The Tech Gap Threatening American Manufacturing: What Consumers and Workers Think About Technology in US Manufacturing in 2025

American manufacturing is having a moment. Reshoring is accelerating, federal investment is pouring in, and consumers are showing renewed interest in products made in the USA. However, current tariffs are significantly impacting the sector, diverting nearly 5% of total manufacturing revenue to tariff expenses. This financial strain underscores the importance of strategic investments in technology and IT to remain competitive.

The 2025 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Readiness Report: Ready to Lead? reveals key findings from our nationwide survey, signaling that many U.S. factories may not be technologically ready to capitalize on this momentum. This report explores how outdated systems, weak cybersecurity, and delayed IT investment are creating real vulnerabilities—not just to operations, but to workforce stability and consumer trust. IT companies like Integris are acutely aware of these challenges and emphasize the need for continuous technological advancements to navigate the competitive landscape.

The survey gathered responses from 700 U.S. consumers and 300 manufacturing employees, ranging from plant managers and senior executives to front-line factory workers. The results reveal a disconnect between the desire to support American manufacturing and the readiness of many manufacturers to meet consumer expectations.

Key Findings

• 75% of U.S. consumers said they have a preference for U.S-made goods—one that has increased as a result of global supply-chain disruptions since the COVID era. 

• 62% of consumers, however, said that other factors, such as quality and price, ultimately matter more in their purchase decisions. 

• 91% of consumers said they are concerned about cybersecurity threats to U.S. manufacturers, with 30% saying they are “very” or “extremely” concerned.

• 47% of those expressing concern about cyberattacks pointed to potential threats from foreign countries such as Russia and China as a cause for anxiety.

• 51% of manufacturing employees believe U.S. factories are falling behind global competitors in technology modernization and automation.

• Only 26% of manufacturing workers say their company’s tech is even “somewhat advanced”—with an equal number calling it “very” or “somewhat” outdated.

• 1 in 5 employees say they’ve seen colleagues leave due to outdated systems.

• 57% of manufacturing managers and executives cited cost as their biggest barrier to investing in IT modernization and cybersecurity.

American-Made Matters—But It’s Not Enough

According to the survey, 36% of consumers said they strongly prefer to buy American-made products whenever possible, and another 39% said they somewhat prefer them. That means nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers generally favor domestically produced goods—a major advantage for American manufacturers.

But that support isn’t unconditional. A quarter of consumers said they would not pay more for U.S.-made products, and 92% said they would only pay a premium of 10% or less. This signals that “Made in America” has worth—but only when it is backed by products of superior quality and value.

Consumers also shared concerns about the technological readiness of U.S. manufacturers as more jobs are reshored. A quarter of respondents cited technology as an area where manufacturers most need to improve. When asked whether they believed U.S. manufacturers were investing the right amount in new technology and IT to stay competitive, nearly one-third of respondents (31%) said they weren’t investing enough. Meanwhile, 27% of consumers said they would be more likely to buy products from a manufacturer that invested in the latest technologies.

In short: patriotism might open the door, but performance and value still close the sale.

 

Consumers Are Worried About Cybersecurity

In today’s geopolitical climate, cybersecurity isn’t just an enterprise IT issue—it’s part of the public conversation. And increasingly, consumers are factoring security into their expectations of manufacturers.

The survey found that 91% of consumers are concerned about cyberattacks affecting U.S. manufacturers, with 30% saying they are “very” or “extremely” concerned. When asked why, respondents cited product safety, supply chain disruptions, and the risk of personal data exposure. Nearly half (47%) expressed concern that foreign countries such as Russia or China might hack or sabotage U.S. manufacturers.

This aligns with a series of high-profile ransomware attacks on U.S. manufacturers between 2023 and 2025. Incidents targeting companies like Boeing, Clorox, and Dole have heightened awareness of the operational and reputational risks involved. As more headlines emerge, manufacturers that fail to visibly strengthen cybersecurity could face brand erosion—even without a direct breach.

 Workers Confirm the Tech Gap

Our survey of 300 manufacturing employees proved consumer concerns to be well-founded. Most strikingly, 51% of respondents said they believe U.S. manufacturers are falling behind global competitors when it comes to modernization and automation. An ever greater percentage of the managers and executives surveyed—54%—hold this view.

When asked, “What is the biggest challenge your company faces in staying competitive in manufacturing?” both manufacturing leaders and front-line workers pointed to technology—from automation to IT systems—as a key area of concern.

One manager said it’s a balancing act of “adapting to fast-evolving technologies while managing costs effectively.”

Only 26% described their company’s technology as even “somewhat advanced,” with 67% describing it as either average (42%) or outdated (26%). The sentiment was consistent across plant size and role, indicating that even leadership-level employees see the issue firsthand.

And it’s not just consumers who are worried about cybersecurity. Nearly half of workers said they were either “not confident” or only “somewhat confident” in their employer’s ability to prevent cyberattacks. A quarter of respondents shared that their own company had experienced cybersecurity threats or breaches in the preceding 12 months.

Many manufacturers face growing expectations to meet a range of cybersecurity and compliance standards—yet are often reluctant to invest in IT until it’s absolutely necessary.

Our experts often see manufacturers dealing with “sticker shock” when they finally confront these requirements, which may include:

• CMMC: Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification for those with DoD contracts

• ISO 27001: Common for manufacturing cybersecurity compliance

• NIST: Frequently required by supply chain partners

• HIPAA: For medical manufacturers handling protected health data

Failure to meet these standards can disqualify manufacturers from contracts, expose them to fines, or damage their reputations.

The Hidden Cost of Legacy Tech: Talent Loss

Among manufacturing managers and executives, 57% cited cost as their biggest barrier to investing in IT modernization and cybersecurity. But 54% of workers overall cited “lack of technical skills” as one of the main obstacles to improvement.

The cost of training, and downtime associated with it, has inhibited progress. Nearly three fourths (74%) of workers say their company either has either not invested (23%) or not invested enough (51%) in workforce training and upskilling for new technology.

The lack of investment in technology—and the training that goes with it—has resulted in increased employee turnover. One in five workers surveyed (21%) said their company has lost employees specifically due to outdated technology or a lack of automation.

To keep pace, U.S. manufacturers need to:

Replace outdated hardware and software systems

Legacy systems are more than just inefficient—they’re a liability. Outdated technology hampers productivity, creates vulnerabilities in cybersecurity, and frustrates workers who are accustomed to more intuitive tools in their daily lives. Modernizing core systems means:

• Phasing out obsolete equipment and unsupported software

• Integrating automation and IoT technologies to streamline production

• Ensuring compatibility between systems to eliminate information silos.

This upgrade isn’t just about performance. It’s about resilience and responsiveness in a volatile market.

Invest in scalable, secure IT infrastructure

As threats grow and operations expand, manufacturers need IT environments that are both flexible and fortified. This includes:

• Cloud-based platforms that support real-time data access and remote monitoring

• Cybersecurity frameworks that meet evolving compliance standards (e.g., CMMC, ISO 27001, NIST)

• Backup and recovery solutions to minimize operational downtime in the event of a breach or disaster

Scalability ensures that investments made today can support the growth and innovation of tomorrow, without requiring a full overhaul each time the business evolves.

Train employees on cybersecurity and automation tools

Technology alone isn’t a solution, it’s the people behind it who determine success. Training is a critical, and often overlooked, component of tech readiness. Manufacturers must:

• Develop structured onboarding and upskilling programs for new technologies

• Offer ongoing cybersecurity awareness training for all levels of the organization

• Empower employees to troubleshoot issues and innovate within their roles using digital tools

A well-trained workforce reduces the risk of human error, increases adoption of new systems, and boosts retention in an industry grappling with talent loss.

Communicate their modernization plans internally

One of the most underutilized levers for successful transformation is communication. Change can often be met with resistance, not because employees oppose it, but because they don’t understand it. Leadership must:

• Clearly articulate the “why” behind modernization efforts

• Regularly update staff on progress and impact

• Involve employees in solution design where possible, particularly those on the front lines

This transparency builds trust, strengthens morale, and ensures alignment across departments as technology becomes more deeply embedded into daily operations.

Integris supports these goals by helping manufacturers assess their current systems, close security gaps, and implement solutions that align with industry standards.

There’s no shortage of goodwill for American manufacturing. But as this survey shows, goodwill isn’t enough. Consumers expect more. Workers deserve more. And if manufacturers want to lead again, they’ll need to build it—not just with steel, but with strategy.