IndustryNet Blog

Tool and die makers remain a quiet backbone of U.S. manufacturing, supplying the precision components that make high-volume production possible across automotive, aerospace, appliance, electronics, and industrial markets. This week's report examines the current state of the U.S. tool and die sector, explores the trends shaping how these shops operate, and highlights the largest manufacturers and top suppliers in the industry.

When businesses search for a reliable asset-based 3PL near major U.S. ports and distribution hubs, Premier Logistics stands out as a financially secure logistics partner with nationwide reach. We provide comprehensive warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, port logistics, FTZ services, and transportation solutions from strategically located facilities across the United States.

Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals has announced several strategic leadership appointments within its Wire Group. Mike Geiger has been promoted to Vice President, Wire Group, Dan Burns has been promoted to General Manager of Ulbrich Shaped Wire, and Dan Day has been promoted to General Manager of Ulbrich Specialty Wire Products. All appointments are effective immediately and include planned transition periods.

When companies invest in commercial photography, they need images that present their products, facilities, and teams clearly and professionally. Mallin Photography helps businesses achieve that goal by delivering reliable, high-quality commercial images that support marketing and sales efforts. Based in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, Mallin Photography specializes in commercial, advertising, industrial, corporate, product, catalog, architectural, hospitality, and food photography. The studio serves clients throughout the Southeast and is known for being easy to work with while meeting short deadlines.

This week's report examines the U.S. conveyor supplier landscape, highlighting how suppliers are adapting to shifting industrial demand, evolving automation needs, and the growing complexity of material handling environments. The analysis looks at the forces shaping the market and sets the stage for a closer look at IndustryNet's top conveyor suppliers serving manufacturers across the country.

The global wire & cable sector is undergoing a structural shift driven by electrification, automation, Industry 5.0, and data-center expansion. As cable designs move toward higher bandwidth, greater power density, higher temperatures, and smaller geometries, material selection is becoming a mission-critical engineering decision.

In 2025, manufacturers across the U.S. pushed innovation forward in meaningful ways. Companies invested in automation, advanced materials, capacity expansions, and smarter systems that directly improved production, quality, and reliability. These efforts may not always be flashy, but they are the kinds of innovations that reshape factories, strengthen supply chains, and deliver measurable results on the shop floor. IndustryNet's Top Innovators of 2025 highlights manufacturers and industrial suppliers that stood out for how they applied technology, refined operations, and solved real world problems.

A-1 Industries, a technology-driven manufacturer of structural building solutions, is gaining recognition for its leadership in addressing affordable housing needs across Georgia and the Southeast. The company was recently included in the December edition of Georgia Trend, which examined the growing demand for attainable housing in Southwest Georgia and explored innovative approaches helping communities meet that need.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Monday the creation of a new Deregulation Strike Force, a move the agency says is designed to rein in regulatory costs that have weighed heavily on small businesses in recent years. The initiative, unveiled December 15, establishes a dedicated team within the SBA charged with identifying and eliminating federal regulations that disproportionately impact small firms. The effort is part of President Trump's broader affordability agenda and will focus on rules enacted during the Biden Administration that the SBA says contributed to rising costs across the economy.

Heat treating sits at the core of American manufacturing, quietly enabling everything from automotive drivetrains and heavy equipment to aerospace components and medical devices. While often invisible to the end user, heat treating determines how metal performs in real-world conditions, affecting strength, wear resistance, fatigue life, and safety. As manufacturers push for tighter tolerances, longer part life, and more consistent quality, heat treating providers have become critical partners rather than downstream vendors.

It has been another transformative year for U.S. manufacturing. From navigating tariff volatility to expanding domestic production and reshoring critical supply chains, American manufacturers continue to prove their resilience and ingenuity. Public support for U.S.-made goods has never been stronger (and at MNI, we're truly proud to support that momentum through our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's onshoring portal, helping connect American manufacturers with new opportunities and national visibility!) As we do each December, we're celebrating that spirit with our Made-in-USA holiday gift guide, featuring standout products crafted by exceptional U.S. companies. From sweet treats to fashion-forward accessories to fun and exciting toys, explore the following gifts and supplies produced within America's borders by these exceptional companies.

The U.S. door-supply industry supports a broad range of needs: from basic metal frames and utility doors to custom architectural entrances, glass storefront systems, insulated overhead doors, security-grade roll-ups, and more. Today, we're taking a closer look at the U.S. door industry, shedding light on current trends and exclusive statistics collected by MNI and taking a look at some of the industry's top suppliers.

In a major development for veteran entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that it has fully cleared the nationwide backlog of Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) applications. The backlog of more than 2,700 cases had accumulated after staffing and resources were previously diverted away from the veteran certification program.

This Thanksgiving, as families gather around the table, there's even more reason to give thanks for the people who make it all possible: the manufacturers who keep America supplied, sustainable, and strong. From cookware and candles to table linens and glassware, countless U.S. companies contribute to the products that bring comfort, quality, and tradition to our holiday celebrations. At MNI, we're proud to support those makers through our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's onshoring initiative, a national effort to connect buyers with verified American suppliers. This program helps manufacturers source domestically, reduce overseas dependency, and strengthen local economies: values that reflect the very spirit of Thanksgiving.

Supporting everything from heavy equipment manufacturing to construction, transportation, energy, and fabrication, steel suppliers are without a doubt among the most vital of U.S industries. And things are changing. Tariffs have introduced greater cost volatility for imported steel, which has pushed some companies to prioritize domestic sourcing. In turn, U.S. suppliers are seeing increased demand for reliable inventories, material traceability, and steady fulfillment schedules. This week, we're examining the current state of the U.S. steel supply sector, exploring the key trends affecting the industry, and getting to know both the largest suppliers and IndustryNet's top performers.

New industrial market research team reports 402 new planned industrial projects tracked during October, marking a 2.24% increase in activity from the previous month. The continued rise highlights steady growth and sustained investment in key parts of the industrial sector.

Process equipment manufacturer Volkmann USA, Bristol, PA has introduced its latest Vibratory Feeder Dosing System. Integrating weighing, feeding, and dosing in a single, compact unit, the new VFD 100 gently and continuously feeds powders, pellets, granules, and other free-flowing bulk materials into mixers, extruders, and other equipment in volumetric feeding, and may be quickly adjusted to automatically weigh and dose the materials in precise amounts via loss-in-weight (LIW) feeding.

At Tamarack Industries, we keep things simple: make good parts, communicate clearly, and deliver on time. Everything we build comes out of our Yakima, Washington facility, where our plastics team handles projects of various shapes and sizes. Whether you're starting with a brand-new idea or you already have tooling ready to run, we're set up to help you get the parts or packaging you need under one roof.

In today's fast-paced manufacturing industry, effective communication is critical to success. The right print materials, including brochures, catalogs, data sheets, and more, convey your brand's story, showcase your products, and connect with potential customers. These tangible tools not only enhance your marketing efforts but also strengthen brand credibility and trust. Whether your goal is to educate, persuade, or highlight your company's expertise, understanding which printed materials matter most is key. This guide explores why print marketing remains vital for manufacturers, the most useful types of materials to produce, and design tips to make your print strategy more impactful.

Steel coil is far more than a convenient way to package metal. It's the foundation of precision manufacturing, advanced engineering, and modern product innovation. Rolled, slit, and finished to tight standards, coil enables efficient production lines and transforms raw alloy into everything from medical devices to automotive and architectural components. But what exactly is steel coil, how is it made, and why is it so vital to today's manufacturing landscape?

Franklin Precision Castings (FPC) celebrates 40 years of manufacturing precision investment castings. Since 1985, FPC has grown from a supplier of glass mold components into serving the pumps and valves, steel, oil and gas, food processing, and defense industries.

Solar Atmospheres is proud to announce the installation and commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Greenville, South Carolina facility. Manufactured by sister company Solar Manufacturing, this state-of-the-art horizontal vacuum furnace features a working zone measuring 48 inches wide by 48 inches high by 96 inches deep and can process loads up to 12,000 pounds.

Henry Repeating Arms today announced the release of the SPD CRUSR Rifle, a collaborative project between Henry's Special Products Division (SPD) and Field Ethos. The ultralight lever action is designed to shrug off the elements with a best-in-class feature set tailored to professional guides, backcountry outfitters, and hunters who push their expeditions deep into the world's most unforgiving places.

Electrical contractors play a critical role in connecting infrastructure and operational performance across nearly every industry. Responsible for wiring, control systems, lighting, automation, and instrumentation (just to name a few) electrical contractors are critical to commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Industry forecasts show steady growth ahead, driven by infrastructure investment, renewable energy expansion, and smart building technology. In this article, we'll explore some key industry trends, take a look at what electrical contractors do, and highlight some of the leading suppliers and service providers across the United States.

In March 2024, a powerful tornado tore through a small Ohio community, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Among the affected businesses was A&H Hose, a trusted national supplier of hoses and fittings. The storm devastated their manufacturing facility, destroying the second floor and shifting the concrete block walls--a tough hit for a company built on hands-on service and hard work.

Manufacturing identification products like data plates and name plates for heavy machinery, along with utility pole tags for electric utilities, cable markers for telecoms, and "Do-Not-Dig" signs for pipeline companies, Tech Products, Inc of Staten Island, NY has turned 77 years old.

In the world of industrial and maritime maintenance, precision and productivity go hand in hand. Every moment counts, especially when machinery downtime translates directly to lost revenue. Whether it's aligning a motor in a manufacturing facility or repairing equipment offshore, technicians know that accuracy is essential.

When it comes to industrial equipment, resilience and reliability are essential. Yates Cylinders understands this, offering a comprehensive line of custom-built welded hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders designed to tackle the demanding requirements of various industries.

Cyclonaire, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of pneumatic conveying equipment, is proud to announce a new partnership with Western Process Equipment (WPE) as part of its expanding Manufacturer's Representative network. This collaboration strengthens Cyclonaire's presence across western Canada and enhances its ability to deliver customer-driven solutions with local expertise and support.

Braddock Metallurgical has been honored with the 2025 Master Craftsman Award, also known as the Commercial Heat Treater of the Year, presented by Heat Treat Today in cooperation with the Metal Treating Institute (MTI). This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to a company that demonstrates outstanding performance in quality, environmental stewardship, community involvement, and industry leadership.