January 28, 2025 by Dan Braley, FSME, CAMT It’s always valuable to take a step back and reflect on the current state of manufacturing in the United States and abroad. What are the major hurdles we can expect to face? What significant advancements and exciting developments have we seen over the past year? What excites me most about the future of manufacturing in 2025 and beyond? The manufacturing industry has made great strides in technological advancement. We’re seeing regular developments in advanced robotics, augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), predictive maintenance, collaborative robots (cobots), 3D printing (additive manufacturing), digital twins, the “industrial metaverse,” sustainability, and decarbonization. These advancements have contributed to increased efficiency, customization, and improved quality control through data analysis and automation. As an engineer working in aerospace sustainment, I’ve witnessed how these technologies have disrupted traditional manufacturing approaches, enabling faster and more customized advanced manufacturing solutions for my customers. At the same time, the manufacturing environment has faced significant challenges due to various global disruptors, including geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, rising energy costs, and regulatory changes. These factors have impacted the availability of raw materials like titanium and magnesium, forcing the United States to tap into national stockpiles to meet demand. Forgings, castings, and extrusions have become increasingly difficult to procure. Compounding the issue, there is also a decline in manufacturing suppliers, as well as a noticeable lack of interest among the next generation of engineers and apprentices to work these types of manufacturing jobs. With challenges, however, come opportunities. As a direct result of long lead times and a saturated traditional supply chain, there has been a surge in large-scale and hybrid additive manufacturing for structural applications. These 3D printed parts are augmenting and supplementing the traditional supply chain. The boom in AM designs has driven an uptick in the need for generative design software, data analytics, AI, and other advanced analytical software tools. In regards to building the future manufacturing workforce, I foresee a more targeted effort in middle and high schools to spark interest in traditional STEM fields—particularly manufacturing. Programs like SME PRIME® schools are already taking steps in this direction, but there is much more work to be done. Manufacturing cannot sustain itself when the rate of retirees greatly exceeds the number of new engineers, technicians, and apprentices entering the field. This is especially critical in the forging, casting, and extrusion sectors. We need to tackle this problem directly by engaging with schools and showing students that “manufacturing is cool”! SME’s Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge is also addressing this issue, but as a community we need to do a much better job of explaining what a typical day in the life of a manufacturing engineer entails, as well as how roles vary across industries. As the 2025 SME Member Council Chair, one of our top priorities is to expand and diversify SME’s membership base to drive meaningful change and address the skills gap. What better way to accomplish this than by building a strong base of young and emerging professionals? This will help sustain both the manufacturing industry and SME itself for decades to come. If you’re not a member of SME, I encourage you to get involved today. We’ve enhanced our value proposition for individuals, corporations, colleges, and universities, and we’re actively working to connect student leaders with seasoned professionals and corporate members. By working together, we can ensure that the future of manufacturing is bright.
