Business Talk: Manufacturing Moves From Toshiba, Applied Manufacturing Technologies, Novenda, and More
Business Talk is a recurring round-up where each installment tracks the latest manufacturing business developments and strategic moves within the industry.
Toshiba Wins Fourth Consecutive Logistics Pacesetter Award for Print Solutions
Move: Toshiba America Business Solutions has been named the 2025–2026 Pacesetter Award winner in Logistics by Keypoint Intelligence, marking its fourth consecutive win for delivering durable print technologies and dedicated support for logistics, manufacturing, and retail operations.
Details: Toshiba outperformed competitors across 60+ criteria, including hardware reliability, software, professional and field services, and security. Its rugged e-STUDIO multifunction printers and industrial label and receipt printers are engineered for demanding settings, featuring dust protection, reinforced components, IP-certified splash resistance, and drop protection. Backed by 24/7/365 service, Toshiba's solutions help logistics and manufacturing professionals maintain uninterrupted uptime in harsh environments.
Insight: The Pacesetter Award recognizes document imaging OEMs that lead key verticals through technology and services. Keypoint Intelligence highlighted Toshiba's experience and tailored solutions for the logistics sector. Toshiba says this continued recognition reinforces its commitment to delivering cost-effective, secure, and sustainable print technologies that support the daily operations of manufacturing, logistics, and retail professionals.
Learn more
Novenda Raises $6.1M to Advance Multi-Material 3D Printing for Dental Manufacturing
Move: Dutch company Novenda Technologies has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding to scale its proprietary multimaterial 3D printing platform, which automates the production of dental products like night guards and dentures.
Details: Backed by Brightlands Venture Partners, KBC Focus Fund, and others, Novenda's technology eliminates manual assembly and post-processing by combining multiple materials in a single print run. Its smart jetting process offers precise colour and material control, water-soluble supports, and layer accuracy without mechanical rollers, boosting throughput for centralized dental labs while addressing rising labor shortages.
Insight: While Novenda's initial focus is dental manufacturing, its breakthrough in multimaterial additive manufacturing highlights how advanced printing tech can transform high-volume, customized production. The company plans to expand into other applications that benefit from individualized mass manufacturing.
Learn more
Parter Raises $5.5M to Bring AI-Powered Clarity to Hardware Manufacturing
Move: Parter, an AI platform for hardware engineering and supply chain teams, has secured $5.5 million in seed funding to help manufacturers design smarter, source better, and manage risk more proactively.
Details: The round, led by StageOne Ventures with support from Zenda Capital, Mercer Ventures, and prominent angels, will fuel Parter's product development and U.S. expansion. Parter's platform connects siloed data from BOMs, ERP, PLM, and spreadsheets into a single source of truth, using AI agents to automate risk monitoring, supplier alternatives, compliance checks, and quoting. The system targets OEMs, ODMs, EMS providers, and contract manufacturers in sectors like IoT, automotive, and defense.
Insight: As supply chain instability and reshoring pressures mount, Parter's launch comes at a pivotal time for hardware producers navigating tariffs, obsolescence, and fragmented data. The startup’s recent selection for Palantir's AI accelerator further highlights industry interest in AI tools that transform reactive workflows into resilient, data-driven operations.
Learn more
Applied Manufacturing Technologies Expands Data Integration Expertise With Ignition Gold Certification
Move: Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) has strengthened its capabilities in industrial data integration by achieving Ignition Gold Certification, advancing its commitment to delivering modern, data-driven automation solutions.
Details: One AMT engineer has earned the Gold Certification from Inductive Automation's Ignition platform, with three more engineers currently in training. Ignition connects plant floor equipment with SQL databases to provide real-time data collection, application design, and web-based deployment. AMT's certified engineers combine this expertise with advanced skills in PLC and robotics programming, ensuring comprehensive support for customers' industrial data projects.
Insight: The certification highlights AMT's strategy to deepen its controls and integration capabilities at a time when manufacturers demand greater connectivity, visibility, and regulatory compliance. Recent projects, including an Ignition deployment for a leading life sciences company, demonstrate how AMT's expanded Ignition team helps clients achieve traceability, process transparency, and improved product quality in complex, compliance-driven environments.
Learn more
Ati Motors Raises $20M to Scale AI-Driven Robotics Workforce Globally
Move: Ati Motors, a maker of autonomous mobile robots for industrial automation, has raised $20 million in Series B funding to expand its AI-powered robotics platform across North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Details: The round was co-led by Walden Catalyst Ventures and NGP Capital, with participation from existing investors True Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, Athera Venture Partners, and Blume Ventures. The investment follows a surge in demand, with Ati Motors tripling its order book in Q4 2024 and adding nine major clients—including scaled deployments with Forvia and Hyundai.
The company's Sherpa robots operate autonomously in dynamic manufacturing settings, with deployments spanning more than 40 facilities (30% of which are Fortune 500 companies). By leveraging one of the largest real-world factory datasets, Ati Motors is developing next-gen AI models to push the boundaries of industrial autonomy.
Insight: Labor shortages and rising demand for safe, efficient automation are driving interest in robotics that can perform demanding tasks in real-world conditions. Ati Motors addresses this challenge with robots designed as purpose-built self-driving vehicles, offering high uptime and productivity. The funding will support further product development, operations in new markets like Mexico, and the expansion of its Detroit headquarters.
Learn more