Automotive Industry Shifts Gears As Talent and Technology Take Center Stage
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the results of the 10th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report: Automotive Edition.” The global study encompasses the responses of 130 leaders across automotive and tire manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, engineering procurement companies and systems integrators across 15 countries, revealing a sector rapidly embracing change to stay competitive.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603797393/en/
Rockwell Automation report shows manufacturers are leaning into AI, upskilling and innovation to overcome workforce and operational challenges.
Workforce pressures have emerged as the most urgent challenge for automotive companies, signaling a significant shift from last year’s findings. At the same time, concerns around cybersecurity have declined, suggesting many manufacturers have made progress in securing their digital environments.
“The future of automotive manufacturing hinges on transformation – not just of technology, but talent,” says James Glasson, vice president, global industry, Rockwell Automation. “As AI and automation reshape the factory floor, success belongs to those who are investing in people. Upskilling and innovation are now the driving forces behind growth.”
Key global findings include:
- Workforce pressures intensify: Automotive and tire manufacturers report that the top workforce-related challenge over the next 12 months is change management (37%), ensuring employees and departments effectively adopt new technology and processes. Other key concerns include employee retention (33%), rising cost of skilled workers (36%), and difficulty finding new employees (31%).
- Tech Investment Remains Strong: Automotive and tire manufacturers continue investing in AI, production monitoring and cybersecurity. Over 62% of respondents cited long-term business impact as the primary driver of technology investment, followed by expansion or increased capacity (58%), aligning with 2025's overall findings.
- AI builds momentum: The automotive industry sees the rise of AI as less of a risk now, compared to 2023 (14% in 2025 vs. 24% in 2023) with quality control, robotics and process optimization emerging as top use cases. Automotive companies lead in planned investment for generative AI, robotic process automation (RPA) and digital tools.
- Business outcomes drive transformation: The top goals of tech adoption remain consistent – improve quality, reduce costs and lower risks related to safety, cybersecurity and compliance.
- Skills shift underway: To fill the projected 7.9 million worker gap by 2030*, manufacturers are not only investing in automation but also seeking more workers with AI experience and soft skills like communication, adaptability and analytical thinking.
The State of Smart Manufacturing Report is part of Rockwell’s broader global research initiative surveying over 1,500 manufacturing decision makers. The full findings of the report can be found here.
* “Global Talent Shortage Could Threaten Business Growth Around the World:” (Korn Ferry, 2018)
Methodology
This report is based on the responses of 130 managers and executives from automotive manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), engineering procurement companies (EPCs), and system integrators in 15 countries. It is part of the 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report, which surveyed 1,560 decision makers across various industries and was conducted in association with Sapio Research and Rockwell Automation.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603797393/en/
Contacts
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mario R. Martin
Senior Manager, Global Public Relations
Rockwell Automation
414-374-2917
MRMartin@rockwellautomation.com
(c) 2024 Business Wire, Inc., All rights reserved.
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in multiplatform press release distribution.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
IonQ och QuantumBasel förlänger sitt långsiktiga samarbete till nästa generations kvantsystem20.12.2025 21:32:00 CET | Pressmeddelande
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), världens ledande kvantdatorföretag, tillkännagav i dag ett utökat samarbetsavtal med QuantumBasel, kvantinitiativet vid uptownBasel, Schweiz internationella innovationscampus. Genom det utökade avtalet beviljas QuantumBasel äganderätten till det befintliga IonQ Forte Enterprise-systemet och blir ägare av ett nästa generationens Tempo-system. Det nya avtalet ökar det totala värdet av samarbetet mellan QuantumBasel och IonQ till över 60 miljoner USD samtidigt som IonQ:s roll i Schweiz därigenom förlängs i ytterligare fyra år, t.o.m. 2029. QuantumBasel är IonQ:s officiella innovationscenter i Europa och fungerar som ett nav för europeiska industrier, universitet och forskningsinstitut som vill utforska praktiska kvantdatortillämpningar och få tillgång till IonQ:s senaste storföretagssystem. ”Vårt förlängda samarbete med QuantumBasel utgör en hörnsten i IonQ:s globala strategi”, säger Niccolo de Masi, styrelseordförande och CEO på IonQ. ”QuantumBasel fortsätter att vara
EIG Acquires a 49.87% Stake in Transportadora de Gas del Perú (TgP)19.12.2025 18:42:00 CET | Press Release
EIG, through its managed investment vehicles, acquired a 49.87% equity stake in Transportadora de Gas del Perú S.A. (“TgP”) from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board today. TgP operates Peru’s principal natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines under a long-term concession, supplying approximately 40% of the country’s power generation. “We are delighted to complete this transaction and embark on the next chapter of our partnership with TgP,” said Matt Hartman, EIG’s Global Head of Infrastructure. “Our priority is to support TgP’s operational excellence and long-term stability, delivering value for customers and stakeholders throughout Peru.” About EIG EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $24.3 billion assets under management as of September 30, 2025. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 43-year history, EIG has committed over $51.7 billion to the energ
Klarna Partners With Coinbase to Add Stablecoin to Funding Mix19.12.2025 18:00:00 CET | Press Release
Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, has partnered with Coinbase to add stablecoin funding to its broad range of traditional sources of funding, which include consumer deposits, long-term loans and short-dated commercial paper. The digital bank plans to raise short-term funding from institutional investors denominated in USDC utilizing Coinbase’s digitally native infrastructure. Adding a USDC-denominated funding source enables Klarna to access USD-like funding directly, tapping into a new pool of institutional investors. “This is an exciting first step into a new way to raise funding,” said Niclas Neglén, Chief Financial Officer, Klarna, “Stablecoin connects us to an entirely new class of institutional investors, and gives us the potential to diversify our funding sources in ways that simply weren't possible a few years ago. This is just the beginning of how digital assets can work alongside our traditional funding sources." Klarna chose Coinbase for this ini
CyberArk Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Integrated Solutions for Identity Security 202519.12.2025 17:00:00 CET | Press Release
CyberArk (NASDAQ: CYBR), the global leader in identity security, today announced that it has been recognized as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Integrated Solutions for Identity Security 2025 Vendor Assessment. CyberArk extends dynamic privilege controls across all identity types with its unified platform, enabling organizations to improve efficiencies and streamline security operations. This IDC MarketScape report notes, “More change has occurred in the identity security marketplace in the past two years than in almost a decade. Vendors are entering a new phase defined by the emergence of intelligence technologies, none of which are specifically defined by any industry standards. Though different by design, the new adjacent IAM offerings are largely focused on improved vulnerability and threat management visibility and automated and predictive attack detection capabilities.” It also notes, “By addressing these evolving identity types within a unified framework, CyberArk enh
New York Liberty and Ant International’s Alipay+ Announce Multiyear Partnership Focused on Empowerment, Sustainability and Youth Development19.12.2025 14:30:00 CET | Press Release
The New York Liberty and Ant International’s Alipay+, a leading cross-border fintech services platform based in Singapore, today announced a multiyear partnership, making Alipay+ an Official Sponsor and Innovation Partner for Sustainability of the New York Liberty. Through this partnership, Alipay+ and the Liberty will jointly support community programs designed to advance community empowerment, environmental sustainability and youth development across New York City. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251219678825/en/ Peng Yang, CEO, Ant International and Clara Wu Tsai, Vice Chair, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment; Governor, New York Liberty “Our partnership with Alipay+ goes beyond the game,” said Keia Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, New York Liberty. “Together, we are investing in the future of New York—its people, its environment, and its youth. Ant International’s commitment to community empowerment, sustai
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom