Weekly Reads on our site: affordable products, long-lasting items, and tips for escaping the cycle of overwork
Welcome back to our Weekly Reads, now well underway in May 2025! Kick off your reading journey with a rundown of the hottest content to surface on our site this past week, as voted by our community of manufacturing enthusiasts:
- The Red Tractors of Tomorrow: John Deere's 5G Foray: From manufacturing productivity boosts to lower latency communications, John Deere's trailblazing deployment of private 5G networks promises to revolutionize industry operations. But what comes with this cutting-edge technology, and how can manufacturers adapt to its intricacies?
- Slate's Retro Roadster: An Ode to No-Frills Electric Vehicles: Buckle up and join Slate, backed by Jeff Bezos, as they roll out their minimalist electric pickup, sporting hand-cranked windows and no formal sound system – all for under $20,000. But with other competitors in the game, will it be enough to pique consumer interest?
- The Leadership Jam: Escaping the Do-It-All Trap: If you're always the one solving problems, what might you be missing out on? Our expert overviews the all-too-common 'doer trap' and provides actionable tips on how to delegate and drive change.
- Century-Old Champions: Celebrating Manufacturing Pioneers: From hardware to appliances, these manufacturers have managed to stand the test of time, continuing to make their mark a century later. Find out who they are and why they're still thriving.
- Airbus Incorporates Spirit AeroSystems: A Match Made in the Skies: The Boeing deal to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier spun off a decade ago, is now complete. What does this marriage of giants mean for the manufacturing industry in the long run?
- Tariff Tide Turns: Navigating Manufacturing's New Waters: In a rapidly evolving landscape, our editors weigh in on how the latest round of tariffs will reshape the manufacturing world, likely ushering in winners and losers alike.
- Nucor's Execs: A Positive Demand Outlook over Hurdles: In the face of uncertain industries, Nucor executives remain optimistic about demand growth, citing gradual progress rather than abrupt peaks and troughs.
- This Just In: The Unexepected Success of the 'Made in USA' Policy: From batteries to dog food, a few success stories highlighting the advantages of 'origins matter' policies in today's shifting global manufacturing landscape.
- Intel's Reshaping: A Promise to Prune: Decreased operating costs and an improved focus on core competencies are on the horizon for Intel, but will it be enough to turn their losses into profits?
- Bonus Round: Electric Dreams: Making Batteries in the Land of Opportunity: Why making batteries in the U.S. is more than just trendy; it's essential for empowering local innovation and ensuring future-proof manufacturing.
- In the midst of May 2025's Weekly Reads, Jeff Bezos' Slate unveiled its minimalist electric pickup, establishing a competitive presence in the industry through its $20,000 hand-cranked model deploying 5G networking.
- As manufacturers adapt to the intricacies of John Deere's trailblazing 5G technology, the industry anxiously awaits the transformative effects on operations and productivity.
- The Boeing-Airbus merger, announced with the completion of the Airbus Incorporates Spirit AeroSystems deal, presents uncertainties for the long-term impact on the manufacturing world.
- As the manufacturing industry ponders the latest tariff changes and their implications for winners and losers, Nucor executives maintain an optimistic outlook for gradual demand growth amidst hurdles.
