Category: Manufacturing

BusinessManufacturingTechnology

Parcel Shipping Costs Projected to Hit Historic Highs in 2025 Amid Carrier Pricing Shifts

Ground parcel shipping rates are on track to reach unprecedented levels in 2025 as carriers implement pricing changes and higher fuel surcharges. Shippers are responding by adopting cost-saving strategies including service downgrades and packaging optimization to mitigate the financial impact.

Ground Shipping Rates Set for Historic Climb

Ground parcel shipping costs are projected to reach record highs in 2025, according to reports from TD Cowen and AFS Logistics. Their analysis indicates that carrier pricing adjustments, additional fees, and reduced discount activity are creating sustained upward pressure on shipping expenses that could establish new benchmarks next year.

by Ethan Carver
EngineeringManufacturingScience

Advanced Simulation Technique Reveals Concrete Pavement Void Dynamics and Repair Mechanisms

A groundbreaking study using coupled finite element and discrete element modeling has uncovered the microscopic mechanisms behind void formation in concrete pavements. The research demonstrates how advanced simulation techniques can predict stress distribution and crack propagation, potentially revolutionizing pavement maintenance strategies. Validation against laboratory tests confirms the accuracy of these computational models for infrastructure assessment.

Novel Computational Approach to Pavement Analysis

Engineering researchers have developed an advanced simulation technique that reveals the complex mechanisms behind void formation in concrete pavement slabs, according to recent reports in Scientific Reports. The study employs a coupled Finite Element Method-Discrete Element Method (FEM-DEM) approach to analyze both macro and micro-scale behaviors in pavement systems. Sources indicate this methodology represents a significant advancement in infrastructure modeling, potentially leading to more effective maintenance strategies and extended pavement lifespan.

by Darren Holt
BusinessInnovationManufacturing

Volvo’s Localization Strategy Signals New Era for Global Automakers

Global automakers are shifting from standardized production to localized strategies as geopolitical tensions reshape supply chains. Volvo’s South Carolina facility demonstrates how companies are building resilience through cultural adaptation and regional manufacturing.

The End of One-Size-Fits-All Globalization

Global business is undergoing a fundamental transformation as decades of uniform globalization give way to more fragmented, localized approaches, according to industry analysis. While world merchandise trade volumes continue growing at approximately 2.5% annually according to WTO data, the mindset driving international business has shifted dramatically from ideological globalization to pragmatic adaptation.

by Darren Holt
ManufacturingPolicySustainability

Three Decades of Extended Producer Responsibility: How Waste Policy Reshapes Global Manufacturing

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy concept first proposed in 1990, has evolved into a global force transforming how products are designed and recycled. By making manufacturers responsible for end-of-life waste management, EPR creates financial incentives for more sustainable product design. The policy approach has expanded from packaging to electronics, batteries, and furniture across Europe and Asia.

The Origins and Evolution of EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy framework that has fundamentally altered waste management systems worldwide, recently passed the three-decade mark since its conceptualization, according to industry reports. The concept emerged in 1990 when Swedish academic Thomas Lindhqvist first proposed and named the approach, sources indicate. Reid Lifset, who collaborated with Lindhqvist shortly after the concept’s introduction, reportedly coined the now-ubiquitous “EPR” acronym, though not the underlying idea itself.

by Liam Dorsey
ManufacturingResearchScience

Dual-Laser 3D Printing Technique Enhances Metal Strength and Durability in New Study

A breakthrough in metal 3D printing technology reportedly enhances material properties through ultrasonic grain refinement. Scientists using dual-laser systems during selective laser melting have achieved significant improvements in steel strength and ductility, according to recent findings.

Breakthrough in Metal 3D Printing Technology

Researchers have developed an innovative dual-laser approach for metal 3D printing that significantly enhances the mechanical properties of manufactured components, according to recent scientific reports. The technique, which introduces ultrasonic pulses during the printing process, has demonstrated remarkable improvements in both strength and durability of 316L stainless steel, a material widely used in medical, aerospace, and automotive applications.

by Liam Dorsey