Navigating Tariffs, Cost Pressure & Opportunity
Are manufacturers mortgaging their future?
Amid rising tariffs, energy costs, and economic uncertainty, new research shows U.S. manufacturers are delaying critical investments that could improve long-term competitiveness. The 2026 State of the Manufacturing Industry Report, sponsored by EFESO Management Consultants and conducted by IndustryWeek and Endeavor Business Intelligence, reveals how leading companies are balancing immediate cost takeout goals with the need for future growth.
What’s Inside the Report
Gain exclusive insight into how 150 North American manufacturing executives are tackling the most pressing challenges shaping 2026:
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Tariff & Trade Policy Uncertainty — How global shifts are reshaping supply chains and pricing models.
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Cost Takeout Strategies — Learn which tactics deliver results—and which are eroding competitiveness.
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AI & Automation — How smart factories are investing in predictive maintenance, robotics, and process control automation.
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Energy Efficiency & Sustainability — Why rising power costs are driving transformation across production lines.
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Ownership & Size Dynamics — How private, public, and PE-backed companies differ in investment discipline and risk appetite.
Key Findings
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91% of manufacturers face equal or more severe cost reduction targets than last year.
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Only 31% are engaging in value engineering or product redesign to reduce cost.
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Nearly half (44%) worry that delaying investments will hurt agility and scalability.
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AI adoption is accelerating, with 83% calling it critical to cost takeout success.
Why You Should Read This Report
This exclusive analysis offers a comprehensive view of the decisions shaping manufacturing’s future—where to cut, where to invest, and how to maintain competitive balance in an unpredictable global economy.
If you lead strategy, operations, or transformation in manufacturing, this is the data you need to plan for 2026 and beyond.
Unlock the insights from EFESO Management Consultants and IndustryWeek to see how the most successful manufacturers are turning cost pressure into opportunity.