AI has crossed a threshold in manufacturing. The technology is becoming embedded in how manufacturers make decisions about real parts, costs, and production — for example, providing DFM feedback or making material and finish suggestions.
The next phase of AI innovation in manufacturing will be defined by how effectively that intelligence reaches engineers and buyers before production even begins.
Xometry Chief Technology Officer Vaidy Raghavan talks about how AI is changing the manufacturing process from design through production.
51%
Manufacturability and costing
Manufacturability and costing
51%
47%
Quality control and inspection
Quality control and inspection
47%
32%
Production execution
Production execution
32%
25%
Supplier selection and qualification
Supplier selection and qualification
25%
Available manufacturing capacity isn't evenly distributed: About 44% of manufacturers with less than $50 million in revenue are operating below 70% capacity, compared with just 16% of manufacturers with more than $100 million in revenue. Among underutilized shops, 48% say finding enough work is their biggest obstacle to winning new business.
Small manufacturers have the opportunity to turn open capacity into revenue by reaching beyond their existing customer base. That’s where certifications and manufacturing marketplaces come in.
Xometry Senior Vice President of Commercial Silpa Gollapalli talks about the opportunity to connect more of America's manufacturing capacity with the companies that need it.
Our business has grown significantly since becoming a Xometry Partner. In the last four years, we've doubled revenue every year as a result.
Michael McLaughlin
Co-Owner, 22MetalWorks
Xometry Chief Operations Officer, International Oscar Lovera discusses how procurement teams should rethink sourcing as supply chains become more complex.
3.4x
more value generated with certified work
Pricing pressure is changing the sourcing equation. Procurement teams can negotiate prices, but they can't control driving forces such as material costs, tariffs, and labor. Ninety-four percent of manufacturers expect to raise prices again in 2027.
Access to a broader base of qualified suppliers gives buyers more options. Clear pricing makes those alternatives easier to compare, and suppliers that provide strong DFM support can help buyers understand the cost and manufacturing implications of different approaches before they order. These points of access give buyers far more negotiating power when conditions change.
94%
of manufacturers expect to raise prices in 2027
61%
Verified quality
Verified quality
61%
48%
DFM support
DFM support
48%
34%
Expedited delivery
Expedited delivery
34%
Xometry Chief Financial Officer James Miln outlines what matters most to buyers when choosing a manufacturing partner.
Manufacturing’s labor challenge is increasingly about more than just headcount — it’s about access to specialized skills. As production systems become more automated and software-driven, companies need workers who can operate, evaluate, and improve those systems. Some of that expertise can be hired, while some will have to be developed internally or accessed through technology and external resources.
In 2027, workforce planning should extend beyond the hiring plan. Manufacturers are already building relationships with schools and training programs, investing in automation, and developing more technical capabilities inside their existing teams.
Thomas General Manager Rachel Zepernick talks about evolving labor needs as artificial intelligence and advanced machinery become standard across the manufacturing industry.
34%
AI and automation operators
AI and automation operators
34%
31%
Quality engineers
Quality engineers
31%
29%
Maintenance technicians
Maintenance technicians
29%
23%
Machinists
Machinists
23%
20%
CNC programmers
CNC programmers
20%
Discover the key trends and strategies shaping manufacturing in 2027 to stay ahead of the competition and drive growth.
Xometry connects manufacturing capacity with real production data to price, evaluate, and source custom parts across one global marketplace.
