- 60% of manufacturers plan to increase quality-related spending in 2025
- 82% of manufacturers are either using or planning to implement AI within two years
- Safety incidents decreased from 48% to 41% compared to previous year
According to ETQ's second annual Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing Survey, labor shortages continue to challenge the U.S. manufacturing sector in 2025, with 70% of manufacturers reporting impact. Notably, 88% indicated that these shortages are affecting product quality.
The survey highlights a troubling trend in product recalls, with 75% of organizations experiencing recalls over the past five years. Of these, 48% mentioned that each recall cost between $10 million and $49.99 million.
AI adoption is gaining momentum in the manufacturing landscape. Currently, 33% of respondents have already implemented AI, while 49% plan to do so within the next two years. The primary AI applications include automating document processing (46%), core process automation (47%), and defect detection (45%).
Looking ahead, 60% of manufacturers intend to boost their spending on quality initiatives in 2025. Investment areas include generative AI, automated quality management tools, and predictive analytics. This shift underscores a broader recognition of quality as a strategic revenue driver.
Safety incidents are on a decline, with 41% of respondents reporting 11 to 20 incidents annually, a decrease from the previous year's 48%. Additionally, plant injuries are flagged by 27% as the leading cause of poor quality, following product recalls.
