Manufacturing has the tools to transform, but not always the habits, Sandvik Coromant report finds

The figure points to progress, but also a clear gap between recognising what good performance looks like and embedding it consistently across operations.

Sandvik Coromant first introduced manufacturing wellness in 2023 as a way to describe what a healthy, future-ready manufacturing business looks like. It defines the concept as “the state of resilient, thriving manufacturing companies that have a positive impact on people and societies.” At its core are eight habits that help manufacturers move from good intentions to measurable progress, from developing people and embracing automation to using data more effectively, reducing waste, working with strong partners and building more circular operations.

The report suggests manufacturers are taking steps to improve, but progress remains uneven. Nearly one in four organisations report having no access to manufacturing or process-related data, while almost half say they do not have a clear understanding of the performance targets set for their teams. 

Sustainability is another area where intent is not yet translating into structure, with only 19% of organisations reporting a formal circularity policy. Automation follows a similar pattern. While 69% of respondents report at least some automation in manufacturing operations, other stages remain less advanced.

The research also highlights the value of external partnerships, with organisations that collaborate with third-party partners scoring significantly higher on overall manufacturing wellness and are more likely to apply efficiency principles consistently.

"Our first global manufacturing wellness report shows an industry with strong foundations, but also significant unrealised potential," said Helen Blomqvist, president of Sandvik Coromant. "Manufacturers are collecting data, investing in technology and identifying skills gaps. The challenge now is to connect these efforts into a structured approach that improves performance across the whole value chain."

Despite these gaps, the report points to a manufacturing sector with solid foundations for progress. Many manufacturers are already collecting more data, investing in digital tools, exploring automation and taking steps to improve circularity. Sandvik Coromant argues that the next stage is not simply to adopt more technology, but to connect existing tools, people and processes through a clearer, more holistic strategy.

"The positive message from the report is that manufacturers are not starting from zero," said Blomqvist. "Many already have the tools, technologies and ambition they need to improve performance. The opportunity now is to make those assets work harder by connecting data across teams, reviewing technology more deliberately, developing people at every level and building stronger partnerships. Manufacturing wellness is about helping companies turn existing progress into long-term resilience."

Alongside the report, Sandvik Coromant’s manufacturing wellness assessment remains available online. The 28-question tool takes around ten minutes to complete and provides manufacturers with their own score, helping them identify strengths and improvement areas across their production set-up.

You can download the full manufacturing wellness report here. To take a manufacturing wellness assessment and learn more about your facility, visit the Sandvik Coromant website here.