Recent News

As I look back on 2025, one theme stands out more than any other: talent strategy and industrial strategy have never been more closely connected. What companies are building, the materials they’re securing, and the people they’re investing in are all part of the same story.

Across metals, materials, and manufacturing, businesses have spent the year navigating tariffs, interest rates, and broader economic uncertainty. But instead of pulling back, many chose a different approach — they looked for opportunity inside the disruption.

And that mindset has moved the entire industry forward.

A Shift Toward Resource Security

One of the most notable trends this year has been a deliberate, strategic effort to secure the materials that keep our industrial economy moving. Companies are:

• Putting greater emphasis on recycling and circular manufacturing
• Increasing inventories of copper, aluminum, steel, and rare earth elements
• Planning more aggressively around supply chains and long-term availability

Rare earth elements and strategic metals, once viewed as niche or specialized, are now front-page considerations for automotive, aerospace, energy, and defense. Improved recovery rates in recycling are adding real value — and shaping business plans for years to come.

People at the Center of It All

Alongside this focus on materials, I’ve seen a surge in demand for talent — not just any talent, but the kind that understands how these industries work at a fundamental level.

Process manufacturing, metallurgy, and operations leadership have been especially active. Companies are recognizing that resource strategy and workforce strategy are inseparable. You can’t build a resilient supply chain without the people who know how to run it.

The same level of care that goes into securing metals and materials is now being applied to building, developing, and retaining the next generation of industrial expertise. And that alignment — between people and resources — is the biggest shift I’ve seen all year.

Looking Ahead

If 2025 was about adapting to pressure, 2026 will be about building from a position of strength. Companies that approached uncertainty with clear thinking and long-term planning are entering the new year with momentum.

And as a recruiter, a CEO, and someone who has spent decades in this industry, I find that incredibly encouraging.

The real story of this year isn’t just about markets or materials — it’s about the people shaping what comes next.

Here’s to another year of progress, resilience, and opportunity across the industries we proudly serve.