Manufacturing is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with constant innovation that’s driving the market almost faster than any other. According to Statista, the global industry value should reach $14.34 trillion, showing a compound annual growth rate of 1.46%. That value actually translates to almost half of the global economy (45.06%). It’s also predicted the industry will reach a manufacturing output of $50.84 trillion by the end of 2025. All statistics from Statista.
All that revenue and manufacturing output comes from 27,278,673 companies, according to The Manufacturer, from startups to SMEs to global giants. Future-proofing a business to stay relevant, profitable, and desirable to customers is essential.
Read on for our top secrets for future-proofing a manufacturing business.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Sustainable manufacturing is the future. A 2024 Uswitch study found that 78% of consumers feel sustainability is an important consideration when shopping. And what they’re shopping for comes from manufacturers.
Some industries are doing better than others. For example, on-demand-printing was one industry responsible for massive amounts of energy and water waste and water pollution, accounting for 20% of polluted clean water. The best DTG brand, Kornit Digital, and others are investing in technology like NeoPigment inks and single-pass digital printing to meet consumer sustainability demands. A print on demand company is one of the businesses facing the most pressure for sustainability – you’ll notice a lot of textiles now highlight they’re from recycled materials.
Companies are also focusing on going carbon neutral and switching to green energy.
Robotics
Robotics is the future. According to the International Federation of Robots, the number of manufacturing companies in the US investing in robotics to automate their processes increased by 12% in 2024.
Automation means more output, cost savings, reduced human error, and more revenue. Robots Done Right reports robotics can lead to cost reductions of 20% to 40%, depending on the industry.
We’re experiencing varying inflation, new trade tax tariffs, and the risk that startups, SMEs, and even global giants will struggle with cash flow if they can’t find cost-saving solutions. Future-Proofing a Manufacturing Business is essential in addressing these challenges, ensuring adaptability and financial resilience in an evolving market.
For us, robotics is the answer.
Customer Relationships
It’s not all about technology and innovation. To future-proof a business, you must focus on strong customer relationships that won’t wander to other manufacturing companies. Statistics released to the Startup website revealed that 86% of buyers will pay more for a great customer experience and one in three customers will leave a brand after a bad experience.
Customers today want more than products—they want transparency, reliability, and trust. Keeping your clients close means being proactive. That means real-time updates, customization options, responsive communication, and loyalty-building strategies like long-term service contracts.
Tech can help, sure. But it’s the human touch that wins hearts. Think about post-sale support, predictive maintenance alerts, and co-development partnerships that give clients skin in the game.
Future-Proofing a Manufacturing Business goes beyond machines—it’s about adopting the right mindset. Those who wait to adapt will lose to those who lead the charge. That means tighter operations. Greener footprints. Deeper customer trust.
The world’s changing fast.
