Escalating trade conflicts, rising global tensions, and persistent supply chain disruptions are placing unprecedented pressure on manufacturing and supply chain leaders.

Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain company, is holding a webinar to review its 10th Annual 2025 State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report, which reveals a growing sense of uncertainty driven by tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical instability.

Source: Fictiv

“Concerns about tariffs and trade wars are clearly top of mind for manufacturing and supply chain leaders,” says Dave Evans, co-founder and CEO of Fictiv. “We’re seeing a level of global uncertainty and supply chain disruption we haven’t seen since 2020. However, the report also shows that companies are embracing new technologies and strategies to build more resilient and agile supply chains.”

Key findings

Global uncertainty on the rise

• 96% are concerned about the impact of current trade policies, and 93% believe trade wars will escalate in 2025.

Supply chain disruptions accelerating

• 77% report a lack of resources limits their ability to manage the supply chain effectively, and 68% prioritize onshoring as a key strategy.

Scaling production more difficult

• 91% face barriers to product innovation, and 86% report sourcing parts takes time away from new product introduction. However, 90% see digital manufacturing platforms as essential.

Sustainability takes hold

• 95% report that weather and climate events impact their supply chain strategy, and 91% have sustainability initiatives and governance in place.

AI advances

• 87% report advanced levels of AI maturity, and 94% use AI for manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Navigating the new reality

The report underscores the need for manufacturers to embrace innovation and adaptability by:

• Building resilient supply chains: Onshoring, nearshoring, and diversifying sourcing regions are becoming increasingly important for mitigating supply chain risk.
• Leveraging digital manufacturing: Digital platforms and on-demand manufacturing are crucial for streamlining operations and accelerating time-to-market.
• Embracing AI: AI is transforming manufacturing and supply chain operations, from inventory management to product design.
• Prioritizing sustainability: Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, driven by customer demand and carbon reduction commitments.

Register today to join us for an interactive roundtable discussion on the state of manufacturing and supply chain on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 9 AM Pacific.