Supply Chains Aren’t ALL Doom and Gloom…

NPA Insights, September 2026

Hi all!

The surge in clean energy factory demand is creating a hidden supply‑chain risk: rapid clustering and deeper domestic supply chains are absorbing critical items (transformers, switchgear, electrical steel), specialized logistics, and trained workers, leaving less available for new projects. This drives big price hikes and longer lead times, risking project delays and higher costs.

To manage this, companies should lock in long-term utility and offtake agreements and secure multi-year supply contracts, while diversifying suppliers and regions, raising safety stock for critical components, and pursuing component recovery or reuse where feasible.

With few suppliers, slow infrastructure expansion, and complex logistics, supply‑chain exposure is growing. Adding ecosystem‑focused controls to procurement, site selection, and project planning now can reduce shocks and keep manufacturing on schedule.

The State of Manufacturing

The U.S. manufacturing sector grew for the eighth consecutive month in August, following a 10-month downturn. The index registered 54.6%, a decline of 1 percentage point from July.

The New Orders Index expanded for the eighth consecutive month after four months of contraction, registering 53.7%; down 3 percentage points from July’s 56.7%.

The Production Index eased slightly to 58.3% in August, 0.2 percentage point below July’s 58.5%.

Supply chain leaders are facing an era of relentless disruption, but many are now harnessing AI, connected data, and enhanced visibility to build resilience.

Blue Yonder surveyed supply chain professionals and found a clear trend: organizations using advanced technology are 10X more likely to feel fully prepared for major disruptions. Leaders report moderate optimism linked to better risk anticipation and faster decision-making enabled by predictive and agentic AI.

But technology alone isn’t enough. Successful supply chains combine smart tools with strong change management, employee empowerment, and clear priorities. Teams that are freed from routine tasks can focus on higher-value decisions, while transparent leadership helps maintain morale amid uncertainty.

Despite ongoing geopolitical and transport challenges, companies have diversified suppliers across multiple regions and benefit from near real-time data sharing, enabling faster pivots when disruptions strike.

The message is clear: leaders have the tools and insights to navigate complexity, but must invest strategically in tech, workforce training, and collaboration to turn optimism into lasting resilience before the next disruption hits.

While some of the world was on holiday in August, Boston startups were hard at work...

Boston-based InduPro, Inc. raised $77 million in Series B funding to continue its work studying membrane protein arrangements to create new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Teragen Energy, a Boston fuel cell company that builds modular power systems for data centers, industrial sites, and utilities closed a $6 million pre-seed round. The funding will help Teragen move its fuel cell technology from prototypes to its first commercial pilot projects.

Reservoir, the creator of the first predictive water heater, raised $8 million in a seed round to help the company install more of its products in homes around the Boston area, its initial market. 

The I2SL Annual Conference is the world's leading international event focused on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainability in laboratories and other high-tech facilities. The 2026 conference will be held at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel, September 13-16.

International Conference on Operation and Supply Chain Management (ICOSCM) is an international gathering designed to advance global research and industrial innovation, discussing breakthrough findings and explore the latest emerging trends. This year’s event takes place on September 17 in Boston.

Boston AI Week exists to unify the entire AI ecosystem in a shared mission: to make artificial intelligence accessible, impactful, and inclusive for all. It will be held September 24 – October 2.

Startup Boston Week brings together thousands of attendees for 100+ free sessions, panels, and networking events spanning every stage of the startup journey — from idea to IPO. Check out the event on September 14-18 at BU and Downtown Crossing.

This year’s 9th Annual Robot Block Party is September 26 in the Seaport, with robot demonstrations and hands-on interactions with robots, games and more. Learn more here.

OUR MONTHLY SURVEY

With the growing number of tools and technology available to help mitigate the constant supply chain obstacles organizations continue to face, we want to hear from you:

Boston has an unusual orchestra made up entirely of...typewriters?

AlwaysOutOfTune

(Source: bostontypewriterorchestra.com)

The charge carried by a bolt of lightning is so intense that it has a temperature of 30,000°C (54,000°F) – that’s five times hotter than the surface of the Sun!

IsItHotInHere

(Source: BBC)

Robots participating in China's robot games ran the 100m faster than Usain Bolt – and then crashed into a padded wall.

Can'tStopWon'tStop

(Source: The Guardian)

Cheers,

Jurgen

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