World's Largest Plane; Ford Trade Fraud; Unilever Cuts 7,500 | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 162

Also on the podcast, Boeing tells airlines to check pilot seats, Sanders pushes 32-hour workweek, Walmart partners with 3D weaving startup, AI spots sick tulips and Figure's factory robot is already having conversations with humans.

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The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

This week's episode is brought to you by Auvesy-MDT. The Secrets of OT Data Management is an exclusive new video podcast for manufacturers looking to stay ahead of the curve in today's digital landscape. Join Auvesy-MDT's Dave McGovern and Jim Engelhart, along with our Jeff Reinke, as they unveil the secrets of data management for manufacturers. Learn effective OT data management control, cybersecurity, implementation short-cuts, and more. Watch it now.

Every week, we cover the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week: 

Sanders Wants the U.S. to Adopt 32-Hour Workweek - @4:58

Sen. Bernie Sanders this week introduced a bill that would shorten the standard work week to 32 hours.

Unilever to Cut 7,500 Jobs - @19:00

Unilever, a company of 400 brands, is trying to cut costs and boost profits, so on Tuesday it announced 7,500 job cuts. The company will also spin off its ice cream business, which includes Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Boeing Tells Airlines to Check Pilot Seats After Report That Accidental Shift Led Plane to Plunge - @31:50

This week the planemaker is telling airlines to inspect switches on pilots' seats on the 787 Dreamliner.

Ford Pays $365 Million to Resolve Trade Fraud Allegations - @47:19

Ford last week agreed to pay the U.S. government $365 million to resolve allegations of Tariff Act violations, it is one of the largest customs penalties in recent history.

Can the World’s Largest Plane Save Wind Power? - @1:00:19

The WindRunner could bring huge offshore turbine blades to onshore sites that could help construct wind power installations that reach 300 feet higher than the average.

In Case You Missed It

Figure’s OpenAI-Powered Robot Is Already Having Conversations - @1:11:20

About three weeks ago Figure, a robotics company, and OpenAI, which made ChatGPT announced a partnership to essentially upgrade humanoid robots with AI brains.

Walmart Partners with 3D Weaving Startup for Sustainable Garment Manufacturing - @1:22:18

The companies hope to shift more textile manufacturing back to the U.S.

AI Robot Spots Sick Tulips - @1:27:55

It kills diseased bulbs to prevent the spread of the virus.

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