Global Scans · Manufacturing · Weekly Summary

• [New] PwC's survey of global manufacturing leaders shows AI, automation, and advanced technologies moving rapidly from experimentation to scale, with tech enablement and automation set to more than double by 2030. PwC
• [New] PwC research shows that more and more industrial manufacturers expect growth to come from new activities beyond their historical core; fully 44% of total revenue is projected to come from outside the manufacturing of industrial and consumer products by 2030. PwC
• [New] South Korea's K-Robot Economy Plan targets 1 million robot installations by 2030, while the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act is channeling capital into highly automated semiconductor fabs. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Production Systems revenue of $3.77 billion increased 7% sequentially, driven by strong growth in Latin America, Europe & Africa, Asia and North America, despite a decline in the Middle East due to disruptions associated with the regional conflict. Las Vegas Sun
• [New] Observers should anticipate intensified scrutiny of domestic production capabilities for critical materials and semiconductors, as the DoD seeks to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent years. Featurespace
• [New] The best predictive maintenance software for manufacturers in 2026 pulls signal directly from PLCs and IoT sensors, uses AI to separate noise from real risk, prescribes the next action, and opens a work order in the CMMS or EAM automatically. Decisyon
• [New] Allies and NATO, together with industry through the DIPB, will assess options for 'always on' production models and the establishment of strategic reserves and stockpiles, allowing for sustained delivery of critical defence capabilities. Official texts and resources | NATO
• [New] NATO will launch the NATO Engine, a network bringing manufacturers and factories who have flexible production capacity together with companies, in particular non-traditional suppliers, who require facilities to scale their production under a contractor - or factory-for-hire model. Official texts and resources | NATO
• [New] China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference that China's annual humanoid robot production volume is expected to exceed 100,000 units in 2026. Tech Times
• [New] North America's number of IoT connections is projected to exceed 8 billion by 2030. Straits Research
• [New] Growing America's leadership will require policies that encourage continued investment in semiconductor research, manufacturing, workforce development, trade, and supply chain resilience. Semiconductor Industry Association
• [New] The US government will spend US$ 5 billion on a new AI research initiative that includes the development of longer-lasting building materials. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has acknowledged that the semiconductor giant must catch up to rivals AMD and Arm, and said it now assumes edge AI and robotics will be a business as big as PCs. theregister
• [New] While ADNOC can ramp up its oil production in a matter of weeks, it will take four months for oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz to return to 80% of pre-conflict levels and full flows will not return before the first or second quarter of 2027. tradearabia
• [New] Global vehicle production volumes, recovering strongly from pandemic-era supply chain disruption, are providing a favorable demand backdrop for automotive turbocharger manufacturers. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Non-economic factors, including geopolitical tensions, concerns about future U.S. trade restrictions, and forced labour risks, remain the primary drivers of continued de-risking efforts rather than concerns about manufacturing capability or sourcing costs. FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing
• [New] The federal PV tender local component procurement ratio stands at 50% in 2026, rising incrementally to 60% by 2030, driving global PV manufacturers to build domestic U.S. production bases - the core driver of overseas factory investment in the U.S. from 2026 to 2030. Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] TOPCon modules captured 46% of procurement for new solar-storage hybrid projects in 2026, projected to rise to 79% by 2030, making n-type TOPCon the top factory expansion technology over the next five years. / USA Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] IRA Section 45 X manufacturing credits are boosting polysilicon factory investment, with three polysilicon plants planned in Ohio and Texas to launch phases from 2029, lifting domestic silicon feedstock self-sufficiency to 32% by 2030. Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] The European Chips Act is further accelerating semiconductor investments aimed at expanding Europe's share in global semiconductor production by 2030, which is expected to strengthen local DSP manufacturing and reduce supply chain dependence on Asian suppliers. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 02 August 2026