"[A]gility and the productive use of data has become more important than ever," Accenture Research Managing Director Svenja Falk said during a recent panel session on the digital divide. Four strategies for using data well include understanding its power and knowing how to scale up as needed.

Northrop Grumman and Boeing are among large companies committing to increase the number of small- and medium-size suppliers they use in the US and train them on additive technologies. It's part of the Additive Manufacturing Forward program, promoted by the White House and the nonprofit Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America, that views 3D printing as a manufacturing inflection point for easing supply chain logjams, enhancing output and creating jobs.

Ninety-five percent of manufacturers are optimistic about 2022 revenues, believing they will meet or exceed 2021's, according to respondents of the 2022 Marcum National Manufacturing Survey. Finding enough skilled workers to replace those lost during the Great Resignation is the largest worry, affecting 83% of respondents, and 77% plan to hire more people within the next year, with 86% planning to raise wages.

Sophisticated, industry-specific models are the best approach to adjusting supply networks, as the wrong approach can turn your network from a sail into an anchor, four McKinsey analysts write. Models for consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and apparel show how the various trade-offs work best for different industries.

Planning ahead with nearshoring, alternative transportation routes and other strategies is part of the shift back to just-in-time supply chain management from just-in-case, but companies shouldn't lose sight of the financial benefits of just-in-time solutions, CommerceIQ President Kal Raman writes. A "renewed focus on data and real-time tracking technology" can help companies adopt a hybrid supply chain approach that uses both strategies, Raman writes.

An end-to-end "digital thread" that enables seamless, on-demand manufacturing for e-commerce can be a boon to supply chains beyond the speed and ease of use it offers, writes Mark Flannery, global product director for e-commerce at Protolabs. Other benefits include transparency, design and manufacturing feedback, and consistency, Flannery writes.

Boom Technology has pledged to operate at net zero carbon emissions by 2025 by using sustainable aviation fuel to develop its Overture supersonic airliner. "With no afterburners and buzz-free engines, Overture's takeoffs will blend in with existing long-haul fleets, resulting in a quieter experience for both passengers and airport communities," the company says.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has announced additional funding through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program that will go to the Challenge Program Inc. The funds are intended to help students learn about careers in manufacturing through a program called Students in the Workplace.

The Manufacturing Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Women MAKE America Awards (formerly STEP Ahead Awards), which will recognize 100 distinguished women leaders and 30 rising female stars in the manufacturing industry. Now entering its 11th year, the awards have celebrated and elevated more than 1,200 women who have made significant contributions to their companies, communities, and the next generation of female manufacturers. We encourage you to work with your company to nominate your female colleagues and peers who exemplify leadership and mentorship. View our nomination guide for more details on eligibility, selection process and key dates, and submit your nominations before the Oct. 7 deadline.