Industry report roundup: Perspectives on manufacturers’ priorities, AI adoption, industry challenges, and more

If you’re looking for an accurate analysis of the state of the manufacturing industry, then go straight to the source: the workers. Reputable research conducted by industry organizations is invaluable when you’re trying to make decisions for your plant or your business. In this roundup, we’ll highlight the latest surveys, reports, studies, and research that delves into the trends, topics, and technologies that are affecting the manufacturing sector. 

Revalize has released new research detailing what manufacturing organizations are prioritizing in 2025, highlighting key challenges and the future direction of the industry. The report, "Smart Manufacturing 2025: Trends Shaping the Digital-First Era and Beyond," surveyed 500 decision-makers in the U.S. and Germany and found that companies will focus on three key areas: tools and talent, data security, and adapting to new technology and a skills shortage. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for 13.6% of the global employed population and 16% of global GDP, is set to invest heavily in software and engineering teams in 2025. However, the industry faces challenges in navigating technological advancements like AI, robotics, and IoT, and will need to retrain its workforce to stay competitive. 

In a recent quote, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize, said, "The manufacturing industry stands on the brink of a transformative era driven by advanced technologies such as AI, Industry 4.0, and cloud-based solutions. While that's exciting, we also recognize that manufacturers will continue to face challenges including supply chain disruptions, skilled labor shortages, and increasingly sophisticated security threats. At Revalize, we are committed to empowering businesses with the tools and insights they need to navigate this landscape, which is why we're releasing this report to help shine a light on what the future of manufacturing will look like and what challenges organizations should prepare for in the years to come."  
Download the report 

Aras has released a report, “The Future of Product Lifecycle Management and Digital Engineering.” revealing key insights about AI adoption in product development. The research shows that 80% of companies are already incorporating AI into their product development processes, with 91% planning to increase their AI investment in the next two years. Key challenges driving the shift to AI include production costs (35%), product complexity (34%), and regulatory compliance and time-to-market concerns (33% each). Sustainability also plays a growing role, with 32% of companies recognizing its importance in strategic planning.  

In a recent quote, Roque Martin, CEO of Aras, said, “Incorporating AI into product development isn’t just about keeping up – it’s about staying ahead. Aras enables AI-driven innovation with secure, governed integration, ensuring insights are accessible only to authorized users. This empowers manufacturers to harness AI and advanced analytics to design smarter, more connected products while protecting their intellectual property.” 
Download the report 

CyberArk's 2025 State of Machine Identity Security Report reveals that machine identity-related security incidents are on the rise, with 72% of organizations experiencing at least one certificate-related outage in the past year. Additionally, 50% of security leaders reported incidents or breaches due to compromised machine identities. The report highlights the growing challenges posed by machine identities, driven by AI adoption, cloud innovations, and shorter identity lifespans, which have made securing these identities more complex. Surveying over 1,200 security leaders globally, the report emphasizes the significant business impacts of not securing machine identities effectively, including costly outages and breaches. 

In a recent quote, Kurt Sand, GM of Machine Identity Security at CyberArk, said, “Machine identities of all kinds will continue to skyrocket over the next year, bringing not only greater complexity but also increased risks. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting machine identities – from API keys to code signing certificates – to exploit vulnerabilities, compromise systems and disrupt critical infrastructure, leaving even the most advanced businesses dangerously exposed. This research highlights the urgency for security leaders to establish a comprehensive, end-to-end machine identity security strategy that tackles the non-human identities that matter most to prevent potential attacks and outages—especially as AI agents continue to rise and the quantum attack timeline shortens.”    
Download the report  

Sikich's latest Sikich Industry Pulse survey reveals that inflation was the top challenge for manufacturing executives in 2024, with 26% citing it as their biggest issue, followed by the rising cost of materials at 14% and increased competition at 13%. The survey also assessed confidence in internal controls and fraud prevention, with 86% of executives expressing confidence in their organization's ability to identify fraud. Despite this, only 17% of respondents reported having an internal audit department. The Pulse survey provides real-time insights into trends and challenges affecting manufacturing and distribution industries. 

In a recent quote, Jerry Murphy, principal, Sikich, said, "While many executives may be heading into the new year optimistically, we’d be remised not to recognize the challenges faced in 2024 and prepare for potential industry disruptions this year. Manufacturing companies have had to stay agile in combating rising inflation and the costs of materials with the shortage of labor. Optimizing automation to reduce dependency on labor and upskilling existing employees to mitigate workforce gaps should be explored as potential strategies. Further, executives must look to diversify their supplier base and negotiate better terms to assist in overcoming challenges posed by rising inflation.” 
Download the report