Good morning! Data is playing a larger and larger role in manufacturing as equipment gets smarter. If you don't take advantage of its promise, your company could be left behind. Are you hiring the right workers for your future? Read our February cover story below.

Another mainstay of the higher-tech factory is automation, but sales of robots and other equipment remained essentially flat in 2024, A3 reports.

We have a new nozzle series from Günther, and Nordson has a new regional sales manager. Our colleagues at Contractor take a look at the potential impact of steel and aluminum tariffs.

Last weekend, a municipal recycling education effort won a national award from Keep America Beautiful. If you missed our podcast about the program, check it out.

Lynne Sherwin, managing editor