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Eric Sorensen
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Radio for manufacturing and engineering professionals. New industrial products, news and technical articles.

  1. LISTEN: First Brands Pauses 345 Layoffs as Accounting Scandal Unfolds

    10H AGO

    LISTEN: First Brands Pauses 345 Layoffs as Accounting Scandal Unfolds

    Auto parts supplier First Brands will retain 345 employees previously slated for layoffs at its TMD Tiffin facility in Ohio. The company announced in February that it would close the site and cut 407 workers on April 30. It now plans to keep 345 of them through May 31, with the remaining employees losing their jobs as scheduled. The February WARN notice listed impacted employees, which included press operators, production handlers, engineers, maintenance workers and quality control staff. First Brands said the postponement stems from ongoing attempts to sell certain U.S. facilities. These efforts followed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September 2025, when the company reported more than $10 billion in debt. In January, it launched a process to sell all or parts of the business, including brands such as Autolite spark plugs, Anco windshield wiper blades and FRAM filters. #manufacturing, #autoparts, #firstbrands, #layoffs, #bankruptcy, #accountingscandal, #fraud, #corporategovernance, #businessnews, #industrialnews, #supplychain, #workforce, #ohiojobs, #chapter11, #automotiveindustry, #financialcrisis, #industrynews, #marketnews, #operations, #restructuring

    2 min
  2. Gen Z in Manufacturing: The Skilled Trades' New Ultimatum

    1D AGO

    Gen Z in Manufacturing: The Skilled Trades' New Ultimatum

    Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast that asks young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer. For this episode, I welcome Xavier Gonzalez and Jesse Tabango, two HVAC students at Texas State Technical College. We recorded the conversation live at Fluke’s Thought Leadership Day during the company’s Xcelerate conference in Austin, Texas.   In this episode, Gonzalez and Tabando discuss:  • (:55) Aspects of skilled trades that attract young people • (5:01) What surprises Gen Z at their first manufacturing job • (7:12) How the Gen Z workforce wants to be trained • (13:16) How young workers view growth and where they find a sense of purpose  Please make sure to like and share this episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing. To view previous episodes, visit manufacturing.net. If you are a member of Gen Z and would like to discuss your experience in the manufacturing industry, please get in touch with me, Nolan Beilstein, at nolan@ien.com. #GenZ, #manufacturing, #skilledtrades, #workforce, #futureofwork, #HVAC, #tradesjobs, #careers, #podcast, #manufacturingjobs, #industry40, #automation, #youngprofessionals, #workforcedevelopment, #careergrowth, #training, #education, #techcareers, #industrialcareers, #nextgen

    16 min
  3. LISTEN: Packaging Giant Closing Factory, Selling Division Amid Escalating Financial Scandal

    1D AGO

    LISTEN: Packaging Giant Closing Factory, Selling Division Amid Escalating Financial Scandal

    Last September, Gerresheimer's stock plunged after German regulators announced an investigation into potential accounting rule violations and compliance irregularities.  The packaging maker's issues started when BaFin, Germany’s federal financial authority, began looking into a potential bill-and-hold scandal. The company may have recognized €35 million in inflated revenues for some contracts before the revenue was actually realized.  In February, as the German manufacturer hired a second auditing firm to review accounting irregularities, the company also announced plans to cut costs, including the sale of Centor, its U.S. subsidiary in Ohio which makes packaging systems for dispensing prescription drugs.  Gerresheimer also announced plans to close a glass factory in Chicago Heights, Illinois, laying off 172 workers and offshoring production to factories in Italy and India. The layoffs at Gerresheimer Moulded Glass Chicago will take place on September 30, 2026, according to a local report.  A company spokesperson told IEN, "The planned closing of our facility in Chicago Heights is one of the measures of our comprehensive transformation program. It is a global program aimed at reducing costs and improving performance, including an optimized utilization of our global production network." After rejecting a takeover bid from U.S. rival Silgan earlier this month, the manufacturer faces heightened scrutiny. According to German financial media company Aktiencheck, BaFin has expanded its investigation even further as it looks into possible misstatements of millions in leasing liabilities, a review of supposed development costs and potentially inaccurate valuations of other company divisions.  Still, the company expects to make up to €2.4 billion euros in 2026 fiscal year. #GenZ, #manufacturing, #skilledtrades, #workforce, #futureofwork, #HVAC, #tradesjobs, #careers, #podcast, #manufacturingjobs, #industry40, #automation, #youngprofessionals, #workforcedevelopment, #careergrowth, #training, #education, #techcareers, #industrialcareers, #nextgen

    2 min
  4. LISTEN: Refrigerator Factory Lays Off 1,500 Ahead of Switch to Washers

    5D AGO

    LISTEN: Refrigerator Factory Lays Off 1,500 Ahead of Switch to Washers

    A U.S. refrigerator factory will lay off 1,500 employees later this year ahead of a planned production change to laundry appliances including washing machines and dryers. Electrolux, a home appliance manufacturer based in Sweden, announced a retooling at its South Carolina plant as part of a new joint venture agreement with the Midea Group, which will own 45% of the facility. Food preservation production will be phased out by July 2026 and fabric care is expected to start in the first half of 2027. The JV is expected to hire up to approximately 1,200 employees gradually across 2027 and 2028 as laundry appliance production ramps up. According to WYFF, all the laid off employees will be offered severance packages and will be invited back to work in the retooled facility. Electrolux called the shutdown temporary, but said “we recognize the impact this decision will have on our valued employees. We are working closely with state and local agencies to support our employees and, where feasible, assist with placement in alternative roles within the Anderson community.” #manufacturing, #appliances, #electrolux, #midea, #layoffs, #manufacturingjobs, #factoryretooling, #supplychain, #industrialnews, #automation, #globalmanufacturing, #costcutting, #economy, #madeinusa, #southcarolina, #manufacturingindustry, #businessnews, #workforce, #factoryjobs, #industryupdates

    2 min
  5. LISTEN: New Alabama Factory Looks Like Rolling Hills

    6D AGO

    LISTEN: New Alabama Factory Looks Like Rolling Hills

    JST Corp. is a Japanese company that makes electronic connectors found in nearly every industry, from the automotive and medical markets to robotics, gaming and even amusement. The company’s plant in Guntersville made every cable assembly used in The Las Vegas Sphere. This week, JST announced a new project, a $500 million expansion effort in North Alabama. The move will create 80 new jobs and add 540,000 square feet. The component maker is familiar with expansion projects—it now has more than 70 facilities in 17 countries—but in some cases it has design aspirations that are particular.  For example, renderings of JST’s project in Guntersville are striking—the factory looks like rolling hills with a few loading docks. The connector maker wants the new site to incorporate a “natural setting” on the 240-acre property at Conners Island Business Park. More of a peninsula, Conners Island is about 40 minutes southeast of Huntsville. JST said the location is strategic given its proximity to Alabama’s auto manufacturing industry. However, Kevin Lauret, plant manager for the new facility, said the type of property also played a key role.  The architectural design is meant to reflect and protect the natural setting adjacent to Lake Guntersville. The company’s development philosophy is heavily influenced by Japanese beliefs that view land and nature as sacred.  #manufacturing, #advancedmanufacturing, #industrialdesign, #factorydesign, #sustainability, #greenmanufacturing, #architecture, #industrialarchitecture, #japanesedesign, #innovation, #automation, #supplychain, #automotiveindustry, #economicdevelopment, #madeinusa, #manufacturingjobs, #smartfactory, #engineering, #construction, #futureofwork

    3 min
  6. LISTEN: Despite Tariffs, GM Still Builds Cheaper Cars in Korea

    APR 23

    LISTEN: Despite Tariffs, GM Still Builds Cheaper Cars in Korea

    It’s clear that the goal of the United States tariffs on automobiles was to give American production a leg up. Adding costs to imports would - theoretically - encourage buyers to favor American-made vehicles, and encourage automakers to, perhaps, reshore their globally produced models. But as with many complex economic questions, the reality is a bit less straightforward – as evidenced by GM’s latest announcement. The Detroit-based automaker, who has long operated three factories in South Korea, revealed last month that it would be investing in Korea further. The goal for GM is to increase production capacity for vehicles that would be exported to U.S. buyers. GM’s Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer, as well as the Buick Envista and Encore GX are currently produced across three factories in Korea which employ some 12,000 workers and churn out about 460,000 vehicles annually.  #Tariffs #ManufacturingNews #AutoIndustry #GeneralMotors #GlobalManufacturing #SupplyChain #Reshoring #Economics #TradePolicy #AutomotiveNews #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade #FactoryProduction #IndustryTrends #CostAnalysis #AutoManufacturing #USManufacturing #KoreaManufacturing #MarketForces #EconomicReality

    2 min
  7. LISTEN: GM, Ford Asked to Support U.S. Weapons Supply Chain as Wars Drain Inventory

    APR 22

    LISTEN: GM, Ford Asked to Support U.S. Weapons Supply Chain as Wars Drain Inventory

    Senior defense officials in the Trump administration approached General Motors and Ford about supporting the U.S. military equipment supply chain, a source told the Detroit Free Press. The anonymous source said the separate conversations with CEOs Mary Barra and Jim Farley took place as early as last year. ****Original Post: https://www.ien.com/supply-chain/video/22965095/gm-ford-asked-to-support-us-weapons-supply-chain-as-wars-drain-inventory **** The Pentagon reportedly wants to use the automakers’ workforce and facility capacity to boost weapons production as wars in Ukraine and Iran have strained U.S. inventory. The Wall Street Journal first reported the discussions, noting that officials described the request as a “matter of national security.” The Journal also reported that German manufacturing is shifting toward defense production as the automotive sector combats a slump in demand and growing competition from China, with the government pushing to convert struggling operations into defense contractors. According to the Detroit Free Press, GM and Ford would likely not directly produce weapons but instead make structural components for subcontracting to weapons manufacturers. Relevant capabilities could include casting, stamping, forging and working with plastics and other composites. The conversations remain exploratory with no defined details. #DefenseIndustry #ManufacturingNews #AutoIndustry #Ford #GM #NationalSecurity #SupplyChain #MilitaryProduction #DefenseManufacturing #IndustrialBase #USMilitary #ArsenalOfDemocracy #WarProduction #IndustrialStrategy #Geopolitics #GlobalManufacturing #FactoryCapacity #IndustryTrends #BusinessNews #Production

    2 min
  8. LISTEN: Explosives Maker Accused of Neglecting Safety to Meet Pentagon Contract Before Fatal Blast

    APR 18

    LISTEN: Explosives Maker Accused of Neglecting Safety to Meet Pentagon Contract Before Fatal Blast

    An attorney preparing to file a federal lawsuit against a Tennessee explosives manufacturer over a deadly 2025 blast alleged this week that the company pushed its production beyond a safe level in an effort to fulfill a Pentagon contract. Darren Richie, who represents the families of two of the 16 people killed in the October explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, said during a Friday news conference that AES neglected safety hazards to increase production for the $120 million federal contract, the Tennessean reported. He indicated the families intend to file their lawsuit this month and will seek $150 million in damages. The statement came about a week after Tennessee's OSHA (TOSHA) department concluded a six-month investigation into the explosion and cited AES with 100 violations totaling over $3.1 million in penalties. The cited hazards included explosive dust buildup on equipment and workers spraying flammable paint near hot equipment without proper safeguards. The agency said the penalty is the largest in its history. #ManufacturingNews #IndustrialSafety #WorkplaceSafety #OSHA #Explosion #BreakingNews #IndustrialAccident #SafetyViolations #ChemicalSafety #ProcessSafety #WorkplaceHazards #FactoryExplosion #LegalNews #CorporateAccountability #CSB #SafetyFirst #USNews #IndustrialDisaster #Compliance #Engineering

    2 min
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About

Radio for manufacturing and engineering professionals. New industrial products, news and technical articles.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Sorensen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 IEN Radio
  • Show Website
    IEN Radio