Supply Technologies study reveals 82% are concerned about disruption in the next 12 months, despite 80% rating their supply chain resilience at 7/10 or higher

Manufacturers remain highly concerned about supply chain disruption despite growing confidence in their ability to respond, according to new international research from Supply Technologies.

The State of Supply Chain Resilience 2026 study found that 82% of manufacturing professionals are concerned about disruption over the next 12 months, while 80% rate their organization's current supply chain resilience at seven out of 10 or higher.

The research, launched at IMTS 2026, also found 94% believe supply chain resilience is a higher business priority than it was five years ago.

Tariffs and trade policy were identified as the greatest anticipated risk by 62% of respondents, followed by transportation and logistics (54%), geopolitical instability (44%) and material shortages (42%).

Manufacturers are responding through a combination of strategies, with 64% increasing inventory, 54% diversifying suppliers, 48% expanding nearshore or regional sourcing and 46% investing in forecasting and demand planning.

The potential cost of disruption is also significant. More than half of respondents estimate that an hour of production downtime can cost their organization between $10,000 and $250,000, highlighting the commercial impact of supply chain interruptions and the importance of having contingency plans and alternative sources in place before they are needed.

Brian Norris, President of Supply Technologies, said: "Manufacturers don't need convincing that supply chain disruption is a serious business issue anymore. What matters now is how well prepared they are when it happens.

"You can't predict every disruption, and you certainly can't prevent them all. What you can do is mitigate risk before it's too late. Carrying inventory gives you some protection, but manufacturers also need options. If something happens to a supplier or a source of supply, you don't want that to be the point when you start looking for an alternative.

"That's why dual sourcing is about more than finding a second supplier. An alternative source needs to have been assessed and qualified to ensure it can meet the required technical, quality and production standards. Doing that work in advance means there is a genuine option available if circumstances change."

The research also highlights changing expectations of supply chain partners. Manufacturers increasingly value partners that can take on more of the complexity and administrative load associated with managing their supply chains. Inventory management was valued by 68% of respondents, followed by visibility into inventory and orders (66%), supplier diversification (58%), engineering support (54%) and forecasting and planning support (52%).

Brian added: "The strongest supply chains combine protection with adaptability. For us, that means taking on complexity, reducing the administrative burden on our customers and helping them mitigate risk before it affects production. Manufacturers cannot eliminate uncertainty, but they can put the expertise, visibility and qualified options in place to respond when circumstances change."

The State of Supply Chain Resilience 2026 is available to download from Supply Technologies' website.

Download the full report: https://www.supplytechnologies.com/state-of-supply-chain-resilience-2026-supply-technologies

About Supply Technologies
Supply Technologies, a business of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., delivers comprehensive supply chain management programs for fasteners and assembly components. Through engineered solutions, global sourcing, and point-of-use logistics, the company helps OEMs reduce cost, increase efficiency, and maintain uninterrupted production. Supply Technologies operates within ParkOhio's global network of businesses committed to innovation, operational excellence, and customer success.