A look at the year ahead in design and manufacturing

Every year the editors of Aerospace Manufacturing & Design, Defense & Munitions, and Today's Medical Developments take a close look at what the previous year brought in the design and manufacturing industry, and how recent and current trends are likely to affect the year ahead. You won’t want to miss our 2026 Forecast, taking place January 29 at 12PM ET, as we share with you what you can expect this year and beyond. Register now for this free, in-depth webinar focused on three major markets and including insights on the broader manufacturing industry.

Speakers

 

Eric Brothers
Editor - Manufacturing Group

Eric Brothers has been writing about aeronautics, business, and transportation technology topics for more than 30 years. He joined GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group of print and online publications in 2013 and serves as Editor of Today’s Medical Developments, EV Design & Manufacturing, and Defense and Munitions. Since 2014, he’s had principal editorial responsibility for Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, combining a lifelong interest in aviation with curiosity about science and technology. His previous credits include serving as senior editor for Babcox Media’s trade publication Fleet Equipment and independently as a contributor to Tire Review. Eric also was a contributing writer to the American Trucking Association’s Transport Topics.

 

Jake Kauffman
Senior Editor - Manufacturing Group

Jake Kauffman has been in the manufacturing industry since 2021 after a career in TV news and sports talk radio; working in Wheeling, West Virginia and Cleveland, Ohio after graduating from Kent State University in 2012 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Jake began at GIE Media in October of 2021 as an associate editor for their Today's Medical Developments and Aerospace Manufacturing and Design magazines along with their EV Design & Manufacturing online publication before being promoted to Managing Editor of Defense and Munitions magazine since its debut in 2023. Earlier this year Jake was promoted to Senior Editor, the role he currently holds for GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group. Jake also serves as their webinar moderator and host of GIE Media's MFG Radio Network podcasts “Manufacturing Matters” and “Lunch + Learn”.

 

Clare Scott
Managing Editor - Manufacturing Group

Clare Scott began covering the manufacturing industry in 2015 at the then-unknown and brand new 3DPrint.com industry news site. She continued to write about additive manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing technologies at companies including Dassault Systèmes and Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM International. Her work has also appeared in The Guardian, Plastics Today, and Business Insider. Clare began working at GIE Media in 2024 as a writer and editor for all four of the company’s Manufacturing Group of publications (Today’s Medical Developments, Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, Defense & Munitions, and EV Design & Manufacturing.) She has since been promoted to managing editor of Today’s Medical Developments. Clare holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hiram College and a Master of Arts from University College Dublin.