Maintenance, a big move and a leap of faith: May 2026 in review
Wrench, screwdriver, AI assistant?
May was maintenance month at PMM, with several features focused on how the work of keeping machines in operation is evolving, especially in the face of technological advancements and workforce shifts. Our coverage included:
How artificial intelligence is redefining maintenance procedures.
Don’t just “run it till it breaks;” learn how to predict problems before they start.
OEMs bring their expertise directly to your plant floor.
How to assess whether to repair, retrofit or replace your equipment.
Five tips to get started with new protocols.
Proper maintenance of your tooling can become a competitive advantage.
And in his monthly column, Ron Shinn says maintenance is an easy first step toward integrating AI in your shop.
Brett Greenhalgh takes a leap of faith
I recommend senior reporter Karen Hanna's interview with Brett Greenhalgh of KraussMaffei about his career and why he's leaving it behind to go on a three-year mission to Germany for his church. I especially love his response to our perennial final question of “what would you like to be your legacy?”
Economic waters still rough for plastics industry
Shipments of injection molding and extrusion equipment in North America dropped in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Committee on Equipment Statistics, with extruders being hit particularly hard.
Perc Pineda, PLASTICS’ chief economist, said the reversal was likely affected by businesses adjusting their pricing contracts to reflect higher tariff costs as 2026 began.
In a separate analysis, Pineda said tariff policies led to a drop in trade in 2025. Engel Group reported a decline in revenue for the financial year. But robot orders in the plastics and rubber sector jumped in the first quarter of 2026.
Machinery on the move
The rooms in my house aren’t very big, so just the thought of rearranging furniture is stressful.
So I was impressed by the planning and logistics that went into Rosti’s reconfiguring of a shop, including moving 15 injection molding machines, to make space for a clean room — all without interrupting production. Find out how the company made it happen with specialists’ help.
In the news
Stratasys will acquire Markforged from Nano Dimension, the latest move in the additive manufacturing market.
ANTEC, the signature technical education event for SPE, will be integrated with NPE2026.
Windmoeller & Hoelscher opened its facility expansion in Lincoln, R.I.
Catch up with personnel moves at Davis-Standard, Rapid Granulator, BMG, the Exhibitor Advisory Board for K 2028, Next Generation Group and Maxcess.
About the Author
Lynne Sherwin
Managing Editor
Managing editor Lynne Sherwin handles day-to-day operations and coordinates production of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing’s print magazine, website and social media presence, as well as Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She also writes features, including the annual machinery buying survey. She has more than 30 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.