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Building a Practical Path to AI Readiness
AI gets talked about like it’s already running the factory floor. For most small and mid-sized manufacturers, that’s not reality. The promise is big—autonomous systems, seamless digital operations—but the day-to-day still looks a lot like it always has. What’s changed...
We Needed Automation to Reshore Our Supply Chain
IndustryWeek’s article “We Needed Automation to Reshore Our Supply Chain” describes how TAC Industries, a Springfield, Ohio-based manufacturer that produces cargo nets for the U.S. Air Force, used automation as the key lever to bring critical hardware sourcing back...
A New Class of Welders Is Ready to Step Into Rhode Island’s Manufacturing Workforce
On June 25, something meaningful happened at New England Institute of Technology. A group of graduates walked across the stage—not just to mark the end of a program, but to make a step toward entirely new careers. They’re the latest cohort from the Polaris/NEIT...
New AI Model Shows How to Evacuate for Fires One Safe Step at a Time
"Are your evacuation drills a herd of people all headed to the front door because that's closest to the muster point, or do they reflect the chaos that will accompany a real event?" - Ken Hayes, Polaris MEP Project Manager The National Safety Month spotlight on...
R.I.’s manufacturing sector braces for owner exits
Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector is facing a pivotal moment—one that will shape the future of the industry for decades to come. A recent Providence Business News article highlights a pressing reality: nearly 80% of the state’s manufacturers are approaching...
Why Modern Supply Chains Can’t Rely on Efficiency Alone
Materials Handling & Logistics’ article “Resilient by Design: Why Modern Supply Chains Can’t Rely on Efficiency Alone,” by George Ninikas, argues that cost-optimized networks on paper often break down when real-world conditions change. Ninikas, senior vice...
Collaboration in Action: Highlights from North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum
Collaboration in Action: Highlights from North Kingstown's Manufacturers' Forum Manufacturers from across North Kingstown gathered on May 13, 2026, for a dynamic and solutions-focused conversation at the North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum, hosted by Polaris MEP in...
Rhode Island Manufacturers: Claim Tariff Refunds—But Stay Alert to Scams
Rhode Island Manufacturers: Claim Tariff Refunds—But Stay Alert to Scams Rhode Island’s manufacturing community—made up largely of small and mid-sized businesses—is no stranger to navigating rising costs and global trade challenges. Now, there’s a potential...
Let Polaris MEP Help You with Registered Apprenticeships
Let Polaris MEP Help You with Registered Apprenticeships In recognition of last week's National Apprenticeship Week, Polaris MEP is excited to spotlight new opportunities for manufacturers to strengthen their workforce through Registered Apprenticeships. With...
The Importance of Apprenticeships
The Importance of Apprenticeships In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, one challenge continues to rise above the rest: the growing skills gap. As experienced workers retire and technology reshapes production floors, manufacturers are searching for...
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