By Lindsey Munson, editor, The American Mold Builder As the plastics industry approaches the end of 2025, it stands at a crossroads – balancing innovation and technological advancements with ongoing supply chain disruptions, regulatory pressures, shifting market demands and more. In this article, three industry veterans share their insights and perspectives on what lies … [Read more...] about Mold Manufacturing 2026: Industry Leaders Share What’s Ahead
Market Trends
Healthcare and Benefits to Strain Industry Resources at Increased Rate in 2025
By Andrew Carlsgaard, analytics director, AMBA In the competitive and dynamic landscape for hiring and retaining skilled employees, US manufacturers, particularly the small- and medium-sized businesses, face significant and unique challenges when providing healthcare and other employee benefits. These challenges are intensified by industry-specific factors, such as an aging … [Read more...] about Healthcare and Benefits to Strain Industry Resources at Increased Rate in 2025
US Government: Supply Chains in Focus
By Omar S. Nashashibi, co-founder, The Franklin Partnership, LLC The COVID-19 pandemic not only awakened OEMs but also senior government officials in Washington, D.C. to the need for a reliable domestic supply chain. Starting in April 2020, as a lobbyist for manufacturing associations, I began fielding questions about downstream industries as policymakers came to the … [Read more...] about US Government: Supply Chains in Focus
US Manufacturers Face Threat of Increasing Healthcare Rates, Seek Answers to Protecting Margins
By Andrew Carlsgaard, analytics director, First Resource In an increasingly competitive landscape for hiring and retaining skilled employees, rising healthcare and benefits costs for employers in the United States manufacturing sector have become a significant concern. These employers often face challenges in providing affordable healthcare benefits to their employees while … [Read more...] about US Manufacturers Face Threat of Increasing Healthcare Rates, Seek Answers to Protecting Margins
Strategic Planning for 2024: Contracts, Labor Market and Tax Impacts
By Lindsey Munson, editor, The American Mold Builder In a matter of weeks, 2023 will come to a close and companies will begin the important task of analyzing the prior months to then take those learnings and build a strategic plan for 2024. Ultimately, this will paint a clear direction for management and internal teams as they head into a new year. By taking early … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning for 2024: Contracts, Labor Market and Tax Impacts
AMBA Releases 2023 Industry-Wide Shop Rate Data to Membership
By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA At the end of 2022, American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) members indicated that wages for their employee workforces continue to rise, despite continuing challenges related to inflation and the current economic environment. These mold manufacturers are hoping that, by offering competitive wages, they will be … [Read more...] about AMBA Releases 2023 Industry-Wide Shop Rate Data to Membership