AI in Action: Nexteer’s Blueprint for Smart, Agile & Software-Defined Manufacturing

At Nexteer, Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just changing how we build the future of motion control, it’s transforming how we deliver quality, reliability and responsiveness to our OEM customers worldwide. By integrating AI into every layer of our manufacturing process, from predictive quality to smart maintenance, we’re advancing toward a truly software-defined plant where AI empowers people to make smarter, faster decisions.

AI is more than a buzzword; it’s a strategic enabler transforming our manufacturing operations. AI is reshaping how products are designed, built and delivered. Our approach combines AI-driven insights with human expertise to enhance safety, efficiency and quality across every stage of production while delivering measurable value to our customers.

Improving SAFETY, EFFICIENCY & QUALITY with AI
AI plays a critical role in making Nexteer’s manufacturing smarter and more responsive. By harnessing vast amounts of data from sensors, machinery and control systems, we are improving uptime, quality and consistency across global operations.

• Predictive Quality: AI analyzes performance and machining data to anticipate potential quality issues before they occur, helping reduce rejected parts and ensure precision in every component.
• Predictive Maintenance: Real-time monitoring of vibration, temperature and programmable logic controllers (PLC) data enables AI to forecast maintenance needs, minimizing unplanned downtime and extending equipment life.
• Visual Quality Control: AI-powered vision systems automatically inspect parts for surface or assembly anomalies, ensuring consistent product quality at speed.

Our vision is an operation that learns, adapts and continuously improves and these initiatives are already producing results across Nexteer’s global manufacturing network.

Driving Agility & Precision Across the Value Chain
Beyond today’s successes, Nexteer continues to evaluate emerging applications of AI to further optimize manufacturing performance and supply chain responsiveness.

• Smart Robotics: AI-guided robotics enhance precision and safety by taking on heavy or repetitive tasks.
• Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimization: Machine learning models analyze trends and production data to better align manufacturing output with OEM needs.
• Agentic AI: Autonomous systems capable of making process-level decisions represent the next evolution toward fully adaptive, self-optimizing factories.

These innovations bring us closer to a future where every process, sensor and machine is intelligently connected to create manufacturing ecosystems that are continuously improving.

Turning AI Strategy into Scalable Results
Integrating AI into a complex manufacturing environment takes more than technology. It requires a clear strategy. Nexteer’s roadmap focuses on incremental progress with measurable impact.

1. Identify Pain Points: Teams pinpoint where AI can address real inefficiencies and deliver immediate benefits.
2. Focus on Data: Clean and reliable data forms the foundation for every AI initiative.
3. Pilot and Validate: Start small, test quickly and measure success against defined KPIs.
4. Scale Across Sites: Proven solutions are expanded across facilities for enterprise-wide results.

This disciplined approach ensures each implementation adds value to both our operations and the customers who depend on us.

Empowering People to Lead AI Transformation
Even as AI transforms the factory floor, people remain at the center of Nexteer’s success. Our teams bring creativity, logic and experience that no algorithm can replicate. We are fostering a culture where employees embrace AI as a tool that amplifies their capabilities. Through training, open communication and clear guardrails, Nexteer ensures technology enhances and amplifies the human impact on the factory floor.

Shaping the Future of Intelligent Manufacturing
As AI capabilities expand, Nexteer’s software-defined plant continues to evolve, setting new benchmarks for quality, efficiency and reliability in automotive manufacturing. By combining advanced data analytics, machine learning and human ingenuity, we are redefining what is possible in modern manufacturing and delivering the agility our OEM partners need in a rapidly changing industry.

At Nexteer, the future of manufacturing is already here, and it is software-defined.