Report: 95% of U.S. Manufacturers Plan New Automation by 2028
Summary
New research from RobCo finds 95% of U.S. industrial businesses plan to deploy new automation by 2028. The survey of 400 business leaders across manufacturing, construction, engineering and healthcare links the surge in automation to reshoring, government incentives and acute labour shortages. Adoption ranges from robots and AI-powered systems to greater digital connectivity of physical machines.
Key Points
- 95% of surveyed U.S. industrial companies plan new automation rollouts within the next three years.
- Only about one-third currently use robots, but 54% are testing or planning robot deployments.
- 47% already use some form of AI-powered automation; 94% have machines at least partly connected to digital systems.
- Benefits reported include productivity gains, time savings, reduced waste and better material/energy efficiency.
- Labour is a key driver: Deloitte estimates a need for 3.8 million industrial workers with a potential shortfall near 2 million.
- Barriers include high upfront costs (nearly half) and a 27% shortage of skilled workers to integrate and manage automation tech.
- Flexible financing is growing: leasing, state/federal grants and robots-as-a-service help lower entry costs and speed deployment.
- RobCo CEO Roman Hölzl highlights robots-as-a-service as a way to reduce risk, downtime and internal approval delays while outsourcing maintenance and updates.
- Employee and union sentiment is relatively positive: 58% of employees and 55% of unions view automation favourably.
Content summary
The RobCo study shows near-universal intent to expand automation across U.S. industrial firms as reshoring and labour shortages intensify. While current robot penetration is modest, testing and planned deployments are widespread. AI and digital connectivity are increasingly part of factory floors, with many firms already seeing quick operational benefits. High capital costs and a lack of integration skills remain obstacles, but alternative funding models and service-based robot offerings are lowering barriers. The article includes a quote from RobCo’s CEO explaining how robots-as-a-service can accelerate adoption and reduce project risk.
Context and relevance
This matters because automation choices now will shape competitiveness, supply-chain resilience and workforce roles in the coming years. Reshoring trends and government incentives are pushing firms to onshore production — but without enough workers, automation becomes essential. For operations, logistics and technology leaders, the study clarifies where investment pressure will come and why flexible funding and reskilling will be vital. It also ties into broader industry trends: more AI, greater machine connectivity and a shift toward service-led purchase models for capital equipment.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you work in manufacturing, supply chain or operations, this is one of those ‘heads-up’ pieces. Nearly every US factory is planning to automate — that affects hiring, capital planning, supplier selection and day-to-day ops. Read it to know where the pressure’s coming from and what financing and workforce moves firms are making to get ahead.
Author (style)
Punchy: this is a high-stakes trend, not a niche upgrade. The near-universal intent to automate means strategic choices now will have real operational and workforce consequences. Worth a deep read if you influence tech, capex or workforce strategy.
