Manufacturing & Industrial Technology

iAutomation Backs RND Automation's PACK EXPO 2026 Robotics Demo

Chicago – September 28, 2026 -- iAutomation, a division of CAS Holdings, will send its team to PACK EXPO International 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 18–21, supporting sister company RND Automation's exhibit at Booth #N-5115 in the North Building.

RND Automation showcases live pouching and robotics demonstrations at Booth N-5115

RND Automation will run a live KANGA Poucher pouching demonstration alongside a configurable High-Risk Test Bench designed to validate difficult automation applications before full production deployment. The booth will also feature a large-scale FANUC M-710 industrial robot on display, with attendees eligible to enter a giveaway for a Bambu Lab 3D printer.

MEMS Market to Hit $25.03B by 2032 as APAC Leads Growth

Delray Beach, Fla. – – September 28, 2026 -- The global micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) market is projected to grow from USD 19.06 billion in 2026 to USD 25.03 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Microspeakers segment to post 18.4% CAGR through 2032

Among sensor types, microspeakers are expected to grow fastest at 18.4% CAGR between 2026 and 2032, outpacing broader market gains. Radio frequency actuators are forecast to grow approximately 6.3% over the same period, while the telecom vertical is set to expand at roughly 12.2% CAGR, driven by 5G infrastructure rollouts and advanced sensing deployments.

PCPI Plastics Marks 50 Years, Invests in New Presses and Automation

De Graff, Ohio – September 28, 2026 -- PCPI Plastics, LLC is celebrating 50 years of custom thermoplastic injection molding, having been founded in 1976, while confirming fresh investment in new presses, molds and automation to boost output for customers.

PCPI expands automation and press capacity to serve six industry verticals

The Ohio-based manufacturer serves customers across aerospace and defense, medical devices and pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics, industrial and consumer markets. Company leadership says the recent capital investment in new presses, molds and automation is aimed at improving both quality and cost competitiveness for its client base.

NAITRON Scales Granite Sink Output via PLC-Controlled TMT Molding

Hubei – September 28, 2026 -- Hubei Nature New Material Sanitary Appliance Co., Ltd. (NAITRON) has integrated PLC-based digital controls with its patented thermosetting molding technology (TMT) to manufacture granite composite kitchen sinks, targeting more consistent quality and higher-volume output for OEM and ODM clients worldwide.

Digital controls cut reliance on manual production steps

The company's molding system uses automated material dosing and an independent intelligent temperature management system, reducing labor costs and human error across the production line. NAITRON's TMT technology distributes particles evenly across both sink surfaces and molds each unit through a single compression process, eliminating joints or spliced sections that could cause deformation or cracking.

Civil Infrastructure Platform Hits IEC 62443-4-1/4-2 Compliance

San Francisco – September 28, 2026 -- The Civil Infrastructure Platform (CIP), an open source project hosted by the Linux Foundation, has achieved compliance with IEC 62443-4-1 and IEC 62443-4-2, becoming one of the first open source initiatives to reach this level of industrial cybersecurity alignment.

CIP compliance cuts adopter security work by up to 70%

CIP estimates that manufacturers building on its security processes, technical capabilities and reusable artifacts can reduce their IEC 62443 compliance effort by up to 70%, while retaining responsibility for requirements specific to their own products and deployments.

SJE Acquires Wilson Controls to Expand Water Automation Reach

Detroit Lakes – September 28, 2026 -- SJE, Inc. has acquired Wilson Controls, LLC, a New Hampshire-based automation and control provider for water, wastewater, and environmental applications, expanding SJE's PLC and SCADA systems integration and UL-listed control panel capabilities into New England.

Wilson Controls brings UL 508A and UL 698A panel manufacturing capabilities to SJE's portfolio

Founded in 2012 and based in Lee, New Hampshire, Wilson Controls engineers, programs, integrates, and supports PLC and SCADA systems, instrumentation, and control panels for municipal and industrial customers across New England and select projects beyond the region.

HONOR Grows 35% as Middle East Smartphone Market Shrinks 13%

September 28, 2026 – Kuwait City – -- HONOR grew smartphone shipments 35% year on year in the Middle East during the first half of 2026, even as the overall regional market contracted 13%, according to Omdia data cited by the company. The brand was the only major vendor in the region to post growth in the period, moving into second place in the market after posting 73% growth in the first quarter alone.

HONOR captures 24% share of the $300-500 price band

The gains were concentrated in the mid-to-high-end segment. HONOR took a 24% share of the $300-500 price band in the first quarter of 2026, up 130% year on year, narrowing the gap with Samsung in that category. The HONOR X9d, positioned on durability and battery life, became a top seller in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while the HONOR 600 Series delivered double-digit growth in what the company calls the accessible flagship segment.

TCL Opens Industrial Museum, Marks 45 Years With Tripled Revenue

Huizhou – September 28, 2026 -- TCL inaugurated its Industrial Museum in Huizhou, China, marking the company's 45th anniversary on the site where its predecessor, TTK, first began operations in 1981.

Museum spans 23,000 square meters with 3,000 curated artifacts

The facility includes more than 9,000 square meters of exhibition space across six halls and a central atrium. Exhibits include a 1920s Nipkow mechanical scanning disk, China's first television set, China's first commercial computer, and the world's first mass-produced printed OLED 4K display, developed by TCL CSOT in 2024. The television gallery holds over 100 vintage TV sets from around the world.

EverPeak Insurance Marks National Manufacturing Week, Highlights Workers' Comp Coverage

Denver – – September 28, 2026 -- EverPeak Insurance used National Manufacturing Week to spotlight its workers' compensation coverage for light manufacturers and machine shops across the United States.

EverPeak ties its coverage model to Pinnacol Assurance's century of underwriting experience

The Denver-based insurer said its workers' comp offering draws on more than 100 years of underwriting, claims, and risk management experience from Pinnacol Assurance. EverPeak positions itself as a provider for businesses it describes as carrying some of the toughest operational risks, including precision manufacturing and machine shop operations.

Makera Carvera Air Lets Small Firms Bring CNC Manufacturing In-House

Middletown – September 28, 2026 -- Makera is enabling small businesses and independent entrepreneurs to move precision CNC manufacturing from outsourced suppliers into their own workshops with its Carvera Air desktop machine, cutting costs and shortening production cycles for niche manufacturers.

Knifemaker adds complex components without losing handcrafted quality

Jesse Jarosz, founder of Jarosz Knives, integrated Carvera Air into his workflow to produce precision handle scales, backspacers and custom inlays that traditional manual methods could not efficiently achieve. The desktop CNC allowed his small-batch knife business to scale design complexity while preserving craftsmanship. "CNC gave me an opportunity to effectively add greater complexity to my knives in a way that was actually practical from a business standpoint," Jarosz said.