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Moser Testifies at House Small Business Committee Hearing on Domestic Manufacturing 

Harry Moser recently testified before the House Small Business Committee at its Hearing on Domestic Manufacturing, emphasizing the need to strengthen U.S. competitiveness to accelerate reshoring. During the hearing, Harry identified high manufacturing costs, high healthcare costs, and shortages of skilled workers as the biggest barriers to domestic manufacturing growth. 

Harry and three other industry experts laid out a series of actionable recommendations—including not tariffing imports of capital equipment, reducing steel and aluminum tariffs and strengthening workforce development—to support continued reshoring momentum. As expected, the Republican Representatives generally supported, and the Democrats opposed the tariffs and the OBBB. The Reshoring Initiative urges President Trump to firm up and make “permanent” reasonable tariffs so that companies can invest based on the tariffs. 

Watch the full hearing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwO4uAIQV0k or read Harry’s testimony at https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118677/witnesses/HHRG-119-SM00-Wstate-MoserH-20251120.pdf. 

For more information, visit ReshoreNow.org.  

NSL Analytical Acquires Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions 

NSL Analytical Services, a leading accredited provider of analytical, mechanical, and metallurgical testing services, has acquired Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions. The addition of the Pleasant View, UT-based company adds a robust portfolio of environmental simulation testing capabilities to NSL’s family of quality assurance laboratories.    

Founded in 2005, Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions (RMTS) provides shock/vibration, temperature/humidity chamber, mechanical, HALT/HASS, and packaging testing services for the aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, and consumer products industries. RMTS emphasizes customer engagement and satisfaction. 

“The acquisition of RMTS marks an important step in NSL’s growth and evolution,” said Ron Wesel, NSL’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our trusted testing solutions and industry-best turnaround times have helped thousands of industry leaders across North America. We are excited to expand and support more companies in safeguarding and validating their products and materials. We are committed to continuing to enhance support for our clients by acquiring high-quality testing laboratories to expand our testing service offerings.” 

For more information on NSL Analytical Services, please visit nslanalytical.com.  

Advantive Appoints George as CEO 

Advantive, a leading provider of mission-critical software for specialty manufacturing and distribution businesses, announced that Duane George joins as Chief Executive Officer. 

Duane succeeds Kevin Boyce, who made the decision earlier this year to step down.  

With more than two decades of experience in manufacturing and enterprise software, Duane brings a proven record of advancing product strategy and innovation, accelerating growth, and strengthening customer outcomes. Most recently, he served as President of Aptean’s EMEA and APAC business, where he led meaningful transformation initiatives across global markets. Prior to that, as Chief Product Officer at Aptean, he oversaw global product strategy and development. 

“I’m honored to lead Advantive into its next chapter,” said Duane George, Chief Executive Officer of Advantive. “Our focus is clear: accelerate innovation, deliver deeper customer value, and continue building a world-class, product-led organization. I’m excited to build on our momentum and partner with our exceptional team to unlock the tremendous opportunities ahead.” 

Drawing on his experience scaling global software organizations, Duane will focus on advancing Advantive’s portfolio of industry-specific ERP, MES and SPC solutions leveraging AI to help manufacturers and distributors achieve their business goals. 

“On behalf of the Board, we thank Kevin for his leadership and are thrilled to welcome Duane to Advantive,” said Hythem El-Nazer, Co-Managing Partner at TA. “Having partnered with Duane at Aptean, I’ve seen firsthand his ability to align teams around a shared mission, scale global businesses, and deliver results. His deep understanding of the manufacturing software market and leadership experience make him exceptionally well-suited to guide Advantive's continued growth."  

“Duane is the right leader at the right time for Advantive,” added Mark Friedman, Chairman of the Board. "We are confident that his industry expertise, operational discipline, and track record of product innovation position the company perfectly for its next phase of growth." 

This leadership transition reinforces Advantive’s commitment to delivering software solutions that simplify complexity, streamline operations and drive long-term success for manufacturing and distribution customers worldwide. 

For more information, visit  advantive.com or ta.com. 

Accumold Achieves ISO 13485 Recertification 

Accumold announced that it has achieved successful ISO 13485 recertifiction, a globally recognized quality management standard for the medical device industry. This milestone reaffirms Accumold’s longstanding commitment to meeting the stringent quality, safety, and regulatory demands of the medical sector. 

ISO 13485 is more than a quality standard, it’s a benchmark of trust for medical device OEMs. It validates that Accumold consistently meets customer and regulatory requirements through a robust, risk-based quality management system. For customers, this recertification offers powerful reassurance that Accumold has the systems, processes, and expertise in place to deliver ultra-precise, reliable micro molded components for even the most demanding medical applications. 

“We work with the most exacting medical device companies in the world, and they rightly expect nothing less than absolute precision, traceability, and reliability,” says Roger Hargens, CEO of Accumold. “Our ISO 13485 recertification isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a reflection of how seriously we take our responsibility in the supply chain, and our commitment to patient safety and product performance.” 

From drug delivery devices and surgical tools to microfluidic components and implantables, the medical industry continues to push boundaries in miniaturization. Accumold’s micro molding expertise (backed by in-house tooling, cleanroom production, and advanced metrology) enables it to meet this challenge with confidence. 

What sets Accumold apart is its vertically integrated model. By controlling every stage of production, from mold design to packaging, within ISO 13485-certified systems, the company can optimize every process for performance, consistency, and compliance. This level of control not only reduces risk but also shortens development timelines and ensures scalability from early-stage prototyping through to high-volume manufacturing. 

“As the demand for micro-sized medical components grows, so does the need for supply chain partners that don’t just promise quality, but prove it,” adds Hargens. “This recertification is a clear signal to our customers that we’re invested in maintaining the highest standards, today and into the future.” 

For more information, visit www.accu-mold.com.  

September 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $222M, Up 14.7% From September 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 $222 million in September 2025. Orders increased 5.3% from August 2025 and 14.7% from September 2024. Year-to-date shipments totaled $1.88 billion, down 1.1% from the same period in 2024. 

“Most users remain concerned about their backlog, future orders, and inventory, especially for the transportation sectors of manufacturing,” said Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group and president of Big Daishowa, a cutting tool manufacturer. “For September, cutting tool deliveries were normal, and some optimism that unstable business conditions may be improving was tempered by the higher cost of products and lower profitability. Unit prices for most cutting tools are up by double digits due to price hikes caused by tariffs and increased costs for raw materials. I don’t expect to see any improvements in the fourth quarter.” 

Michelle Kocses, senior economist at ITR Economics, said: “Cutting tool orders for September came in 14.7% above September 2024. Even more encouraging is that the third quarter, as a whole, surpassed the third quarter of 2024, suggesting that this budding positive momentum is not a one-month fluke. Buttressing this rise, U.S. industrial production is in an accelerating growth trend. Capex is beginning to pick up as confidence gradually improves, but there are soft spots in oil and gas drilling and heavy truck markets. Forward-looking evidence points to measured optimism for 2026.” 

For more information, visit amtonline.org. 

Intellect Acquires Zaptic 

Intellect, a leading provider of AI-powered Quality Management System (QMS) software, announced the acquisition of Zaptic, a UK-based Connected Frontline Worker (CFW) platform that empowers manufacturing and operations teams through AI-enabled workflows. 

The acquisition marks a significant step in Intellect’s global growth strategy, expanding its capabilities across process and discrete manufacturing while uniting quality, safety, and operations into a single intelligent ecosystem that closes the loop between planning and execution. This integration transforms the way manufacturers drive compliance, performance, and operational efficiency across frontline operations. 

Founded in Manchester, UK, Zaptic is recognized for digitizing complex frontline processes, from production checks to continuous improvement programs, helping manufacturers, such as Berry and Asahi enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance. Combined with Intellect’s AI-powered QMS, the two platforms connect quality and compliance data with operational execution, providing an end-to-end view of performance excellence. 

“Our goal has always been to transform how quality and operations teams work together. With Zaptic, we’re not just expanding our technology, we’re uniting people, processes, and AI to deliver faster insights and stronger compliance across manufacturing,” said Heather Preu, CEO of Intellect. 

Through this acquisition, Intellect will also introduce Connected Frontline Worker capabilities to its U.S. customer base, enabling manufacturers to extend quality and operational excellence to the plant floor. The combined solution will empower frontline teams to collaborate through AI-driven workflows, providing real-time visibility from the factory floor to enterprise-level decision-making. 

This approach reflects recent insights from Constellation Research, whose report “Big Idea: Augmenting and Accelerating Frontline Productivity” (October 31, 2025), by R “Ray” Wang, notes that: 

“Most software-as-a-service (SaaS) AI systems cannot deliver on advanced AI capabilities such as AI-led troubleshooting, hyper-care, and resource optimization due to a lack of context. In the customer support world, systems that support frontline worker productivity must have access to customer data, configuration settings, and standard operating procedure (SOP) documents. Access to internal intellectual property, best practices, and the organization’s business and knowledge graphs is essential to delivering relevancy on the front lines for AI natives and AI exponentials.” 

By combining Intellect’s AI-powered QMS and Zaptic’s frontline operations platform, the company aims to bridge this gap — connecting quality, compliance, and operational context to deliver measurable ROI and faster value realization for manufacturers across every plant and production line.  

“This acquisition marks the start of the next era in connected operations – where compliance and quality are enabled through one performance driving system designed around people, enabled with AI. Intellect brings the global scale and resources to accelerate our vision and massively expand the impact we can have across industries worldwide," said Richard Milnes, CEO of Zaptic. 

As part of the acquisition, Zaptic’s team will continue to operate from the UK, strengthening Intellect’s presence in Europe and supporting global customers with localized expertise and implementation services. 

Intellect is backed by Strattam Capital, a private equity firm that invests in founder-led, independent B2B software technology companies. Strattam first invested in Intellect in 2022 to accelerate the company’s growth and innovation in AI-powered Quality Management solutions. With offices in Austin and San Francisco, Strattam connects companies with the people, processes, and scale needed to reach their potential. This investment has enabled Intellect to expand its platform capabilities, strengthen its presence in regulated industries, and scale operations to meet the growing global demand for digital transformation in manufacturing and life sciences. 

For more information, visit www.intellect.com or https://www.zaptic.com. 

Angstrom Scientific Partners with ConnectomX to Distribute Katana in-situ SEM microtome in US 

Angstrom Scientific, a leading provider of advanced microscopy and materials analysis solutions across North America, announced its new U.S. distribution agreement with ConnectomX, a volume electron microscopy company. This partnership will bring ConnectomX's imaging solutions to U.S. researchers and industries, enhancing capabilities in 3D imaging and analysis. 

ConnectomX's flagship product, the Katana Microtome, is a universal, plug-and-play ultramicrotome that seamlessly integrates with any scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a stage-to-pole piece distance greater than 56 mm. This compatibility encompasses 99% of contemporary field emission gun (FEG) SEMs, including models from JEOL, TESCAN, ThermoFisher, ZEISS, and others. The Katana Microtome enables high-resolution 3D imaging by serially sectioning specimens and imaging each layer, facilitating detailed volumetric reconstructions. 

Through this partnership, Angstrom Scientific will provide U.S. customers with access to ConnectomX's cutting-edge imaging solutions, backed by local support and expertise. The collaboration aims to advance research in various fields, including materials science, biology, and nanotechnology, by offering enhanced imaging capabilities that were previously limited by traditional SEM technologies. 

"We are thrilled to partner with ConnectomX and introduce their groundbreaking volume electron microscopy solutions to the U.S. market," said Bob Sommerville, CEO at Angstrom Scientific. "The Katana Microtome represents a significant advancement in imaging technology, and we are excited to support researchers and industries in harnessing its full potential." 

Cheng Cheng, CEO of ConnectomX, added, "Partnering with Angstrom Scientific allows us to expand our reach and support U.S. customers with our innovative imaging solutions. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and industrial applications." 

For more information, visit angstrom.us. 

Southern Metro Welcomes Manufacturing  

By Quality Staff 

If you’ve been noticing a lot of interest in manufacturing in the South, you’re onto something.  

Manufacturing momentum in the South looks promising. A recent Oxford Economics report, “Made in America—Investments Favor Southern Metros” (September 2025), states that “Decision-makers tend to favor the South for new construction due to tax incentives and lower regulations.” 

Quality spoke to Barbara Denham of Oxford Economics about the report. Denham says she wasn’t surprised by the data in the report since she’d been studying it for a while. She noted that several industries were experiencing strong growth, particularly in batteries and electric vehicles.  

The report states, “Austin (Tesla), Spartanburg (BMW), San Antonio (Toyota), Lansing (GM), and Tennessee (Ford's Blue Oval) are just a few metros seeing new EV or other auto manufacturing construction. Ford’s new battery plant in Glendale, KY, along with similar projects across the Southeast, has led to the region being dubbed “the battery belt.” 

Denham agrees.  

“Nashville is way ahead of a lot of places,” she said. “Everybody wants to be the in the South. The Rust Belt is primed for new manufacturing but not seeing it like other parts of the country.” 

As the report states, “In battery manufacturing, Nashville and Albany have seen rapid growth since 2019, albeit from a relatively low base. In EV and auto manufacturing, Chattanooga—home to Volkswagen and its all-electric ID.4—has seen strong growth.” 

One of those electric vehicle plants is located in Canton, MS.  

Victor Taylor is the vice president of manufacturing at the award-winning Nissan Canton vehicle assembly plant with more than 20 years of engineering and manufacturing expertise. He's also written for Quality about his EV journey. 

Quality spoke with Taylor to discuss his work in EV manufacturing: What’s Driving Manufacturing at Nissan Canton 

To meet more manufacturing leaders, quality professionals can head to Nashville next March. The inaugural Manufacturing & Automation Exchange (MAX) will take place March 25-26. For more information, visit https://themaxevent.com.  

X-Rite to Acquire Select Assets of Rutherford Graphic Products (RGP) 

X-Rite Incorporated announced it has signed a definitive Assets Purchase Agreement to acquire certain software and firmware assets of Rutherford Graphic Products (RGP), LLC (USA), a U.S.-based provider of closed-loop press automation solutions for packaging converters. 

For years, RGP has partnered with X-Rite to deliver scanning automation technology that enables converters to upgrade their printing presses with cost-effective solutions, reducing paper waste, automating color control, and minimizing press downtime. This acquisition formalizes the partnership and positions X-Rite to deliver a fully integrated, best-of-suite press automation offering. 

As eCommerce and brand expectations drive shorter, more frequent production runs, converters face increasing pressure to reduce time-to-market and maximize press uptime. Integrating RGP's closed-loop technology with X-Rite's scanning solutions provides converters with: 

• Faster job turnover through automated color control and reduced manual intervention. 
• Lower operational costs by extending the life of existing presses and reducing waste. 
• Streamlined workflows supported by a unified team and seamless technology integration. 

"By bringing the Rutherford products into the X-Rite family, we're delivering a smarter, more connected press automation solution that directly addresses the evolving needs of packaging converters," said Jeff McKee, President of X-Rite. "This acquisition allows us to serve our customers with greater efficiency, reliability, and innovation, helping them stay competitive in a fast-changing market." 

This acquisition enables X-Rite to deliver a fully integrated press automation solution for packaging converters. As the industry faces increasing pressure from shorter production cycles, rising eCommerce demands, and an aging workforce, investing in a connected and automated workflow is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. 

"We're excited to officially join X-Rite and continue building on the strong foundation we've created together," said Jay Rutherford, owner of Rutherford Graphic Products. "Our shared commitment to innovation and customer success will drive the next generation of press automation." 

For more information, visit www.xrite.com.