Nearly all US manufacturers responding to a National Association of Manufacturers survey said operations were ongoing or only temporarily paused because of the coronavirus pandemic. A majority of respondents are re-engineering processes to adjust to pandemic conditions, while almost one in eight are rethinking their company mission.

Product design should take into account a manufacturer's objectives and have a direct line to the CEO, writes Mark Dohnalek, president and CEO of product development firm Pivot International. "Design ROI can be challenging to quantify, which is why scorecards are often used," he writes.

US durable-goods orders plunged 17.2% in April after a 16.6% drop in March, the Commerce Department reported. Business investment declined by 5.8% when excluding aircraft and defense goods.

The Manufacturing and Sterilization for COVID-19 Initiative at Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has been working toward faster and more efficient methods of producing 3D-printed face shields for health care workers and testing filtration materials for N95 masks. The ability of 3D printing to quickly duplicate designs has been key to the initiative's success, as critical shortages of PPE continue during the pandemic.

Automotive parts suppliers are receiving upfront payments through programs created by General Motors and Ford Motor, avoiding billing timelines that can typically run as long as 60 days. "The cost of such deals compared to the cost of being out of business is not really a choice," says Bob Roth of supplier RoMan Manufacturing.

Data in real time and from third parties can help supply chains have better information and react quicker to disruptions, writes ThoughtSpot CEO Sudheesh Nair. Companies should also optimize their pricing strategy and help their suppliers go digital with invoices and other parts of their operations, Nair writes.

Wireless sensors connected to the internet of things are one way that manufacturers can ensure the social distancing necessary to protect workers from the coronavirus. Swift Sensors Chief Operating Officer Ray Almgren explores this and other options, including partitions and plant floor zoning.

Tyson has released its "Grow - Deliver - Sustain" 2019 Sustainability Report, which includes updates on the company's efforts to create a global sustainable protein supply and expand agricultural conservation initiatives. The report also notes Tyson identified conservation improvements for over 400,000 acres of farmland in a pilot program with the Farmers Business Network and reached its corporate goal to support communities with $50 million in hunger-relief donations one year ahead of schedule.

Women are underrepresented in manufacturing, but a committed effort, including mentoring and sponsorship by men, can help close this gap, says AJ Jorgenson of the Manufacturing Institute. "When you know you have pipeline issues you must intentionally and specifically reach out and show women the path," says MxD CEO Chandra Brown.