Southwest Manufacturing News • February 2026

S W SW SOUTHWEST M ANUFACTURING N EWS Serving Since 1965 Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana & New Mexico Feature Editorial Software 3D Machining Engine Vol. 61 No. 2 February 2026 See Online DIGITAL EDITIONS at www.mfgnewsweb.com Fort Worth is Booming The MFG Meeting 2026 Taking Place March 10-12 Manufacturing technology execu-tives from across the industry will gather in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for The MFG Meeting on March 10-12, 2026. Held by AMT–The Association For Manufactur-ing Technology, this annual meeting fo-cuses on the technology trends driving modern manufacturing and rapid prod-uct evolution, and how manufacturing leaders can adapt. It also offers attendees a unique networking opportunity to build their social capital and connect with hundreds of peers in one place. The MFG 2026 program includes Continued on Page 46 Solution offers faster toolpath generation and improved surface quality. See Page 6 EDM Precision Made Practical EDM offers precision, reliability. See Page 18 An F-35 during the build process on the factory floor. (Photo credit: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company/Photo by Angel DelCueto) Fort Worth, TX, is leading the way in advanced manufacturing, with compa-nies spearheading next-generation proj-ects. These include Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division, Bell Textron’s Man-ufacturing Technology Center, Siemens’ tech manufacturing facility, and MP Ma-terials’ manufacturing facility. Fort Worth is consistently recognized among the nation’s fastest-growing re-gions and now ranks as the 10th largest city in the U.S. Several factors contribute to this robust growth: easy access to DFW International Airport and Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport; a skilled and growing workforce; and a business-friendly environment. With a central U.S. Continued on Page 45 The Nearshore Company Partners with CARMI Logistics The Nearshore Company (TNC), a nearshore development firm, has an-nounced a partnership with CARMI Lo-gistics that unites the services of both companies into a comprehensive solu-tion for cross-border manufacturing and transport. CARMI’s transportation and customs clearance services complement TNC’s turn-key manufacturing services operations to provide broader coverage and total integration throughout the U.S.-Mexico supply line. TNC, which is based out of Brownsville, TX, was founded in 1992 to deliver qualified staff, facilities, and Continued on Page 46 Applying Technology Sustainable Machining The role of toolholding in profitable operations. See Page 24 Northrop Grumman Opens Access to U.S. Semiconductor Facilities Northrop Grumman’s Microelectron-ics Centers are now open for external aero-space and defense companies to access the company’s three U.S. government-accred-ited semiconductor manufacturing facili-ties. This decision expands the secure production of defense microelectronics on U.S. soil. The open-access business model al-lows: • External entities, including commercial businesses, aerospace and defense com-panies, the U.S. Government, academia, federally funded research and develop-ment centers, and others, to design, manufacture, package, and test micro-electronics domestically for commercial and defense applications. • Access to end-to-end U.S.-based ad-Saws Synchronized Storage/Sawing Northrop Grumman’s microchips serve dual-use purposes, supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and commercial applications at scale. US Metalworking Machinery Orders Surge 40% Year-Over-Year in October New orders of metalworking ma-chinery, measured by the U.S. Manu-facturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT–The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $538.9 million in October 2025. This was a 9% increase from September 2025 and a 40.3% increase from October 2024. Machinery orders tracked by USMTO through October 2025 totaled Continued on Page 46 Solution is a vital factor for success. See Page 28 vanced packaging facilities with reliable Continued on Page 46 Special Application Machinery Copper Electrode Production HSC tools are specially developed for copper machining. See Page 38 Subscription Changes: To make name, address subscription changes contact: • Phone: 800-375-8488 • Fax: 817-488-7813 • E-mail: info@mfgnewsweb.com • www.mfgnewsweb.com CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Gross Publications, Inc. SOUTHWEST MANUFACTURING NEWS P.O. Box 847 Grapevine, Texas 76099-0847 U.S.A. DALLAS, TX PERMIT 4245 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE People in the News Page 36 Advertiser Index Page 35 PAID