Annual ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing Survey Reveals Widespread Labor Shortage Continues in 2025, Growing Use of Automation, AI, to Address It
ETQ's second annual Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing Survey reveals persistent manufacturing challenges in 2025. Key findings show 70% of U.S. manufacturers face labor shortages, with 88% reporting impact on product quality. The survey indicates 75% of organizations experienced product recalls in the past five years, with 48% of recalls costing between $10-49.99 million.
The study highlights increasing AI adoption in manufacturing, with 49% planning implementation within two years and 33% already using it. AI applications focus on document processing (46%), core process automation (47%), and defect detection (45%). Additionally, 60% of respondents plan to increase quality-related spending in 2025, investing in generative AI, automated quality management tools, and predictive analytics.
Il secondo sondaggio annuale Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing di ETQ evidenzia le sfide persistenti nel settore manifatturiero nel 2025. I risultati principali mostrano che il 70% dei produttori statunitensi affronta carenze di manodopera, con l'88% che segnala un impatto sulla qualità del prodotto. Il sondaggio indica che il 75% delle organizzazioni ha avuto richiami di prodotto negli ultimi cinque anni, con il 48% dei richiami che ha comportato costi tra i 10 e i 49,99 milioni di dollari.
Lo studio mette in luce la crescente adozione dell'IA nella manifattura, con il 49% che prevede di implementarla entro due anni e il 33% che la utilizza già. Le applicazioni dell'IA si concentrano sull'elaborazione dei documenti (46%), sull'automazione dei processi principali (47%) e sul rilevamento dei difetti (45%). Inoltre, il 60% degli intervistati intende aumentare la spesa per la qualità nel 2025, investendo in IA generativa, strumenti automatizzati di gestione della qualità e analisi predittive.
La segunda encuesta anual Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing de ETQ revela desafíos persistentes en la manufactura para 2025. Los hallazgos clave muestran que el 70% de los fabricantes estadounidenses enfrenta escasez de mano de obra, con un 88% reportando impacto en la calidad del producto. La encuesta indica que el 75% de las organizaciones experimentaron retiros de productos en los últimos cinco años, con un 48% de esos retiros costando entre 10 y 49.99 millones de dólares.
El estudio destaca el aumento de la adopción de IA en la manufactura, con un 49% planeando implementarla en dos años y un 33% ya usándola. Las aplicaciones de IA se enfocan en el procesamiento de documentos (46%), automatización de procesos centrales (47%) y detección de defectos (45%). Además, el 60% de los encuestados planea aumentar el gasto relacionado con la calidad en 2025, invirtiendo en IA generativa, herramientas automatizadas de gestión de calidad y análisis predictivos.
ETQ의 두 번째 연례 제조 품질 동향 조사는 2025년 제조업계의 지속적인 과제를 보여줍니다. 주요 결과에 따르면 미국 제조업체의 70%가 인력 부족을 겪고 있으며, 88%는 제품 품질에 영향을 받았다고 보고했습니다. 설문조사에 따르면 조직의 75%가 지난 5년간 제품 리콜을 경험했으며, 리콜 비용의 48%는 1,000만~4,999만 달러 사이였습니다.
연구는 제조업에서 AI 도입 증가를 강조하며, 49%는 2년 내 도입 계획이 있고 33%는 이미 사용 중입니다. AI 적용 분야는 문서 처리(46%), 핵심 프로세스 자동화(47%), 결함 감지(45%)에 집중되어 있습니다. 또한 응답자의 60%는 2025년에 품질 관련 지출을 늘릴 계획이며, 생성 AI, 자동화 품질 관리 도구, 예측 분석에 투자할 예정입니다.
La deuxième enquête annuelle Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing d'ETQ révèle des défis persistants dans la fabrication en 2025. Les résultats clés montrent que 70% des fabricants américains font face à des pénuries de main-d'œuvre, avec 88% signalant un impact sur la qualité des produits. L'enquête indique que 75% des organisations ont connu des rappels de produits au cours des cinq dernières années, dont 48% ont coûté entre 10 et 49,99 millions de dollars.
L'étude met en avant l'adoption croissante de l'IA dans la fabrication, avec 49% prévoyant une mise en œuvre dans les deux ans et 33% l'utilisant déjà. Les applications de l'IA se concentrent sur le traitement des documents (46%), l'automatisation des processus clés (47%) et la détection des défauts (45%). De plus, 60% des répondants prévoient d'augmenter les dépenses liées à la qualité en 2025, en investissant dans l'IA générative, les outils automatisés de gestion de la qualité et l'analyse prédictive.
Die zweite jährliche Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing Umfrage von ETQ zeigt anhaltende Herausforderungen in der Fertigung im Jahr 2025 auf. Wichtige Ergebnisse zeigen, dass 70% der US-Hersteller mit Arbeitskräftemangel konfrontiert sind, wobei 88% Auswirkungen auf die Produktqualität berichten. Die Umfrage zeigt, dass 75% der Organisationen in den letzten fünf Jahren Produktrückrufe erlebt haben, wobei 48% der Rückrufe Kosten zwischen 10 und 49,99 Millionen US-Dollar verursachten.
Die Studie hebt die zunehmende KI-Einführung in der Fertigung hervor, wobei 49% die Implementierung innerhalb von zwei Jahren planen und 33% sie bereits nutzen. KI-Anwendungen konzentrieren sich auf Dokumentenverarbeitung (46%), Kernprozessautomatisierung (47%) und Fehlererkennung (45%). Zudem planen 60% der Befragten, die qualitätsbezogenen Ausgaben 2025 zu erhöhen, indem sie in generative KI, automatisierte Qualitätsmanagement-Tools und prädiktive Analytik investieren.
- None.
- 70% of U.S. manufacturers are impacted by labor shortage
- 88% report labor shortage affecting product/service quality
- 75% experienced product recalls in past 5 years (up from 73% in 2024)
- 48% of recalls cost between $10-49.99 million each
- 41% report having 11-20 safety incidents annually
"Survey Also Reveals Shift in Role of Quality as a Strategic Revenue Driver"
In line with last year's survey, the ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2025 also revealed issues which continue to plague manufacturers around the world, including stubborn product recalls and safety incidents in the plant; and their consequences, such as damage to brand reputation, delayed product introductions, plant shutdowns and personnel lay-offs.
"The results of our annual survey get to the heart of what's happening on the frontlines, corner offices and supply chains of manufacturers across the globe," said Vick Vaishnavi, CEO, ETQ. "While this year's ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing survey revealed challenges that don't appear to be abating anytime soon, the study exposed some very encouraging trends. Virtually all mid-to-large-sized manufacturers are relying on automation – from quality management systems and software to AI and predictive analytics, to help them achieve their quality goals and overcome these challenges. In doing so, quality is becoming elevated as a key corporate revenue driver instead of a tactical measure to improve efficiency."
The ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2025 survey was conducted on behalf of ETQ by research firm Censuswide. In January/February 2025, 752 quality leaders and related project managers at manufacturing firms across the
Below are key findings from the ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2025 survey:
A persistent labor shortage is impacting most manufacturers
Seventy percent of respondents in the
Product recalls remain stubbornly high despite vigilance and oversight
Seventy-five percent of respondents said their organization had a product recall in the past five years (up from
AI investment is on the rise in manufacturing
Forty-nine percent of respondents to this year's survey plan to implement AI in the next two years (up from
- Automating document processing (
46% ) - Automating core processes (
47% ) - Spotting defects on the factory floor (
45% ) - Predicting future trends (
38% )
Investment in quality Initiatives is increasing in 2025
Sixty percent of respondents cited plans for an increase in total spend on quality in 2025. The tools and programs they will invest in include generative AI, automated quality management tools, human resources and staffing, predictive quality analytics, workforce connectivity solutions and lights out/autonomous operations.
Currently,
Safety incidents continue to impact quality, but the numbers are decreasing
Forty-one percent of respondents (down from
About the Survey Methodology
Industries represented in the survey include medium-to-large organizations in heavy manufacturing, electronics and appliances, medical device, pharma and life sciences, food & beverage, chemicals & agrosciences, logistics & distribution, transportation, automotive, aerospace & defense and other manufacturing sectors.
About ETQ
ETQ, part of Hexagon, is a leading provider of integrated quality management, health, safety, and environmental solutions for manufacturers. Firms around the world rely on ETQ to ensure optimal quality at scale, reduce costs and improve the velocity of data-driven decisions. Learn more at etq.com.
Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately
Click here to download your copy of the report: "The Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2025."
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SOURCE ETQ, LLC
FAQ
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