🤖 Advanced Manufacturing #10
HolonIQ is tracking reskilling and upskilling efforts as automation, robotics, and AI reshape the industry. With demand for specialized skills accelerating, continuous learning is key to driving innovation, boosting efficiency, and building a future-ready workforce.
This week in Advanced Manufacturing, Premier Energies is launching a $402M greenfield solar module and warehousing unit in Sitarampur, Telangana. Procter & Gamble is investing $97M to expand its Pineville, Louisiana, plant, adding advanced production lines. Flock Safety has opened a $10M manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Georgia, with plans to create 210 jobs by 2027, focusing on drones and solar panels. Meanwhile, BAE Systems is investing $260M across facilities in Louisville, KY, and Jacksonville, FL, to enhance submarine manufacturing capabilities.
On the upskilling front, BHEL Trichy is launching an upskilling initiative to support its MSME vendor base as outsourced production demand surges. St. Louis Community College (STLCC) has opened a $51.8M Advanced Manufacturing Center at its Florissant Valley campus, supporting nearly 20 high-tech programs. Yudo has launched an industry-first NSDC-certified training program focused on the plastic manufacturing sector. In policy, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has unveiled its first Defence Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, emphasizing additive manufacturing to decentralize production, reduce lead times, and improve resilience.
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Advanced Manufacturing Labor Market Trends
☀️ Premier Energies to invest $402M in Telangana Solar Module Plant. Premier Energies is launching a greenfield solar module and warehousing unit in Sitarampur, Telangana, with a total investment of $402M. Spanning 100 acres, the facility will house a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module line, supported by $301M in construction costs. Additional plans include $205M for an ingot & wafer plant and $30M for aluminum extrusion—creating 2,500 jobs. Construction begins in April 2025, guided by RCT Solutions GmbH.
🧼 P&G to Invest $97M in Louisiana Plant Expansion, Creating 50 Jobs. Procter & Gamble is investing $96.7M to expand its Pineville plant over two years, adding advanced production lines and boosting output. The project will create 15 new direct jobs with an average salary of $70K and retain 572 roles, plus 35 indirect jobs. Backed by a $1M state grant and additional incentives, the Tide-producing facility reflects P&G’s 55-year commitment to Louisiana’s manufacturing community and continued local reinvestment.
📡 Flock Safety Opens $10M Plant in Georgia, 210 Jobs Coming. Flock Safety has launched a $10M, 97,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Georgia, with plans to create 210 jobs by 2027. The site will build public safety tech, including drones as first responders, refurbish devices, and assemble solar panels. CEO Garrett Langley highlighted Georgia’s aerospace leadership, while Gov. Kemp praised the company’s growth. The facility strengthens Georgia’s standing as a hub for advanced manufacturing and public safety innovation.
⚓ BAE Systems Invests $260M to Expand Submarine Production in the US. BAE Systems has invested over $260M across facilities in Louisville, KY, and Jacksonville, FL to boost submarine manufacturing and maintenance capabilities. Upgrades include advanced welding and machining, with over 200,000 sq ft now dedicated to submarine work. $60M went to Louisville for VPM missile tubes and propulsors; $200M to Jacksonville for a ship-lift, land-level facility, and Columbia-class deck structure fabrication. These expansions align with the growing demand for US Navy submarines.
China Accounted For 45% of Advanced Manufacturing Firms in 2023
🏭 Dominating global production, China accounted for 45% of advanced manufacturing firms in 2023, reinforcing its industrial supremacy and deepening strategic control over next-gen supply chains.
🌍 The United States and the rest of the world followed distantly at 17%, highlighting a fragmented global landscape with limited competitive parity.
🏛️ The EU’s modest 10% share signals lagging regional cohesion and industrial scale in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.
🚄 South Korea (5%), the UK (4%), and Japan (2%) remain niche players despite strong R&D capabilities, raising concerns about long-term competitiveness in frontier industries.
Upskilling/Reskilling Initiatives
🏭 BHEL Trichy Upskills MSMEs Amid $20.4B Order Surge. BHEL Trichy is launching a major upskilling initiative to support its MSME vendor base as outsourced production demand exceeds 240,000 metric tons annually. The Welding Research Institute will boost welder skills to meet advanced demands in local ancillary units. With $20.4B in national orders—75% from power—BHEL plans to counter vendor attrition by supporting MSMEs with SIDBI loans and prioritizing local outsourcing.
🏗️ STLCC Launches $51.8M Advanced Manufacturing Center to Strengthen Talent Pipeline. St. Louis Community College’s new $51.8M, 96,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center at Florissant Valley supports nearly 20 high-tech programs like robotics, geospatial tech, and drone piloting. Funded by Proposition R, it trains future engineers, technicians, and pilots while strengthening ties with industry, including Boeing, which has hired over 1,100 STLCC graduates for defense aircraft roles.
🏭 Yudo Launches Industry-First Training Programme for Plastic Manufacturing Sector. Yudo has launched a 70-hour, NSDC-certified training program focused on Hot Runner System (HRS) technology for the plastic manufacturing sector. Facilitated by the Arvind Mehta Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre (AMTEC), the programme aims to enhance industry skills and foster innovation. This initiative, aligned with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat program, was inaugurated last week.
Policy Initiatives
🏗️ UK MOD Unveils Defence Advanced Manufacturing Strategy with Focus on Additive Manufacturing. The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched its first Defence Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, prioritizing additive manufacturing to decentralize production, reduce lead times, and enhance supply chain resilience. The strategy aims to improve agility in critical situations and foster collaboration between industry and military sectors, with investments in skills, infrastructure, and policy development.
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