Key trends reshaping manufacturing in 2025 amid supply chain volatility revealed in new report from Info-Tech Research Group

The report outlines the key trends reshaping the sector and the strategic responses that IT leaders are prioritising.

Toronto, July 28, 2025 – With emerging market signals pointing to renewed disruption and volatility across supply chains, the non-durable goods manufacturing industry is confronting its most significant operational challenges since the height of the pandemic, according to insights from Info-Tech Research Group. In its newly published report, The Future of Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, the global IT research and advisory firm outlines how the sector is under mounting pressure due to strict compliance requirements, evolving consumer expectations, economic strain, geopolitical instability, and global talent shortages.

The research insights in Info-Tech's report reveal that CIOs are taking on a pivotal role in reshaping strategies to help manufacturers stay competitive. With regulatory frameworks such as the EU's GPSR and ESPR, along with emerging AI and data privacy legislation in the US and Europe, tighter operational oversight is becoming increasingly crucial. At the same time, global trade volatility and inflation are prompting IT leaders to prioritise agility, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

"The industry is being pushed to evolve faster than ever before, and digital transformation is no longer aspirational," says Shreyas Shukla, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "For manufacturers to stay viable in this uncertain and volatile environment, they need to modernise production, stabilise supply chains, and build the infrastructure necessary to meet increasingly complex regulatory, consumer, and operational demands."

Drawing on extensive industry analysis and expert guidance, Info-Tech's Future of Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing report identifies four transformative trends that are redefining the future of non-durable goods manufacturing. The following trends are not only driving innovation and operational improvements but are also helping CIOs future-proof their organisations against rising uncertainty and volatility:

Artificial Intelligence: CIOs are turning to AI to optimise production workflows, enhance demand forecasting, and implement predictive maintenance. Generative AI is revolutionising product design and enabling made-to-order manufacturing and mass customisation. These capabilities are helping to reduce costs and improve quality while also delivering faster, more personalised customer experiences.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): IIoT deployments are expanding as manufacturers connect people, products, and machines to drive efficiency. CIOs are leveraging real-time data and automation to reduce downtime, extend asset lifecycles, and support more informed operational decisions, forming the backbone of smart and innovative factory initiatives.

Adaptive Supply Chains: In response to trade disputes, tariffs, and global shocks, IT leaders are enabling supply chain agility through technologies like digital twins, predictive analytics, and real-time tracking. Strategic moves like nearshoring and friendshoring are helping reduce risk, stabilise pricing, and support more resilient global operations.

Policy, Regulation, and Compliance: With the regulatory landscape becoming more complex, from ESG mandates to AI legislation, CIOs are prioritising compliance automation, predictive analytics, and data governance frameworks. These investments enable cost control, improve reporting, and unlock competitive advantage while ensuring safety and transparency.

To support CIOs in navigating disruption and building forward-looking strategies, Info-Tech's The Future of Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing report outlines how aligning digital transformation efforts with sustainability, agility, and compliance initiatives can help unlock value and position organisations for long-term success. The research insights provide a structured approach to innovation management and support the development of both digital business and IT strategies within manufacturing organisations.