2026 Manufacturing Outlook Study

The 2026 Market Research Report, informed by a survey of over 230 manufacturing leaders, indicates the industry is entering a decisive new phase. The post-pandemic reset is done, and 2026 will be defined by discipline, efficiency, and ROI. After stabilizing supply chains and operationalizing digital tools in 2025, manufacturers are pulling back from broad expansion and shifting to targeted capital spending — with the shop floor now the clear priority.

Key signals at a glance

• 79% of manufacturers say skilled labor shortage is their biggest external challenge.
• 69% plan to invest in physical assets like robots and equipment in 2026.
• 47% say tariffs and unclear trade policies are making planning harder.

These numbers indicate why the smartest manufacturers are turning to a unified, data-centric operating model. This report highlights how companies are prioritizing centralized, real-time data environments to automate procurement, track inventory without manual overhead, and close operational gaps created by labor shortages. The winners in 2026 won’t be the ones who scale the fastest — they’ll be the ones who invest deeply, ruthlessly, and efficiently in what already works.

If you’re making decisions about automation, capital allocation, or resilience in 2026, this is not a “nice to read.” It’s a playbook for the year ahead.