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Amtivo Appoints Daugharthy President of U.S. Operations 

Amtivo, a leading global provider of certification and assurance services, announced the appointment of Randy Daugharthy as president of Amtivo’s operations in the United States, effective immediately. Randy will also join the Amtivo Executive Team, reflecting the strategic importance of the U.S. market to the Group’s continued growth.  

Randy joins Amtivo from Performance Review Institute (PRI), where, as Managing Director, he successfully grew the certification business from $3 million to $21 million, delivering significant expansion through a combination of organic growth and targeted acquisitions. With more than 25 years’ experience in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector, Randy brings deep expertise in certification, business development and operational leadership. His career also includes senior leadership roles at Bureau Veritas, where he served as President and CEO of the certification business in North America.  

Amtivo’s U.S. operations now trade as Amtivo (USA) Inc., following the successful acquisition and integration of a number of respected certification brands across the United States. These acquisitions form a strong national platform, combining local expertise with the scale, systems and investment of a global group.  

Randy Daugharthy said, “I am excited to be joining Amtivo at such an important point in its journey. The Group has built an impressive portfolio of certification businesses in the U.S., underpinned by a clear strategy, strong values and a genuine commitment to customers and people. I look forward to working with the team to build on this foundation, accelerate growth and deliver exceptional service to our clients.”  

He continued, “Amtivo’s ambition, combined with its collaborative culture and focus on quality, is what attracted me to the business. I am looking forward to partnering closely with Caroline, Nick and the wider leadership team as we continue to grow Amtivo’s presence and impact across the United States.”  

For more information, visit https://amtivo.com/. 

Prophesee Appoints Ferré CEO 

Prophesee announced the appointment of Jean Ferré as Chief Executive Officer. He has been designated by the board to succeed Luca Verre, Prophesee’s co-founder and former CEO, who is leaving the company. 

This leadership transition comes as the company enters a new phase of commercialization and growth, building on a strong technological and organizational foundation and welcoming new investors. The company is sharpening its near-term focus on sectors with high value use cases demonstrating the strongest demand and adoption momentum such as security, defense and aerospace, as well as industrial automation. Prophesee will continue to support volume vision-enabled applications markets where it has achieved initial commercial success such as IoT, AR/VR, consumer electronics. 

Ferré brings 30 years of international experience in product marketing, business strategy and data-driven growth across cloud, data, electronics, and enterprise software. He has held leadership & P&L roles at major companies — including Microsoft and Thales — and co-founded and was CEO of Sinequa who pioneered generative-AI applications for manufacturing and healthcare. He brings a strong experience in deep tech product market fit as well as in ecosystem and strategic partnerships development. He holds a Master of Science from the Paris-based École Polytechnique, as well as from Les Mines Paris Tech. 

As CEO, Ferré targets a refined, product-centric, customer-oriented strategy based on the company’s proven Metavision® platform, positioning Prophesee AI-powered sensing solutions for high growth market requirements. The company product focus is on application areas where Prophesee’s event-based vision technology has already proven immediate and measurable value, in use cases where Prophesee’s AI-enabled event-based vision’s advantages such as ultra-low latency, high dynamic range, and power efficiency are critical and can be combined with existing industry solutions. 

Ferre’s background, which includes building AI solutions for industrial companies and unmanned traffic management cloud-based platforms, will be especially important as the company's fast growing opportunities include industrial automation, defense, aerospace and security markets. Prophesee’s sensing solutions have already demonstrated superior performance in applications such as drone detection and tracking systems, surveillance, situational awareness, and real-time industrial monitoring, high speed counting, preventative maintenance and robot control. In those use cases, Prophesee addresses fundamental limitations faced by conventional frame-based vision systems. 

“Prophesee has an extraordinary technology and a differentiated position in the vision ecosystem,” said Ferré, “I am honored to take over from Luca, and to build on the work of the whole team and co-founders. The hard part of industrializing the science and developing the ecosystem is done, and the company can now enter into its next phase which includes high value vertical applications, and scaling AI where our sensors bring unique datasets to train next generation models. Together with our ecosystem of partners, our focus will be to deliver integrated sensor, software, and machine-learning solutions that address government and business critical needs in high-impact vertical markets such as drone detection, robot and industry edge cases. We will pursue our long-term innovation roadmap that includes applications in science, health and consumer applications.” 

For more information, visit www.prophesee.ai.

October 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $250.1M, Up 14.7% From October 2024 

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $250.1 million in October 2025. Orders increased 12.7% from September 2025 and 14.7% from October 2024. Year-to-date shipments trended positively for the first time this year and totaled $2.13 billion, up 0.6% from the same period in 2024. 

“The latest three-month trend is looking more promising, but our industry is still flat to down over the past year,” said Mike Stokey, president of USCTI. “I believe our industry is cautiously optimistic that 2026 will be slightly better than 2025. Obviously, that could change quickly based on any changes to economic policies.” 

Costikyan Jarvis, president of Jarvis Cutting Tools, said, “The very strong October 2025 results are likely the result of several one-time factors driving demand rather than a new baseline; however, the overall picture continues to show a slow rise in industrial output, with the promise of more growth in 2026. The year-to-date 2025 data versus 2024 data show a strengthening trend consistent with other economic indicators. This suggests that industrial manufacturing is looking at a much better 2026 than 2025.” 

For more information, visit amtonline.org. 

Hamar Laser Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract for Surface Plate Calibration System 

Hamar Laser Instruments, Inc., a leader in laser alignment and calibration systems, announced that the U.S. Air Force Metrology & Calibration Office (AFMETCAL) in Heath, Ohio awarded the company a multi-year contract for its L-703SP Surface Plate Calibration System on August 22. 

Under the U.S. Air Force contract, valued at more than $2.6 million, AFMETCAL anticipates acquiring up to 84 Hamar Laser L-703SP Surface Plate Calibration Systems over a four-year period for various Air Force bases and Air National Guard bases throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. 

“As a veteran-owned manufacturer, we are very proud to be supplying the L-703SP Surface Plate Calibration System to the Air Force’s metrology labs throughout the United States,” said Rod Hamar, president of Hamar Laser Instruments. “We have worked very hard to make this the best surface plate calibration system available in the marketplace and winning this contract speaks volumes to the success of our efforts.” 

“Our competition under AFMETCAL’s solicitation was electronic levels,” continued Hamar. “Electronic levels are the most widely used tool for surface plate calibration, but are slower, not as repeatable as our L-703SP and do not offer features like customized software, straightedges, measuring increments down to .38 in., and the corner locating tools that make our calibration process so easy. The U.S. Air Force staff rigorously evaluated and tested the L-703SP and, as this award demonstrates, they believe our geometry laser system is the superior choice.” 

Hamar Laser’s L-703SP Surface Plate Calibration System is a geometry, laser-based calibration system designed from the ground up to quickly check surface plate calibration. It is highly repeatable, with flexible measuring increments, extremely high resolution and accuracy, easy setup and training, and fast data collection. R&D and field testing have shown that the L-703SP significantly reduces the time for calibrating surface plates with conventional methods like electronic levels, autocollimators and laser interferometers.  

For more information, visit www.hamarlaser.com.  

Naprotek Appoints Filteau CEO 

Naprotek announced the appointment of Tim Filteau as its new Chief Executive Officer. This strategic leadership transition underscores the company’s commitment to blending proven expertise with bold innovation to shape the future of technology. 

Tim Filteau brings a distinguished track record of executive leadership, guiding organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and market expansion. His career spans decades of experience in technology, operations, and strategic development, making him uniquely positioned to lead Naprotek into its next chapter. 

 “Tim embodies the perfect balance of seasoned experience and forward-thinking vision,” said Chris Springer, Board Chair. “His leadership will accelerate Naprotek’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions while maintaining the trust and reliability our customers expect.” 

As CEO, Filteau will focus on expanding Naprotek’ s innovation pipeline, strengthening customer partnerships, and driving sustainable growth across global markets. His appointment signals a new era for the company, one where experience meets innovation to unlock transformative opportunities for businesses worldwide. 

Naprotek is also advancing a bold vision for electronics manufacturing services (EMS) within its product portfolio. While individual offerings may be evaluated alongside industry competitors, collectively they represent a truly unique and differentiated solution. This vision positions Naprotek not merely as a vendor, but as a strategic partner, committed to building long-term relationships and remaining the foundation of customers’ success strategies. 

As part of this vision, SemiGen’s RF microwave assembly services, thin film, and semiconductor products further distinguish their portfolio. SemiGen’s specialized expertise enhances Naprotek’s EMS capabilities, delivering advanced solutions that stand apart in the marketplace. By integrating SemiGen’s precision manufacturing and innovation-driven approach, Naprotek strengthens its ability to provide customers with cutting-edge technologies while reinforcing its role as a trusted strategic partner. 

“I am grateful to lead Naprotek through this next chapter of change,” said Tim Filteau. “By driving innovation and leveraging our deep industry experience, we are committed to helping our customers thrive in a rapidly evolving RF and digital landscape.” 

For more information, visit www.naprotek.com. 

Department of Commerce Announces Transition of Baldrige Performance Excellence Program 

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized agreements with the  Alliance for Performance Excellence and the Baldrige Foundation to transfer most operational responsibilities of the Baldrige Program to the two private-sector organizations. The partnership will ensure the continued success of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, which helps U.S. organizations achieve and sustain high-quality performance excellence and long-term success. 

“The Baldrige Program has helped thousands of organizations improve their operations and outcomes, bringing better products and services to millions of Americans,” said NIST Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Director Bob Fangmeyer. “This new phase of our public-private partnership will allow us to access more resources, scale more quickly and provide an even stronger platform to encourage performance excellence and organizational resilience.” 

Since its establishment in 1988, the Baldrige Program has partnered with the public and private sectors to improve U.S. competitiveness and quality of life by recognizing national role models with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; sharing best practices; and fostering the adoption of proven leadership, management and operational practices. The program has helped to improve thousands of manufacturing and service businesses, health care and education providers, governments and nonprofit organizations. 

In alignment with the administration’s efforts to reduce spending and streamline the federal government, the management and operations of the Baldrige Award process, Quest for Excellence conference, Baldrige Excellence Framework revisions, and Executive Fellows Program will be handed over to the alliance and foundation. 

“We are eager to expand our partnership with the Baldrige Program and collaborate with the Baldrige Foundation to improve and innovate these key offerings, expanding the reach and impact of the Baldrige mission,” said President and CEO of the Alliance for Performance Excellence Brian Lassiter. “Baldrige has improved the results and competitiveness of thousands of organizations and communities in the United States for nearly 40 years; this exciting new partnership will help us expand and accelerate that impact for the next 40.” 

“This transition represents one of the most important milestones in Baldrige’s history,” said President and CEO of the Baldrige Foundation Josh Racette. “By strengthening our public-private partnership, we are ensuring long-term stability while expanding our reach to more organizations, communities and leaders nationwide. For those who support the Baldrige mission, this is a bold, forward-looking step that preserves rigor, magnifies impact and guarantees that every investment in Baldrige will continue to shape both the pursuit of quality and excellence for generations to come.” 

NIST and the Department of Commerce will maintain ultimate responsibility for the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the Baldrige Award process and other requirements codified in 15 U.S.C. §3711a, as amended. The agreements reflect the partner organizations’ commitment to ensuring a successful transition that protects and sustains the rigor, integrity and value of the program’s key offerings. 

“We are proud of the positive impact the Baldrige Program has had on thousands of organizations and the millions of people those organizations serve,” said Fangmeyer. “We are grateful for the hard work and contributions from the individuals and organizations that have supported the Baldrige mission and look forward to their continued support in this exciting next chapter.” 

NIST will complete the 2025 award cycle, which is already in progress, and expects to announce award recipients in the coming weeks. 

For more information, visit https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/transition-baldrige-performance-excellence-program. 

Longtime Tech Exec Jennings Joins Artemis Vision Board of Advisors 

Artemis Vision of Denver, CO, a leader in custom machine vision solutions and track-and-trace systems, announced that John Jennings has joined its Board of Advisors.  

John brings over 40 years of experience in the technology field, most recently serving as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer at machine vision industry leader Basler. John will be focused on helping Artemis Vision further its growth, especially in the incoming/outgoing goods market with its groundbreaking RaPTr (Rapid Pallet Tracker) product for vision-based scan verification.  

John stated that he is very excited about the opportunity for RaPTr. "Artemis has some great technology in a fast-growing market that needs this type of product. RaPTr already has key customers established and I am eager to help provide some expertise and additional structure to help them further this growth." 

"We're thrilled to welcome John to our Advisory Board," said Tom Brennan, CEO of Artemis Vision. "His insights and experience will help us with a systematic approach for go-to-market strategies. I believe that John can help us get to the next level as a company and realize the promise that RaPTr holds for the tracking of incoming and outgoing goods. John will work with the executive team on company strategy, and help us to refine our sales methodology, broaden market channels, and structure our organizational capacity." 

For more information, visit https://www.artemisvision.com/.  

IACMI Launches ‘Make It In America’ National Outreach Campaign  

IACMI–The Composites Institute® (IACMI), announced the launch of ‘Make It In America’, a national outreach campaign to raise awareness of careers in advanced manufacturing and help fill the 3.8 million jobs needed by 2030.  

Leveraging IACMI’s two workforce development programs, America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) and Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL), the outreach campaign will educate emerging workers about available job opportunities and the critical role manufacturing plays both locally and globally.  

“The manufacturing industry is undergoing a revitalization that is opening up new and unprecedented career paths,” said Justin Brooks, IACMI Deputy Director of Workforce Development. “The campaign theme ‘Make It In America’ reflects both the tangible products made in manufacturing and the rewarding careers people can build for themselves.  

“We are committed to equipping individuals with the necessary training to start them on this path and thrive in today’s evolving manufacturing landscape. With this campaign, we’re on a mission to find the next generation of innovative makers across the United States who will create the solutions of tomorrow.” 

As part of the “Make It In America” initiative, IACMI will establish an annual award spotlighting rising stars shaping the future of America’s manufacturing workforce. The award will be open to any business that wants to recognize an employee who embodies a modern manufacturing mindset and a willingness to learn new skills. Winners of the award will be announced in the summer of 2026. 

Established in 2015 by the Department of Energy, IACMI today leads advanced composites innovation and novel workforce solutions through public and private partnerships to strengthen American manufacturing and national defense. IACMI, through an agreement with the Department of War, and funding through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, launched the ACE workforce development program in December 2020, focusing on educating students about the machine tool industry, specifically computer numerical control (CNC). Since then, the program has expanded to include training about composites, metrology, cybersecurity, and smart manufacturing. 

Following the success of ACE, METAL was launched in 2023 to support growth in the casting and forging industries. METAL provides internships, apprenticeship opportunities and direct training for quick on-ramps into the industry. Both programs are designed to directly address the urgent need to fill millions of open manufacturing jobs today and in the years to come. ACE and METAL are intended to help rebuild America’s manufacturing workforce and strengthen the supply chains critical to our nation’s competitiveness.  

ACE and METAL are free and offer an online learning platform plus an in-person, hands-on bootcamp. Since 2020, more than 5,000 have graduated from the programs. More than 50 universities, colleges, and training partners have joined this effort. 

For more information, visit makeit.org. 

Favorable Economic Outlook for 2026 Touted as Fed Cuts Rates 

After ploughing through an extended drought of official statistics because of the government shutdown, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point for the third consecutive meeting, landing at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. In announcing the policy change, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell relayed that their outlook for inflation and unemployment has remained largely unchanged since the October meeting. In what has become an easily anticipated vote since his appointment, Stephen Miran dissented in favor of a larger cut. This time, his dissent was joined by two additional members who favored no change to the policy rate. 

Members of the Federal Open Market Committee also compiled their quarterly summary of economic projections for this meeting. Forecasts for 2026 show a strong uptick in expected GDP growth, with the forecast rising to 2.3% compared to the 1.8% forecast in September. Inflation is expected to stay above the 2% target for the next few years, and the unemployment rate is expected to begin a slow downward trend after peaking at 4.5% in 2025. 

“Another voice in the chorus predicting an economic uptick in 2026 is a welcome refrain. Machinery orders have already begun to accelerate as we entered the last quarter of 2025 and continued growth as those machines hit shop floors should be a comforting signal for the cutting tool outlook in 2026,” said Christopher Chidzik, principal economist of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “Powell made sure to emphasize in the meeting that the quarter-point cut was not a foray into accommodative territory but simply a move toward the neutral rate. Yet the mounting number of dissents each meeting shows that the path forward is anything but certain as the Fed navigates into 2026 with growing tension between the two sides of their dual mandate.” 

For more information, visit amtonline.org. 

US Metalworking Machinery Orders Surge 40% Year-Over-Year in October 

New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing 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 $4.47 billion, a 19.7% increase over the first 10 months of 2024. 

Both the value and the number of units ordered in October were the highest since March 2023. It was the third month in 2025 to surpass $500 million in new machinery orders – the most since 2021, when six months saw investments above $500 million. Despite widespread fears about the economy, manufacturers continue to invest in metalworking machinery due to renewed tax incentives and sustained demand for manufactured goods from both consumers and government entities. 

• October orders from contract machine shops, the largest customer of manufacturing technology, were the largest since March 2023. Despite the high dollar value, the number of units ordered was the same as in September 2024 – but with a 13.2% lower order value. The trend of expanding average order values in this industry underscores the increased demand for automation at all levels of the supply chain. 
• October saw the highest order value from aerospace manufacturers since March 2025. This investment comes one month before the end of the government shutdown, which saw a significant number of Pentagon contract announcements, as well as the end of the Boeing defense workers’ strike.
• Manufacturers of engines, turbines, and other power transmission equipment also increased orders significantly in October, reaching their highest value since February 2023 and the highest number of units since March 2022. Continued demand for electricity from data centers is prompting additional investment in new generation capacity and extending the life of some coal-fired plants that were slated for decommission. 

While numerous experts have predicted a mild industrial downturn in 2026, opportunities remain for manufacturing technology providers in sectors that have been outperforming the overall economy.

For more information, visit amtonline.org.