Fictiv's 10th Annual State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report Shows an Industry Reeling from Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
Despite these challenges, the report also shows significant momentum in areas like onshoring, AI adoption, and increasing reliance on digital manufacturing platforms.
Escalating trade conflicts, rising global tensions, and persistent supply chain disruptions are placing unprecedented pressure on manufacturing and supply chain leaders. Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain company, today announced its 10th Annual 2025 State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report, based on a survey of 254 senior manufacturing and supply chain leaders, which reveals a growing sense of uncertainty driven by tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical instability.
Despite these challenges, the report also shows significant momentum in areas like onshoring, AI adoption, and increasing reliance on digital manufacturing platforms.
"Concerns about tariffs and trade wars are clearly top of mind for manufacturing and supply chain leaders," says Dave Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Fictiv. "We're seeing a level of global uncertainty and supply chain disruption we haven't seen since 2020. However, the report also shows that companies are embracing new technologies and strategies to build more resilient and agile supply chains."
Key Findings
Global Uncertainty on the Rise
96% are concerned about the impact of current trade policies, and 93% believe trade wars will escalate in 2025.
Supply Chain Disruptions Accelerating
77% report a lack of resources limits their ability to manage the supply chain effectively, and 68% prioritize onshoring as a key strategy.
Scaling Production More Difficult
91% face barriers to product innovation, and 86% report sourcing parts takes time away from new product introduction. However, 90% see digital manufacturing platforms as essential.
Sustainability Takes Hold:
95% report that weather and climate events impact their supply chain strategy, and 91% have sustainability initiatives and governance in place.
AI Advances
87% report advanced levels of AI maturity, and 94% use AI for manufacturing and supply chain operations.
Navigating the New Reality
The report underscores the need for manufacturers to embrace innovation and adaptability by:
Building Resilient Supply Chains: Onshoring, nearshoring, and diversifying sourcing regions are becoming increasingly important for mitigating supply chain risk.
Leveraging Digital Manufacturing: Digital platforms and on-demand manufacturing are crucial for streamlining operations and accelerating time-to-market.
Embracing AI: AI is transforming manufacturing and supply chain operations, from inventory management to product design.
Prioritizing Sustainability: Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, driven by customer demand and carbon reduction commitments.
Join us for an interactive roundtable discussion on the state of manufacturing and supply chain on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 9 AM Pacific.
Learn more & register here.
The Future of Manufacturing
The 2025 State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report paints a picture of a dynamic industry facing significant challenges but also embracing transformative solutions. Companies that prioritize agility, innovation, and sustainability will be best positioned to thrive in the years to come.
About the Research:
This is Fictiv's 10th annual report conducted with Dimensional Research. The report surveyed 254 qualified individuals at the director level or higher who work in engineering, supply chain, production manufacturing, R&D, or digital innovation roles. Most companies produce goods in clean energy, electric vehicles, robotics, or medtech industries.
About Fictiv:
Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company that enables organizations to scale globally without the typical barriers of cost, complexity, and risk. By leveraging Fictiv's four global manufacturing centers in India, Mexico, China, and the U.S., companies can access high-quality production, optimize supply chain logistics, and mitigate supply chain risk-ensuring they can move from prototype to full-scale manufacturing with speed and confidence. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 35M commercial and prototype parts for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth.
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