Manufacturing Trend of 2026: Rethinking the Organizational Structure for a Digital Future
Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming the manufacturing workforce, and with it the structure of companies and organizations in the sector. This trend is one to watch in 2026, according to the NAM’s newest “Manufacturing Trends” report.
How it’s happening: “Manufacturers are reorganizing teams around digital workflows rather than traditional department boundaries. Cross-functional groups with engineering, operations, IT and data roles are becoming standard for technology projects and ongoing optimization efforts.”
- To adapt to these changes, companies and organizations are investing heavily in upskilling, microlearning and other ways to impart new knowledge to manufacturing employees quickly and flexibly.
What to do: Manufacturers that wish to keep pace with this trend should consider these key steps:
- Prioritizing digital fluency, data literacy and adaptive leadership to keep up with fast-changing operational developments engendered by automation and AI
- Focusing on human–machine partnerships, enabling workers to stay at the center of manufacturing and creating a strong pipeline of future-ready workers
- Ensuring that their companies can fail fast, scale easily and adapt without stalling
What they’re saying: “Whether it’s operating smart machinery, analyzing production trends or optimizing workflows, manufacturing employees are increasingly expected to navigate digital platforms and extract actionable insights. Data literacy is now essential across roles ranging from line operators to plant managers,” said Citrin Cooperman Partner Emily Richi.
- “As AI tools and autonomous systems take on repetitive tasks, the focus in manufacturing is shifting toward higher-value work that leverages uniquely human capabilities,” she added. “This trend is redefining talent acquisition: manufacturers seek candidates who bring innovative thinking, cross-disciplinary skills and the ability to work alongside intelligent machines.”
Learn more: Register for an NAM webinar on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 2:00 p.m. EST to learn more about the top trends and explore their impact on manufacturers.