Report: How AI Became Crucial to Supply Chain Resilience

Fictiv and MISUMI have unveiled the 11th Annual State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report, offering insights into how the sector is adapting to disruption.

The past few years have brought market volatility, geopolitical instability and rising complexity across global supply chains. As a result, AI adoption has emerged as a cornerstone of operational resilience and efficiency, becoming central to supply chain strategy and manufacturing operations.

“97% of leaders are saying AI is already embedded in core workflows,” comments Nate Evans, Co-Founder & Head of Climate/AI at Fictiv. “The question is no longer if you use AI but how and to what extent.”

Engineering teams are feeling the pressure of administrative workloads, with 83% reporting they spend four or more hours each week on procurement-related tasks. Offloading these tasks to AI can significantly improve productivity, with 93% of leaders confirming efficiency gains when administrative workflows are automated.

Many anticipate AI-driven productivity improvements of 50% or more, as processes are redesigned around automation and predictive analytics.

AI is also helping companies navigate complexity. Planning, sourcing and production workflows are increasingly interconnected, making real-time insights critical for balancing cost, quality and time-to-market.

Digital platforms integrated with AI allow manufacturers to streamline operations, reduce errors and enhance decision-making across global networks.

Resilient sourcing strategies

Supply chain resilience remains a priority, particularly in sourcing. Around 81% of leaders find supplier sourcing and management increasingly time-consuming and costly, rising from 73% in 2025.

Businesses are turning to unified digital platforms that combine standard and custom component sourcing to reduce complexity and accelerate delivery.

Leaders are prioritising quality management, design-for-manufacturing support and costing and engineering services to optimise operations. Regional production strategies, including onshoring and nearshoring, are also gaining traction.

Companies in EV, MedTech and Climate Tech sectors are diversifying sourcing while increasing localised manufacturing, reflecting a broader push towards resilient supply chains.

Sustainability in manufacturing

While AI and digitalisation drive efficiency, sustainability is becoming a key consideration. In 2026, 73% of respondents rated sustainable practices as 'very important', with 96% integrating sustainability into sourcing decisions.

Larger companies are more likely to have formal governance structures in place, particularly in the ClimateTech and EV industries.

Sustainable supply chains are no longer a peripheral concern. Organisations are recognising that environmentally conscious practices contribute to long-term resilience, reduce risk and align with stakeholder expectations.

“Global manufacturing has entered a new phase where quality, compliance and transparency are non-negotiable,” says Ryusei Ono, Representative Director and President at MISUMI. 

“This research reflects what we see across our customer base: a growing expectation for consistent performance at scale amid increasing regional, regulatory and technological complexity.”

AI-enabled tools are also being leveraged to track emissions, optimise materials use and support greener production methods.

Fictiv and MISUMI’s report shows that AI and digital platforms are no longer optional but essential to maintaining competitiveness. 

Companies embracing automation, predictive analytics and sustainable practices are better equipped to meet market demand, mitigate supply chain risk and drive innovation.

By combining AI-driven efficiency with strategic sourcing and sustainability, the manufacturing sector is transforming itself for a more resilient and responsible future.