Manufacturers Have the Tools; They Don't Always Have the Habits

Sandvik Coromant, a specialist in machining solutions and industrial manufacturing, has published its first "Manufacturing Wellness Report." Based on responses from nearly 1,000 manufacturing companies around the world, the report gives the industry an overall Manufacturing Wellness score of 49 out of 100. The findings highlight the progress the sector has made, while also revealing a significant gap between understanding what is needed to improve performance and consistently applying that knowledge across manufacturing operations.

Sandvik Coromant first introduced the concept of Manufacturing Wellness in 2023 to describe the characteristics of a future-ready manufacturing business. The concept is defined as “the state of resilient and thriving manufacturers that are able to create a positive impact on people and society.”

The framework is built around eight habits that help companies turn good intentions into measurable progress. These include skills development, automation adoption, more effective use of data, waste reduction, collaboration with external partners, and the development of more circular processes.

The report’s findings show that manufacturers are taking steps to improve, although progress remains uneven. Nearly 1 in 4 organizations reports having no access to production or process-related data, while almost half say they do not have a clear understanding of the performance objectives set for their teams.

Sustainability is another area where good intentions have yet to be translated into formal structures. Only 19% of organizations have a formal circularity policy.

A similar situation can be seen in automation. While 69% of respondents say they use some level of automation in their manufacturing operations, other stages of their production processes remain less developed.

The research also highlights the value of collaborating with external partners. Organizations that work with third parties achieve significantly higher Manufacturing Wellness scores and are more likely to consistently apply principles aimed at improving efficiency.

Despite these shortcomings, the report shows that the manufacturing industry has a strong foundation on which to build. Many companies are collecting more data, investing in digital tools, exploring new automation opportunities, and taking steps to improve circularity.

Next Step: Better Connections

According to Sandvik Coromant, the next step is not simply to introduce more technology, but to better connect the tools, people, and processes companies already have through a clearer and more comprehensive strategy.

“The positive message from the report is that manufacturers are not starting from scratch,” says Helen Blomqvist, president of Sandvik Coromant. “Many already have the tools, technology, and ambition needed to improve performance. The opportunity now lies in ensuring these assets work together more effectively by connecting data across teams, evaluating technologies more strategically, developing skills at every level of the organization, and building stronger partnerships. Manufacturing Wellness is about helping companies turn the progress they have already made into long-term resilience.”

Alongside the report, the "Manufacturing Wellness Assessment" remains available online. This 28-question assessment, which can be completed in approximately 10 minutes, provides manufacturers with a personalized score and helps identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

Sandvik Coromant’s "Manufacturing Wellness Report" reveals that while manufacturers are increasingly investing in digital tools, automation, and sustainability initiatives, many still struggle to consistently apply these capabilities across their operations. Based on responses from nearly 1,000 manufacturers worldwide, the study highlights a gap between having access to technology and fully integrating it into daily practices. The report concludes that long-term resilience depends not only on adopting new technologies but also on connecting people, processes, skills, and data through a clear and cohesive strategy.