U.S. Manufacturing at a Crossroads: Can It Address the Tech Gap?
June 23, 2025
U.S. manufacturing is at a crossroads. While manufacturing
may return to the U.S., are production facilities technologically ready for the shift?
U.S.-based manufacturing is at an inflection point. While policy in recent years has encouraged a return to U.S. manufacturing, today’s facilities need a modernization boost. To realize the promise of this shift in manufacturing, manufacturers need to invest in technology—from cybersecurity and compliance to automation— to compete and meet consumer demands.
In the 2025 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Readiness Report: Ready to Lead?, we explore how current policies are affecting U.S.-based manufacturing and the priorities of consumers.
Here are some key findings from the report:
Support for American-made goods comes with caveats. Two-thirds of consumers say they prefer goods made in the U.S. However, 62% also value quality and price.
Cyber threats are top of mind for consumers. 91% of consumers express concern over other countries’ threats to U.S. manufacturers.
Costs driving—and inhibiting technology investment. 57% of manufacturing managers and executives cited cost as their biggest barrier to investing in IT modernization and cybersecurity.
