The manufacturing outlook for this year has some key trends that will shape the industry over the next 12 months. Technology will play a key part in how manufacturers operate and will be instrumental in enabling them to overcome their industry challenges.
In this blog, we identify the key trends manufacturers can leverage in 2025 to increase efficiency, improve accuracy, reduce downtime, and get products to market quicker.
1. Sustainable manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is responsible for more than one-fifth of carbon emissions, and while some progress has been made towards reducing these levels, there is still a big effort required to achieve net zero targets.
A survey carried out by Make UK found that sustainable manufacturing companies enjoy substantial business advantages, with 40% reporting increased profit margins and 30% increased competitiveness.
Technology solutions will help businesses to develop more sustainable manufacturing practices. In particular, design automation solutions enable manufacturers to reduce bottlenecks and streamline processes, resulting in reduced volumes of rework and wastage.
Improved levels of data monitoring and reporting will enable manufacturers to better understand sustainability metrics and identify areas for improvement where eco-friendly manufacturing practices can be adopted.
2. Localized manufacturing

In response to continuing global supply chain challenges and a shift in consumer attitudes, manufacturers will increasingly review the benefits of a decentralized, more localized approach to production. Local manufacturing models offer a number of advantages, including reduced risk of delays and lower transport costs.
With a shift in consumer attitude towards a preference for locally produced items, a localized manufacturing strategy will provide a competitive advantage over remote larger competitors who have less affinity with the local market and are more likely to experience supply chain challenges.
Manufacturers will increasingly review the benefits of bringing production closer to home, with trends towards reducing dependence on overseas suppliers. Decentralized manufacturing reduces lead times, promotes local employment, and ensures better quality control.
3. Employee recruitment & retention

Employee recruitment and retention will be an ongoing challenge in 2025.
The combination of an aging manufacturing workforce together with outdated perceptions of low technology adoption, has led to a growing manufacturing skills gap.
Digital transformation will play an important role in changing outdated perceptions of manufacturing and making a career in manufacturing more attractive to a younger demographic. The adoption of digital technology will change the manufacturing landscape, making a career in manufacturing more appealing to a wider audience.
Equally important will be the adoption of digital tools by the current manufacturing workforce. Technical skills training will upskill existing employees, leading to improved retention rates and higher job satisfaction.
4. Customization

Customer demand for customized products will continue to grow and manufacturers of custom products face the challenge of meeting increasingly complex consumer needs and expectations.
To efficiently configure, design, and sell custom products, more manufacturers will adopt digital technologies to automate repetitive design tasks, streamline operations, and simplify configuring and quoting custom products.
3D product configurator and guided selling technology will enable manufacturers to meet the needs of the increasing number of self-serve B2B buyers who want to buy online in 2025.
See how DriveWorks technology can help you leverage manufacturing trends in 2025
DriveWorks technology is designed to help manufacturers of all sizes and offers a suite of automation and configuration solutions tailored to meet a wide range of requirements. DriveWorks technology solutions are scalable and flexible, enabling companies to evolve their automation efforts as their business needs change.
Using DriveWorks design automation technology, repetitive tasks, and costly errors are eliminated, enabling streamlined operations that drive sales growth. Using DriveWorks 3D product configurator and CPQ solutions, design engineers, sales teams, distributors, and customers collaborate seamlessly enabling the design, customization, and ordering of products on any device, anytime.
Discover how DriveWorks software can help you configure, design, sell, and manufacture custom products faster and more accurately in 2025.