respected fabricators in the United States.

Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, a global leader in precision metals, announced the hiring of Matt Lappen as Vice President, Distribution Group. In this role, Lappen will lead Ulbrich's distribution group, overseeing its network of metal service centers across North America and Europe. He will work closely with division leadership to support focused growth, operational alignment, and consistent value delivery to customers.

Pack Air Inc.'s primary business is conveyor systems. If another manufacturer already builds a specialized piece of equipment that we need on our line, we typically buy it from them rather than reinventing the wheel. But when our customer requires equipment to do something that the standard suppliers don't do, we will consider building it ourselves.

High-efficiency HVAC and thermal management systems demand more than basic insulation. They require precision-engineered insulation gaskets that control air leakage, condensation, vibration, and thermal bridging. Manufacturing companies and other leading HVAC OEMs rely on closed-cell elastomeric insulation materials like K-FLEX USA INSUL-SHEET for consistent thermal and moisture performance.

Tufco provides flooring systems to some of the most critical areas of your facility. With over 50 years of experience in the resinous flooring industry, we have the knowledge, materials, and methods required to provide unique solutions in a wide array of environments.

From automotive plants and construction sites to appliance manufacturers and machine shops, scrap metal is an unavoidable byproduct of industrial activity. This article examines the current state of the U.S. scrap metal processing industry, explores the trends shaping the sector, and highlights both the largest processors and IndustryNet's top suppliers driving the market forward.

It's 2026 and your trade show calendar is filling up. Are you ready? While trade shows provide a unique opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to show off their products, connect with industry professionals--and of course, generate high-quality leads--simply showing up is not enough. You need a strategic approach to maximize return on investment (ROI).

Most of us remember the thrill of seeing a Valentine's card left on our desks in fifth grade, the envelope weighted with candy hearts that bore messages like "BE MINE" and "TRUE LOVE." As we grew older, we picked up a bag of candy hearts at the store and helped our kids create their first Valentine's Day cards, carefully doling out candy hearts into each envelope. And many of us still leave Valentines for our favorite co-workers, neighbors and family members, a few candy hearts secured in each envelope. But have you ever thought about who makes these cute little hearts and how exactly they came to be?

Manufacturers have long looked to the White House for leadership, policy, and vision--but not always with enthusiasm. From George Washington's push for domestic production to modern initiatives shaping high-tech and green industries (and yes, tariffs!), presidential decisions have frequently spurred both progress and discontent. Let's take a look at the U.S. presidents who built (or broke) American manufacturing.

Wisconsin-based Henry Repeating Arms, one of America's leading firearms manufacturers and a world-leader in the lever-action rifle category, is launching two new product families with its Protector Carbines, which are compact and suppressor-ready for everyday utility and peace of mind, and its Provider Rifles, which are dedicated hunting rifles focused on putting meat in the freezer, season after season.

For decades, manufacturers relied on trade shows, distributor relationships, and cold outreach to drive new business. While those channels still play a role, today's buyers behave very differently. Engineers, procurement managers, and operations leaders now begin their purchasing journey online, often long before they ever speak to a sales representative.

askets are one of the most important "make or break" components in industrial equipment. When a seal fails, the costs show up fast as downtime, leaks, safety risk, warranty exposure, and missed deliveries. This week's report looks at what is changing in the U.S. gasket supply market, with a focus on the trends shaping material choices, performance expectations, sourcing strategies, and the kinds of capabilities buyers are prioritizing from gasket manufacturers and fabricators.

In the intricate landscape of POC and clinical diagnostics, reliable specimen collection is the starting point of assay accuracy. While cellulose, glass fiber, nitrocellulose, or fibrous media have traditionally been used in diagnostic specimen collection for diagnostics, sintered plastics often offer more precise control, durability, and customization for certain requirements. Consider the following:

U.S. manufacturers continue to navigate a business environment shaped by both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities. Throughout 2025, the industrial sector faced ongoing cost pressures, tight labor conditions, and continued geopolitical uncertainty. As manufacturers adapt, many are turning to IndustryNet, the free industrial marketplace, to connect with suppliers and meet their evolving needs. What were they searching for? Let's take a look:

Research conducted by the research teams at Industrial SalesLeads, an MNI partner, reveals 396 new planned industrial projects tracked during the month of December. Planned industrial project activity declined 1 percent from the previous month. The following highlights summarize selected new industrial construction news and project opportunities across North America.

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan Inc. is proud to announce that it has earned Nadcap 18-Month Merit Status for heat treating and brazing--an honor awarded only to organizations that consistently demonstrate the highest levels of quality, process control, and specification compliance. With this achievement, every Solar Atmospheres location nationwide now holds Nadcap merit status.

The overall success of your business depends on the reliability of every single piece of machinery in your application. Servicing industrial air compressors regularly is vital. Read how ESA can help you with a preventative maintenance plan that's right for your operations.