Manufacturing CEO redefining growth to his partner in a suit on the factory floor

Beyond The Plant: How Manufacturing CEOs Are Redefining Growth

Manufacturing growth in the United States is no longer determined by how well a plant runs. The ceiling for many manufacturers is being set years earlier, often in capital planning meetings, site selection decisions, and technology roadmaps that never touch the shop floor.  This shift has changed how manufacturing CEOs are evaluated. Strong...

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Man in a suit sitting on a desk with paper in hand talking about the future of technical sales teams

The Future of Technical Sales Teams: Smaller, Smarter, and Consultative

Technical sales is evolving beyond a traditional quota-driven function. Buyers now research deeply before ever engaging a rep, and technology is reshaping not just how sales get done but who does it and with what skills. For technical sales managers, business leaders, and heads of sales teams, grasping the shifts underway isn’t optional. It determines competitiveness and...

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Two men at table across from another man discussing when and why to hire an executive search firm

When (and Why) to Hire an Executive Search Firm

Hiring the right leader at the right time can make or break a company. Yet many organizations struggle to find that perfect executive candidate, especially in a 2026 hiring landscape marked by talent shortages, tighter budgets, and fierce competition for strategic leadership.  That’s where an executive search firm can be a game-changer.  In this piece, we’ll break down exactly when you should consider hiring an...

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COO Executive Recruitment standing in front of a dark shadowy maze

COO Executive Recruitment: Handling the Modern Supply Chain Maze

Compared to a decade ago, the manufacturing industry has taken on a whole new look. Digital transformation, geopolitical complexity, and customer expectations have rewritten the playbook for operational leadership. If your organization wants to thrive, securing top talent through chief operating officer (COO) executive recruitment isn’t optional, it’s strategic insurance for your supply chain future.  But here’s the nuance: today’s...

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Magnifying glass hovering over wood blocks with people icons for Retained vs Contingency Search

Executive Hiring 101: Retained vs. Contingency Search Models

When your organization is ready to bring in top-level talent, especially leadership or other critical roles, the method you use to search can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll dive into retained vs contingency search; what each means, when they work best, and how to decide which fits your hiring needs.   Whether you’re a growing firm scaling...

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Factory floor with various tables and racks being prepared for Manufacturing M&A activity

2026 U.S. Manufacturing M&A: The Deals, Trends, and What Comes Next 

If you’ve been following business headlines recently, one thing is clear: M&A activity in the U.S. is alive and it’s accelerating, especially within the manufacturing sector.  From strategic acquisitions by industrial giants to transformative mergers between leading producers of critical equipment, 2025 laid the groundwork for what could be the biggest year yet for U.S. manufacturing deals...

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2 business man talking about executive recruiting strategies in 2026

How to Build Effective Executive Recruiting Strategies in 2026

Hiring executives in 2026 can feel weirdly hard.  There are still a lot of open jobs, but fewer people are confidently jumping to a new company. For example, the U.S. government’s JOLTS report for October 2025 showed 7.7 million job openings, about 5.1 million hires, and a 1.8% quits rate. These are signs that many workers (including...

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Man sitting at a desk, looking out the window on his executive search

What Is Executive Search? A Complete Guide for Growing Organizations 

If your organization is growing fast, chances are you’ve already felt the pressure of trying to hire the right leaders. The ones who can guide teams, build systems, scale operations, and turn strategy into actual results.  And if you’ve ever posted a leadership role online (VP, Director, C-suite), you’ve likely noticed something: traditional recruiting doesn’t work at the executive level.  That’s where executive search comes...

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Transformational leadership being shown to team through Manufacturing Executive Search

Transformational Leadership Through Manufacturing Executive Search

Have you ever wondered how manufacturing companies find leaders who are able to help elevate their company to the next level even in the midst of chaos? Today, manufacturing companies face intense pressure to innovate, digitize, and strengthen operational resilience, while attracting top talent in an increasingly competitive hiring market. To...

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