🤖 Advanced Manufacturing #6

This week in the Advanced Manufacturing space, GE Aerospace is investing $70M to upgrade its Muskegon, MI facility, expanding LEAP engine component production for commercial and military aircraft. Saica Group is investing $110M in a new Indiana corrugated plant, creating 100 jobs as part of its $800M US expansion. Siemens is committing $10B to AI and manufacturing, acquiring Altair Engineering, and launching $285M production sites in Texas and California. Tesla is building a $200M battery megafactory in Texas, creating 1,500 jobs and expanding energy storage capabilities.

In advanced manufacturing upskilling, Ireland’s $67.5M AMTCE training center has opened and is set to train 10,000 advanced manufacturing workers by 2026. Ohio colleges secured a $5.7M grant to strengthen engineering technician pipelines, backed by Honda and Lincoln Electric. Wawasan Open University is partnering with TT Vision and Oppstar to upskill 200 semiconductor professionals in Malaysia. On the policy front, China’s ICBC has launched an $11B tech innovation fund to boost semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, aligning with its $100B push for tech self-reliance.

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Advanced Manufacturing Labor Market Trends

✈️ GE Aerospace Invests $70M in Michigan to Boost Manufacturing. GE Aerospace is investing $70M in its Muskegon facility, upgrading machinery, and expanding production for LEAP engine components used in narrow-body aircraft. The site also manufactures parts for widebody jets and military aircraft. Part of a $1B nationwide investment, this expansion strengthens Michigan’s aerospace sector and enhances the region’s role in national security.

📦 Saica Group Invests $110M in Indiana for New Corrugated Plant. European packaging leader Saica Group will invest $110M in a state-of-the-art corrugated plant in Anderson, Indiana, creating over 100 jobs. The 350,000-square-foot facility, operational by Q4 2026, enhances US production and logistics. Supported by $2.45M in Indiana incentives, this marks a step in Saica’s $800M US expansion strategy.

🤖 Siemens Expands US Investments with $10B in AI, Manufacturing. Siemens will invest over $10B in US AI and manufacturing, including acquiring Altair Engineering to enhance AI-powered design capabilities. The investment creates 900 skilled jobs, pushing Siemens’ US investments past $100B in 20 years. New $285M production sites in Texas and California will bolster industrial and AI infrastructure.

🔋 Tesla to Build $200M Battery Megafactory in Houston Suburb. Tesla will invest $200M in a new battery factory in Brookshire, Texas, creating 1,500 advanced manufacturing jobs. The facility will produce Tesla megapacks for energy storage, capable of powering 3,600 homes for one hour. The plant will span 600,000 square feet, with $44M in facility upgrades and $150M in equipment. Tax abatements are contingent on meeting job and inventory requirements.

Nearly 11M Are Employed in the US Manufacturing Sector in 2025

🧑‍🔧 The number of men employed in the US manufacturing sector is projected to reach nearly 11M in 2025, maintaining a steady presence over the past two years despite fluctuations in industrial activity and economic conditions.

♀️ Women represent a significantly smaller share of manufacturing employment, with fewer than 2M workers in 2025. Their employment levels have remained relatively stable but show minimal growth compared to their male counterparts. This is further contrasted with the nearly half (47%) of roles women account for in the broader labor force.

📊 Manufacturing jobs comprised about 8.5% of total nonfarm employment in 2023, a proportion expected to remain relatively constant through 2025. This steady share indicates that, despite economic fluctuations, the sector’s overall labor demand remains robust for both men and women.

Upskilling/Reskilling Initiatives

💾 $67.5M Louth Training Centre Opens for Advanced Manufacturing Skills. The LMETB Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk officially opened following a $67.5M investment. Backed by DFHERIS, SOLAS, and Enterprise Ireland, the state-of-the-art facility offers courses in robotics, automation, and 3D construction printing. AMTCE has trained 5,000 learners since 2021, with another 5,000 projected through 2026. 

🏭 Ohio Colleges Secure $5.7M Grant to Boost Manufacturing Workforce. Lorain County Community College is leading the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, a $5.7M US Department of Labor-funded initiative to address Ohio’s manufacturing skills gap. Partnering with Cuyahoga, North Central State, Owens, and Terra State Community Colleges, the program will expand engineering technician training, integrate paid earn-and-learn internships, and offer credit for prior experience.

🛠️ WOU Partners with TT Vision, Oppstar & Clarion to Strengthen Semiconductor Talent. Wawasan Open University (WOU) has signed MoUs with TT Vision, Oppstar, and Clarion Malaysia to upskill 200 professionals in semiconductors and manufacturing. Programs include IoT-enabled manufacturing, IC design, and smart manufacturing. Aligned with Malaysia’s STEM Talent Blueprint, the initiative enhances workforce competitiveness and supports Penang’s position as a high-tech talent hub.

Policy Initiatives

💰 China’s ICBC Launches $11B Tech Innovation Fund. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has unveiled an $11B fund to bolster “hard technology” sectors, including semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Positioned as "patient capital," the fund aligns with China's push for technological self-reliance amid geopolitical tensions. This follows the government’s recent plan to mobilize over $100B for tech startups, reinforcing China’s strategic focus on innovation-driven growth.

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