Tariffs have reshaped the global supply chain, upending long-established networks of materials, vendors, and labor. This disruption poses real challenges — but also unveils a critical opportunity: the chance to reimagine and rebuild American manufacturing from the ground up.
At Automation Alley, we believe disruption fuels innovation. The decoupling of global trade is a call to action to reignite domestic production and strengthen our industrial foundation here at home. We won’t sugarcoat it; this realignment won’t be easy. It will take time. It will be painful in places. But the long-term gains — economic resilience, job creation, and national security — are worth the effort if we stick the landing.
This shift also opens a door for regional collaboration like never before. For too long, manufacturers have competed in silos at home and abroad. Now, we’re being challenged to break down those walls and build partnerships that serve a greater purpose. The future belongs to those who collaborate, adapt, and evolve together.
That’s where our members come in. As an Automation Alley member, your insight, experience, and ingenuity are critical to this effort. You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need to bring your expertise and voice to the table.
This series on Global Trends and Supply chain needs your candid input and perspectives. To achieve this, we asked our members questions around three key topics: tariffs, the definition of digital transformation, and workforce challenges. We need to understand where the momentum is on each of these topics, and how to be proactive in them.
These discussions are encapsulated accurately with supporting data in this Integr8 Playbook. It is a privilege to be the outlet for so many voices representing the breadth of industry at the table. Together, we can embrace change and lay the groundwork for reshoring manufacturing — stronger, smarter, and closer to home.
Let’s get to work.
Read the 2025 Integr8 Playbook, “Global Trends & Supply Chain: Planning for a Shifting World,” here.
