Forbes
What will be the the lasting impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing? Non-essential manufacturers are faced with furloughs as they pause operations and manufacturers of essential products are adapting to operating with fewer people.Taking action now will help you prepare for whatever the future looks like.

Manufacturing Global
The first phase, which could begin within the next three weeks, would see manufacturing and construction workers return in low-risk environments, and is based on regional analysis and determinations. 

Today’s Motor Vehicles
While automotive executives and the United Auto Workers (UAW) continue to meet to discuss how to safely reopen auto plants during the COVID-19 pandemic, the union is rejecting calls to have workers back on the line by early May as some companies had hoped.

AGMA
Now more than ever, data will shine light on the path forward. The AGMA Gear Market Report, available only to AGMA members, provides a quarterly comprehensive snapshot of the gear industry. The report provides macro-level information on U.S. Economic conditions and outlook for the next six months side by side with information from the AGMA Monthly Market Trend Report (MMTR) which collects actual bookings and actual shipments from gear manufacturers across North America. The report is available for a 50% discount ($1,000/yr) and the first quarter information can be immediately downloaded through the AGMA store.

Bloomberg
Companies in Italy’s manufacturing, automotive and construction industries will be the first to restart activities, as the government on May 4 begins gradually lifting a nationwide lockdown, Deputy Health Minister Pierpaolo Sileri said.

Car and Driver
Automotive sales are down for every type of vehicle right now. A combination of the coronavirus pandemic and the recession brought along with shelter-in-place orders has bettered nearly every corner of the economy. But in general, for the EV market in the United States, a dip in adoption is very likely.

SME
Small to medium-sized manufacturers are calling for greater and faster financial support from the Government as they confront plummeting sales, production volumes and the prospect of job cuts amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of AGMA’s most popular face-to-face courses are offered online. Gear Industry professionals don’t need to worry about traveling to get the highest-quality gear education. Some offerings include: Gear Failure Analysis, Hobbing, Detailed Gear Inspection, Gearbox CSI and more.

Forbes
Putting employees first and protecting them by combining real-time monitoring, analytics, and automation to streamline production enables manufacturers to keep producing much-needed medical supplies and serve customers.

India Briefing
Due to its relatively cheap land and labor, factories equipped with the latest technology, and favorable policies for foreign investors, China is a leading manufacturing hub for companies worldwide.

Gear Technology
Shop floor inspection and gaging equipment is putting advanced metrology systems right on the factory floor. Here is a collection of articles on shop floor inspection and gages from companies like Gleason, Mahr, Comtorgage, United Tool and Supply and Frenco.

Detroit News
With assembly lines halted and auto sales in free fall, the replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement will take effect July 1, one month later than its original start date, the federal government said Friday.

AGMA  |  May 6 at 1:00 pm Eastern time
This webinar will detail what you need to know to be prepared for the many changes coming later this year under USMCA, the replacement for the NAFTA trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. From understanding the new rules of origin and certification requirements to labor and environmental provisions of the new agreement, companies engaged in cross-border trade in North America, as well as companies considering new investments in the region, should plan to attend this webinar. 

Industry Week
Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group announced they would join forces to develop, produce, and sell hydrogen fuel cells systems for trucks and other heavy vehicles. Daimler will allocate all of its existing fuel-cell operations into the group, including its Mercedez-Benz Fuel Cell company. Volvo has signed a non-binding agreement to acquire a 50% stake in the partnership for 600 million euros or $650 million.

Food in Canada
Festo has entered into a strategic partnership with MassRobotics of Boston, Mass, to further global market growth and innovation initiatives dedicated to the development of the next generation of robotics.

Manufacturing.net
Boeing announced Saturday it terminated an agreement to join forces with Embraer, Prompting an angry response from Brazilian jet maker, which threatened to seek damages.

Net News Ledger
Life can be tough as a small manufacturing business when you have to compete against much larger companies that have the prestige, finances, and resources to dominate, but that is not to say that you cannot succeed and compete with these much larger organizations.

3D Printing Industry
Big companies may come knocking at your door as supply chains adjust after COVID-19. Will your 3D printing business be ready?