The 2026 Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing report surveyed 2,263 quality professionals across the US, UK and Germany to uncover how manufacturers are navigating the twin pressures of workforce shortages and tariff disruption. The findings reveal an industry at a turning point. 65% are increasing quality spend while 24% are cutting it and both sides are making rational bets with real consequences.
In this report, you’ll discover:
- Why 86% of manufacturers say the workforce shortage has directly hurt product quality
- The year-over-year shift that nearly doubled the share of manufacturers viewing quality as a strategic initiative
- Where AI adoption jumped 14 points in a single year and what the shop floor actually needs it to do
- The investment, tool and leadership gaps standing between quality teams and better outcomes