Industry report roundup: Perspectives on tariffs and reshoring, cybersecurity risks, product development, 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.
A new survey from Stiles Associates reveals that 84% of manufacturing executives produce in the United States, with nearly 30% also manufacturing in Mexico, China, and Canada. The survey found that 80% of respondents reported increased production costs due to recently implemented tariffs, with 41% facing significant increases and 39% experiencing moderate cost hikes. In response to the tariffs, the top strategies manufacturers are considering include passing costs to customers (70%), diversifying their supply base (52%), and improving efficiency (40%). Additionally, about one-third of respondents plan to increase U.S. domestic production to adapt to the changing environment.
In a recent quote, Stiles Associates CEO Jake Stiles said, “These results confirm that manufacturers are adapting to the new trade landscape, but not without significant challenges. Supply chain resilience, cost management and operational efficiency are now top priorities for manufacturing leaders.”
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A global study by Omdia reveals that 80% of manufacturing firms experienced a significant increase in security incidents or breaches last year, but only 45% are adequately prepared for cybersecurity challenges. The survey, conducted with over 500 technology executives, focused on the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) in manufacturing operations. As manufacturers embrace digital transformation technologies like cloud, AI, and IoT, the risk of cyber threats increases, with ransomware targeting critical industries. Manufacturers impacted by cyber attacks reported losses between $200,000 and $2 million, with the biggest impact on enterprise systems and production control.
In a recent quote, Adam Etherington, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia, said, "Our study illuminates critical attack vectors and lessons learned, and provides timely advice for any executive responsible for IT and OT. More pervasive connectivity between IT and OT is essential across greenfield and brownfield manufacturing system design and enhancements. Step change improvements to innovation, availability, safety and security require firms to harness cloud, IoT, AI and private networks, with IT/OT convergence bringing these technologies to life.
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Dragos, Inc. released its 2025 OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report, revealing an 87% surge in ransomware activity over the previous year and the emergence of new malware families targeting operational technology (OT) environments. The report identified two new OT Cyber Threat Groups, GRAPHITE and BAUXITE, bringing the total number of tracked groups to 23, with 9 active in OT operations in 2024. This marks the 8th Annual Year in Review by Dragos, providing comprehensive insights into cyber threats faced by industrial organizations. The report emphasizes the growing complexity of threats in OT environments and the increasing need for cybersecurity measures.
In a recent quote, Robert M. Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Dragos, said, “This year’s report demonstrates two important trends; that OT has become a mainstream target, and that even advanced cyber operations are employing unsophisticated tactics to compromise and disrupt critical infrastructure. Skilled adversaries from state-sponsored groups are hiding in critical infrastructure and hacktivists and criminal groups are increasingly using ransomware and exploiting known vulnerabilities, weak remote access configurations, and exposed OT assets to penetrate industrial environments. Meanwhile lack of visibility into OT conceals the full scope of these attacks.”
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Aras' new report, “The Future of Product Lifecycle Management and Digital Engineering,” reveals that 80% of companies are already integrating AI into their product development processes, and 91% plan to increase AI investment within the next two years. Key challenges driving this shift include production costs (35%), product complexity (34%), and regulatory compliance (33%). In terms of regional AI adoption, the U.S. leads with 98% of companies planning to expand AI use, followed by the DACH region (92%) and Japan (70%). Additionally, 88% of companies believe they should invest more in product development software, with France having the highest percentage at 95%. However, 69% of companies face security and intellectual property concerns, while 65% lack the necessary skills to fully leverage AI.
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.”
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