Quality becomes strategic revenue driver in manufacturing: ETQ survey.

• ETQ survey reveals persistent labor shortage and growing reliance on automation. • Quality now a strategic driver for corporate revenue and business growth. • Manufacturers face challenges like product recalls and safety incidents. • Automation and AI used to offset labor shortage. • Quality is becoming more important for business growth.

The 2025 ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing survey, conducted by research firm Censuswide, has revealed significant trends in the manufacturing sector. The survey, which polled 752 quality leaders and related project managers across the U.S., U.K., and Germany, highlighted persistent labor shortages and an increasing reliance on automation and AI to address these challenges.

Labor Shortage and Automation

Seventy percent of U.S. respondents reported that their organizations are impacted by a labor shortage, with 88% indicating that the shortage has affected the quality of their products or services. To mitigate this issue, 49% of respondents plan to implement AI within the next two years, and 33% are already using it. Applications for AI include automating document processing, core processes, defect spotting, and predicting future trends [1].

Quality as a Strategic Revenue Driver

A notable shift in the survey is the elevation of quality as a strategic revenue driver rather than a tactical measure. Sixty percent of respondents plan to increase their total spend on quality in 2025, with investments in generative AI, automated quality management tools, and predictive quality analytics. The top business drivers for these investments include increased revenue, compliance, a stronger supply chain, reduced costs, and reduced risk [1].

Challenges Faced by Manufacturers

Manufacturers continue to face challenges such as product recalls and safety incidents. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported a product recall in the past five years, with 48% attributing these recalls to supply chain problems. Safety incidents also impact quality, with 41% of respondents reporting 11-to-20 incidents annually. Plant injuries are the biggest impact on poor quality, after product recalls [1].

AI and Automation in Action

Vention, a leading provider of automation solutions, is showcasing its AI-powered bin-picking robot and motion control systems at Automate 2025. MachineMotion™ AI, Vention's third-generation controller, will power the company's full booth, demonstrating real-time part recognition, selection logic, and sub-millimeter grasping. This technology illustrates the practical deployment of AI in manufacturing, enabling more autonomous and resilient factories [2].

Conclusion

The 2025 ETQ Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing survey underscores the critical role of automation and AI in addressing labor shortages and enhancing quality. As manufacturers continue to invest in these technologies, quality is becoming increasingly important for business growth and corporate revenue. The integration of AI and automation is not only a response to current challenges but also a strategic move towards a more efficient and resilient manufacturing landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/annual-etq-pulse-of-quality-in-manufacturing-survey-reveals-widespread-labor-shortage-continues-in-2025-growing-use-of-automation-ai-to-address-it-302453033.html
[2] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vention-leads-the-future-of-automation-at-automate-2025-with-ai-powered-bin-picking-robot-and-motion-control-systems-accelerated-by-nvidia-302448556.html