Access Is the New Manufacturing Advantage: Xometry Releases 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook
Xometry (NASDAQ: XMTR) released its 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook, examining manufacturing capacity, artificial intelligence investment and specialised skills in Europe.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Xometry (NASDAQ: XMTR) released its 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook, examining manufacturing capacity, artificial intelligence investment and specialised skills in Europe. The analysis draws on a survey of 200 manufacturing executives in France and Germany, benchmarked against 150 executives in the United States.
The survey reported returns on AI investment of 60% in France and 41% in Germany, with Germany spending more overall. Manufacturing capacity utilisation was approximately 76% in Europe versus 77% in the United States; 37% of European manufacturers with revenue below €50 million operated below 70% capacity. Price increases led to lost business for 11% of French firms and 17% of German firms, compared with 20% in the United States. Demand for specialised CNC and CAM programming roles was reported at 49% in France and 44% in Germany.
Key Figures
- Survey sample
- 200 manufacturing executives in France and Germany; 150 executives in the U.S.
- 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook
- AI return on investment
- 60% ROI
- France
- AI return on investment
- 41% ROI
- Germany
- Overall capacity rates
- ~76% in Europe vs 77% in the U.S.
- Reported manufacturing capacity rates
- Small manufacturers below 70% capacity
- 37%
- European manufacturers with under €50M in revenue
- Price adjustments linked to lost business
- 11% in France, 17% in Germany, and 20% in the U.S.
- Manufacturers reporting pushback leading to lost business
- Demand for specialized technical roles
- 49% in France and 44% in Germany
- Demand for CNC and CAM programmers
Key Terms
cbam regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Industrial firms across Europe are turning to AI-powered networks for manufacturing capacity, quality proof, and specialised engineering skills
MUNICH, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ: XMTR), the global AI-native marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers of custom manufacturing, today released its EMEA Manufacturing Outlook, a forward-looking analysis of the forces shaping the manufacturing industry for 2027. The report draws on a survey of 200 manufacturing executives in France and Germany, benchmarked against 150 executives in the U.S.
The findings highlight that while European manufacturing order books remain strong, companies pulling ahead in 2027 are those extending their reach beyond their own shop floor to tap external capacity, verified quality, and technical expertise on demand.
"Resilience is about choice," said Oscar Lovera, Chief Operations Officer at Xometry. "Market conditions shift constantly, whether it's tariffs, geopolitical moves, or capacity constraints. The manufacturers who stay ahead are those who secure flexible options long before they need to use them."
Key Takeaways from the 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook:
- Manufacturing's AI Payoff Is Upstream. The highest returns on AI occur before production begins. European manufacturers are finding that targeted application in pricing, quoting, and automated DFM reviews outweighs total spend. This is evidenced by France achieving a
60% ROI on modest outlays, compared to Germany’s41% ROI despite leading the region in overall investment. - Europe's Manufacturing Capacity Is Hiding in Small Shops. Europe and the U.S. operate at similar overall capacity rates (~
76% in Europe vs77% in the U.S.), but European spare capacity is heavily concentrated in smaller suppliers.37% of European manufacturers with under€50M in revenue operate below70% capacity. Regulatory requirements such as CBAM and the EU AI Act make pre-qualified digital networks essential for unlocking idle machine time. - Supplier Optionality Is the New Sourcing Advantage. European manufacturers raised prices just as often as U.S. firms, but faced far less pushback leading to lost business (
11% in France and17% in Germany vs20% in the U.S.). European buyers accept price adjustments because they prioritise risk reduction and certainty over finding the cheapest quote, paying strong premiums for verified quality and DFM support. - Manufacturing Needs Skills, Not Just Headcount. The labour challenge across Europe is a specialisation deficit rather than a simple headcount issue. Demand remains heavily concentrated in specialised technical roles like CNC and CAM programmers (
49% in France,44% in Germany). While higher wages help attract talent, pay alone cannot resolve structural shortages, leading top firms to access specialised skills on demand.
"Price matters, but confidence is what closes the deal today," said Marc Somsen, Vice President of Sales EMEA at Xometry. "Whether it’s DFM support for complex designs, guaranteed part quality, or lead times you can trust, buyers want certainty. The real advantage comes from giving them that operational confidence alongside fair, transparent pricing."
Download the full 2027 EMEA Manufacturing Outlook.
About Xometry
Xometry’s (NASDAQ: XMTR) AI-native marketplace, popular Thomasnet® industrial sourcing platform, and suite of cloud-based services are rapidly digitizing the manufacturing industry. Xometry provides manufacturers the critical resources they need to grow their businesses and streamlines the procurement process for buyers through real-time pricing and lead time data. Learn more at xometry.com, xometry.eu, or follow Xometry on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Lauran Cacciatori
VP Communications
773-610-0806
lauran.cacciatori@xometry.com
Investor Contact
Shawn Milne
VP Investor Relations
240-335-8132
shawn.milne@xometry.com
