>> Karen Parker, editor-in-chief
FROM THE EDITOR
Susan Sutton served as Editor-in-Chief, Integrated Media, of ASI magazine for many years. If you wish to send a letter to the editor, please contact Tom Fowler at fowlert@bnpmedia.com. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
Strategic AI Adoption Signals a New Phase for Industry
At summer’s end, I read what I thought was an astounding statistic: in the first half of 2025, capital spending related to artificial intelligence (AI) contributed 1.1% to GDP growth and outpaced U.S. consumer spending for the same period. The data suggest that AI may have been the engine driving economic expansion in 2025, as investment in AI grew while consumption softened.
AI is here, and it is poised to become increasingly a part of our personal and business lives, playing a big role in how the world economy operates. From the manufacturing industry’s point of view, companies are beginning to explore and then fine-tune how they are using this technology to increase operational efficiency and maximize profits.
Over the last few years, companies across the spectrum have launched many proof-of-concept projects, and many of those projects have had a high failure rate. The “try everything and see what sticks” approach is now being replaced by a more systematic and data-driven approach. Companies are starting to focus on limited, strategic and targeted projects, shifting from high-volume experimentation to specific use cases that can show measurable results.
One example is a company that reviewed its accounts-receivable process and determined that it could use a tool with generative AI, optical character recognition, and natural language processing to fix issues in its invoicing process. I believe specific applications with clear data to demonstrate value will be the trend going forward. This month’s issue features an article about how Coherix is using AI and 3D computer-vision technology to significantly change how the dispensing of adhesives and sealants is performed. This is a perfect example of how a company utilizes this technology for specific applications that improve processes and save money. I encourage you to read that article and other articles within this issue that explore ways AI is being utilized in the chemicals industry.
The January issue also marks a milestone, as it is the last issue where our publisher, Tom Fowler, was at the helm. Tom has been the publisher of ASI and our sister publication, Paint and Coatings Industry (PCI) for just over 10 years. He retired at the end of December, having been in the business-to-business publication industry for 45 years. His experience and calm have contributed to the success of our two publications, and those of us who have had the pleasure of working with him over the years are grateful for his steady leadership.
As Tom leaves, ASI is moving to a new chapter with new leadership. A longtime BNP publisher who has extensive experience across the industrial sector, Bill DeYoe is now the group publisher of BNP’s Manufacturing Division. This division brings together Adhesives & Sealants Industry (ASI), ASSEMBLY, Industry Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN), Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI) and Quality. With the new structure, the company aims to increase the collaboration across brands while also maintaining each one’s unique focus.
Included in this collaboration is our upcoming event, The Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX). This must-attend event will give professionals in the manufacturing space an opportunity to see first-hand the latest innovations. Coming to the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, March 25-26, 2026, MAX is responding to the changes shaping manufacturing, including integrated systems and smart factories. The event brings together ASSEMBLY, Quality Magazine, Adhesives & Sealants Industry (ASI), ISHN, Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), and Packaging Strategies to create a collaborative event that reflects the modern manufacturing environment. Learn more by visiting the MAX, Manufacturing & Automation eXchange website.