So That Happened: Who Did It Best? A Sticky Step for Fun and Scholarship
Editor’s note: Welcome to So That Happened, our editors’ takes on things going on in the manufacturing world that deserve some extra attention. This will appear regularly in the Member’s Only section of the site.
Duck, Duck, Prom
Remember that fine spring day you went to Target for a roll of baby-pink Duck Tape to jazz up your bike fenders, and they were out of all the special colors? That’s because spring is the season that crafty teens from all over the country fashion their gowns and tuxes for Duck Brand Tape’s “Stuck at the Prom” contest.
And now that prom season is over, the finalists have been chosen (See photo above). This year’s contenders include Delano Y., who took inspiration from his mother’s ancestry to fashion a spectacular suit of armor with design elements from the Polish Hassar cavalry: decorative wings on the back, a white eagle with a golden crown on a red shield and flagged lance/spear and saber.
The knightly ‘fit only took him 16 rolls of duct tape: At $4 a roll, way less than renting a tux and infinity times snazzier.
Then there’s Brittany B., who went for a princess look with hundreds of origami-style flowers and “a pink corset that was part fashion statement, part adhesive nightmare.”
Kathryn L. created a breathtaking coral reef scene on her dress, while Julian H. incorporated Adinkra symbols from West Africa.
You can vote here for your favorite Duck outfit through July 9. (We feel there should be a special award for “Best Range of Motion,” but there isn’t.) The winning ensembles receive college scholarships and bragging rights to a prom experience like no other.
—Laura Putre
Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy
Privately held Del Monte Foods announced July 1 that it has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 and will pursue a sale.
In addition to Del Monte, the company’s brands include Contadina, College Inn and Kitchen Basics.
Del Monte Foods also reported that it has secured $912.5 million in financing that, with the bankruptcy’s court permission, will fund ongoing operations during the sales process, “including the Company’s pack season that is presently underway.”
“This is a strategic step forward for Del Monte Foods. After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods,” said President and CEO Greg Longstreet.
“With an improved capital structure, enhanced financial position and new ownership, we will be better positioned for long-term success.”
Del Monte Foods, which refers to itself as the “original plant-based food company” dates back to 1886.
—Jill Jusko
Latest Round of Registered Apprenticeship Grants Funds to States, Territories
On June 30, The Department of Labor announced it would release a third round of Registered Apprenticeship grants funding worth $84 million. According to the Department, the money will go towards state Departments of labor and commerce, technical colleges, workforce development offices, and the like in "50 states and territories."
Those do not include Alabama, California, Connecticut, or Florida, but do include Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. The Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands both received the smallest grants: $75,000 each for their Workforce Investment Agency and Department of Education, respectively. By contrast, Texas's Workforce Commission received the largest grant at $2.8 million, followed by New York's Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Commerce, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Nine states also won additional competitive grants, which mostly dwarfed the non-competitive ones. Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island and Tennessee each received roughly $5 million in competitive State Apprenticeship grants.
"Registered Apprenticeships are a vital tool for skills development, national economic competitiveness, business growth, and individual opportunity," said Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, vowing to "achieve President Trump's goal of 1 million new active apprentices." The Department says that 134,000 new apprentices have signed on since the beginning of Trump's latest term in late January, which means the Department is currently on pace to recruit roughly 600 thousand new apprentices in 24 months.
— Ryan Secard
Supply Chain Headwinds Creating Headaches for Business Leaders
Industry leaders’ concerns surrounding expenses increased dramatically from Q1 to Q2, according to digital services firm West Monroe’s 2025 Q2 Supply Chain Poll, which surveyed 250 leaders from manufacturing, retail and distribution. Among eight top supply chain priorities, “cost containment amid economic uncertainty” jumped from last place in Q1 at 6% to tied for first place in Q2 at 20%. “Improving inventory management” also came in at 20% for Q2.
Unsurprisingly, the top three policies with the biggest impact on supply chains were all tariffs. Reciprocal tariffs came in first place, the 10% minimum tariff in second and the steel and aluminum tariffs in third. 48% say the Trump administration has had negative effects on supply chains. Notably, 38% say it has had positive effects, and 14% say there has been no noticeable effect.
“Inventory management and visibility” ranked fourth among the top capabilities to manage volatility, and 62% of respondents reported increasing inventory in Q2. The top three capabilities are:
- “Supplier diversity and reliability” – 63%
- “Flexibility in logistics and transportation” – 61%
- “Technology and real-time analytics capabilities” – 55%
—Anna Smith
Xerox Finalizes Lexmark Acquisition
It’s a done deal. Xerox on July 1 completed its acquisition of Lexmark International in a deal first announced in December 2024.
Norwalk, Conn.-based Xerox purchased the privately held Lexmark International in a $1.5 billion transaction that included net debt and assumed liabilities. The Lexington, Ky.-based printer and imaging solutions manufacturer had been owned most recently by a consortium comprising Ninestar Corporation, PAG Asia Capital, and Shanghai Shouda Investment Centre. It was founded in 1991 as a spinoff from IBM.
In announcing the deal, Xerox outlined multiple ways in which the acquisition would expand its portfolio offerings, including boosting the company’s presence in the growing A4 color market and diversifying its distribution and geographic presence.
Steve Bandrowczak remains as CEO of Xerox with a leadership team comprised of members from both organizations. Lexmark president and CEO Allen Waugerman steps down with the close of the deal.
The combined organization includes 125 manufacturing and distribution facilities in 16 countries, Xerox says.
— Jill Jusko
