Manufacturers worldwide are experiencing increasing pressure to modernize supply chains and workflow management in response to continual disruptions. Companies are leveraging digital platforms not only to streamline their operations, but also to address recognized shortages of skilled labor in manufacturing. As business expectations shift, the role of artificial intelligence and automation is expanding rapidly to provide the speed, predictability, and resilience organizations now seek for global competitiveness.
MISUMI’s acquisition of Fictiv in 2025 brought further consolidation in the industrial supply and digital manufacturing sector, with the $350 million deal combining longstanding expertise with agile digital capabilities. Earlier coverage of MISUMI and Fictiv focused primarily on their respective component and prototyping offerings, with less emphasis on how digitalization and AI impact workforce productivity and reshoring strategies. Recent reports now highlight increased urgency around AI adoption and operational automation, reflecting changing market demands and tighter supply chain requirements.
How Are Leaders Adopting AI and Digital Manufacturing?
Survey findings indicate that nearly all executives in manufacturing and supply chain leadership now view artificial intelligence as a foundational requirement. The integration of platforms like those from MISUMI and Fictiv allows for configurable, custom, and standard components to be managed with increased precision. Dave Evans, CEO of Fictiv and president of MISUMI Americas, commented,
“You can’t get to high levels of quality, cost, and time without automation, and I’ve seen firsthand how robots don’t replace jobs but drive productivity.”
Why Does Digitalization Matter for Productivity?
Digital manufacturing platforms are gaining prominence, with 97% of surveyed leaders identifying them as essential to boosting production. These tools connect design, engineering, and production divisions, compressing cycle times and reducing the need for manual interventions. The report notes that most respondents expect AI to generate at least 50% productivity improvement, while some anticipate even greater gains as tasks are redefined around new technology.
What Management Issues Do Companies Continue to Face?
Despite progress, organizations contend with persistent supplier sourcing challenges, tariff complexities, and rising material costs. Operational leaders are seeking ways to simplify procurement—83% of engineers spend four or more hours weekly on procurement workflows. MISUMI and Fictiv’s platform enhancements address these pain points by integrating automation and tariff management. Evans shared,
“Our belief at Fictiv is in humans plus machines. As we simplify sourcing for complex mechanical products, speeding time to revenue, we’ll see more innovation.”
The industry’s move towards fully digital strategies is now widely acknowledged, with greater attention to localized production and resilience. Nearly all surveyed leaders highlight the value of managed manufacturing services in addressing volatility and supporting product development agility. Increased digitalization is coupled with an expectation for greater transparency, compliance, and adaptability to evolving global conditions.
For manufacturers and supply chain professionals, these trends suggest evaluating current digital infrastructure and AI capabilities is critical. Organizations may benefit by prioritizing platforms that connect operational silos, automate sourcing and compliance tasks, and support both standard and custom part management. While labor automation and reshoring are gaining ground, balancing new tech adoption with human expertise and robust supplier networks will be central to success in the coming years.
