Confidence Through Insight: The State of U.S. Manufacturing in 2025

October 30, 2025/Mariano Torrez/ESPRIT

The U.S. manufacturing industry continues to evolve — adapting to workforce shifts, automation, and new technologies faster than ever.

Hexagon’s 2025 America’s State of Manufacturing Report surveyed 500 manufacturers across the country to understand how shops are tackling these challenges and where confidence is growing.

Here are three key takeaways that stand out for PMT customers.

The Workforce Gap Is Still the Industry’s Biggest Challenge

Only 8% of manufacturers believe they’re reskilling their teams fast enough to keep up with modern production demands. At the same time, 72% say outdated technology is hurting their ability to attract talent.

Younger generations expect advanced tools and digital environments — not spreadsheets and manual setups. At PMT, we see this firsthand. When a shop modernizes with solutions like ESPRIT, WORKNC, or NCSIMUL, not only does productivity rise, but hiring and retention improve too.

Reshoring Brings Opportunity — and Pressure

28% of manufacturers say labor shortages could derail their reshoring plans. As more companies bring production back to the U.S., efficiency becomes non-negotiable.

PMT supports this transition with technology that helps shops do more with less — from faster programming cycles to simulation tools that minimize downtime and risk.

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Moving Forward With Confidence

The outlook for 2025 is optimistic. U.S. manufacturers are investing in people, technology, and process improvement — building the foundation for a stronger, more innovative industry.

If you’d like to see where your shop stands compared to others, download Hexagon’s full report below.

📘 Download the 2025 State of Manufacturing Report
Data source: Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Want to take the next step?

The report shows that many manufacturers are still working to close the gap between technology and workforce readiness. At PMT, we help shops bridge that gap every day through On-Demand Training for ESPRIT, WORKNC, and NCSIMUL. Our goal is to make advanced manufacturing tools easier to learn, easier to adopt, and easier to master.

If your team could benefit from guided, self-paced lessons designed by real applications engineers, explore our On-Demand Training programs below.

👉 View PMT’s On-Demand Training Options