The team from Manufacturing Insiders hit the road recently to attend the expansive and impressive FABTECH 2025 show in Chicago. As the first major expo attended in recent years, it was incredible to witness the power, scale, and innovation of American manufacturing companies in person. This article breaks down ten trends and insights at FABTECH 2025 and provides a clear picture of where this country stands in relation to manufacturing equipment, services, and products.
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- Automation is Key
- Innovative Equipment = Innovative Products
- Let’s Talk Tariffs
- Scalable Solutions
- For the Collective Good
- Company Longevity is Not Accidental
- AI is A Tool (Not a Replacement)
- Brand Identity is Crucial
- Making Connections with Podcast Appearances
- American Manufacturing is Alive & Well
#1 – Automation is Key
Automated equipment was everywhere we looked at FABTECH 2025, presenting a clear vision of what large-scale American manufacturing might look like in the coming decade. Industry leaders like FANUC, TRUMPF, and Lincoln Electric all had expansive booth spaces dedicated to showcasing the power and importance of automation. From individual welding robots to fully integrated production lines, it is clear that American manufacturing is closely aligned with automation solutions. With many attendees expressing concerns about improving production efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining quality, it was clear that an automated solution available on the market now can lead to a more successful future.
#2 – Innovative Equipment = Innovative Products
Advancement within any manufacturing sector, at its core, is a process of designing inherently more complex machinery, which then, in turn, allows for greater innovation of finished products. Whether that means developing more advanced tools to machine harder metals, replacing outdated finishing solutions with more sustainable and eco-friendly processes, or refining dies and tools to produce higher quality products with tighter tolerances, innovation at the equipment or tool level results in greater innovation of final products. Walking through any of the hangar-sized halls at FABTECH 2025, it was easy to see that there is no shortage of innovative manufacturing solutions that can help drive significant transformation in the medical, automotive, aerospace, defense, and countless other industries.
#3 – Let’s Talk Tariffs
A relatively straightforward conversation starter at any exhibitor booth was, “How are tariffs impacting your business?” The answers were a bit less straightforward, but all featured a similar theme. The vast majority of businesses responded with something along the lines of, “We understand the intention of these tariffs, but at this point, they’re just creating more confusion at every step of the process.” Employees on either side of the purchasing equation, not to mention brokers navigating shipments across borders, are consistently struggling to determine the right way to approach tariff implementation. This confusion is rippling through the supply chain, and many people we spoke to are waiting for things to have a clear resolution, rather than the waffling back and forth with inconsistent rates and deadline dates.
#4 – Scalable Solutions
Let’s be clear, FABTECH certainly catered to large-scale manufacturers looking to procure new equipment and services to help advance their production capabilities and revenue goals. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see for smaller job shops, fabrication companies, and manufacturers looking to take steps towards a more profitable future. The exhibitors represented the full slate of scalable solutions that can address pressing needs and grow with your business. One example would be the level of robotic automation present, from individual robotic welding machines for high-mix and low-volume orders up to fully automated low-mix high-volume production lines that require virtually zero human input and can operate in lights-out environments. If you attend FABTECH with a specific need, there is a 100% chance you’ll find a solution that fits.
#5 – For the Collective Good
The general feeling at FABTECH 2025 was that every exhibitor was there to support the collective good of American manufacturing. This is certainly the same vibe that Manufacturing Insiders likes to cultivate, and it quickly became a foundational talking point when walking booth to booth. While there were plenty of companies representing the same services, like metal stamping, robotic solutions, sheet metal fabrication, and powder coating, to name a few, it felt like everyone there understood that success is a collective endeavor, and if American manufacturing succeeds, it will bring individual success. With all businesses facing the challenges of tariffs and market uncertainty, it felt as though we were there to take part in something larger.
#6 – Company Longevity is Not Accidental
A considerable number of companies we spoke with stated they’d been in business well over one hundred years, with some even stretching further back. Maintaining a company for a century or longer takes tremendous effort, dedication, and attention to detail. The longevity of these companies, especially their ability to withstand fluctuating conditions and continual innovation, is not something that happened by accident. Whether a third-generation family-owned company like Diversico Industries or a business that’s passed through several different ownership groups, being a leader in the manufacturing space requires considerable dedication and commitment. With plenty of start-up companies in attendance as well at FABTECH 2025, there were countless lessons on display for how to build a successful company and keep coming back year after year.
#7 – AI is a Tool (Not a Replacement)
AI tools and software were everywhere at FABTECH 2025 and look to play a huge part in the drive for automation in manufacturing, regardless of industry or sector. That said, the general takeaway was that AI is a tool to be used by trained staff to optimize manufacturing, not as a replacement for human workers. While there will be plenty of cases where AI tools are used to simplify processes and possibly reduce redundancy, these manufacturing additives still require skilled professionals to integrate correctly. As with any new advancement, there are sure to be growing pains in AI implementation for manufacturing, but after walking the floor at FABTECH, it is clear that the potential is tremendous and the industry as a whole is still at the beginning stages of determining the true capabilities of AI.
#8 – Brand Identity is Essential
Creating a cohesive brand identity from logos to show displays, shirts, and business cards takes dedicated effort and skilled employees to execute well. It is quite simply not enough just to show up to a show of this size; there has to be noticeable effort in the entire booth presentation from the merch giveaways, booth staff, and backdrops or other promotional displays. While there were plenty of perfectly executed brands like Gray Matter Robotics, Dane Manufacturing, and Fabrisonics, there were quite a few companies that could benefit from revamping their trade show marketing materials and might experience better results by doing so. With thousands of exhibitors, standing out amongst the crowd is a tall task, but finding an experienced designer or marketing agency that can produce a unified top-to-bottom brand is essential to being successful at a trade show as large as FABTECH.
#9 – Making Connections with Podcast Appearances
Manufacturing marketing services are complicated and tend to find more success in alternative strategies than the conventional PPC advertising used for consumer goods or retail products. One new wrinkle to help promote niche services or products is appearing on a podcast like Manufacturing Insiders to discuss unique challenges and how each manufacturing company operates in today’s economic conditions. The response to appearing on a future episode was overwhelmingly positive, and many of the business owners, presidents, and CEOs present viewed a potential appearance as an innovative way to promote their brand and help build connections within the industry.
#10 – American Manufacturing is Alive & Well
With never-ending exhibit halls, massive equipment displays, and thousands upon thousands of exhibitors and attendees, it is clear that manufacturing in America is alive and well. Although there are new challenges to overcome with each passing year, the sheer number of companies represented at FABTECH 2025 paints a positive picture for the coming years. As manufacturing in this country continues to reposition itself as a global leader, we can say with confidence that it is in good hands.
Summary of Manufacturing Insiders at FABTECH 2025
FABTECH 2025 highlighted the direction American manufacturing is heading, with automation and AI taking center stage as tools to increase efficiency and quality without replacing skilled labor. Innovative equipment was showcased across industries, proving that advancements in machinery directly fuel better end products. While tariffs remain a source of confusion across supply chains, exhibitors emphasized scalable solutions for both small shops and large operations. A spirit of collective progress ran through the event, reinforced by the longevity of century-old companies alongside forward-thinking startups. Branding and marketing strategies, including podcast appearances, stood out as crucial ways to connect and differentiate in a crowded space. Overall, FABTECH 2025 affirmed that American manufacturing is strong, adaptable, and positioned for a thriving future. Visit FABTECH to learn more about this year’s show and start planning your trip to Las Vegas from October 21 to 23 for FABTECH 2026.