Ep 13: The 2025 State of NE Wisconsin Manufacturing Report

In this episode of The Changeover Podcast, host Greg Linnemanstons sits down with Ann Franz, Executive Director of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA). Ann discusses the latest findings from the 15th Annual Manufacturing Vitality Index, Industry 4.0 trends, and strategies to tackle workforce challenges. From insights into how manufacturers are adopting AI and automation to practical advice on improving collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for leaders in the manufacturing sector.

Episode Highlights:

Key Findings from the 2024 Manufacturing Vitality Index:

• 93% of manufacturers report being financially healthy

• 66% expect higher sales in 2025

• Over 40% plan to hire in Q1 and Q2 of 2025

Addressing Workforce Challenges:

• A decline in companies reporting difficulty finding talent, yet still a challenge (58% vs. 84% the previous year)

• How upskilling current employees is helping bridge the skills gap

• Innovative approaches to attract K-12 students to manufacturing careers

Industry 4.0 and the Future of Manufacturing:

• The rise of generative AI: 67% of companies plan to invest in this technology

• The critical role of cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IoT in modern manufacturing

• Real-life examples of how VR and AI are transforming training and operations

Notable Quotes:

"AI is not going to take your job away, but you'll take the job away of the person who doesn't know how to use AI."

"Companies aren't afraid to share and learn from each other because they're not competing just with the guy down the street, but globally."

“If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”

Get the results of NEWMA’s surveys here:

https://newmfgalliance.org/2025-northeast-wisconsin-manufacturing-vitality-index/

https://newmfgalliance.org/industry-4-0-talent-technology-survey-2024/

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Connect with our host and guest:

Greg Linnemanstons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greglinnemanstons/

Guest: Ann Franz, Executive Director of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-franz-81b9424/

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