Industrial goods under pressure: How AI is shaping the next era of competitiveness

Industrial Goods is coming under increasing pressure. Rising material costs, growing trade barriers, and intensifying global competition are forcing companies worldwide to act. Profit margins continue to shrink, and many companies are focusing on cost management, tariff reduction, and faster processes to remain competitive. But these short-term measures alone are not enough to secure long-term success.

The latest H&Z Pulse Check 2025 for the second half of the year highlights a clear shift in priorities. Raw material and supply costs remain the main cost drivers, while SG&A spending is expected to rise further in the coming months. At the same time, artificial intelligence has become the central topic for industry executives. Although digital transformation remains a high priority, only 36% of companies currently have a structured GenAI strategy, indicating significant untapped potential.

Today, AI is most commonly used in procurement, research and development, and sales and marketing. The greatest potential, however, lies elsewhere: production efficiency, quality monitoring, and aftersales and service, where adoption remains limited. Concerns around data security and performance validation continue to hold many organisations back. But for those ready to move from experimentation to implementation, AI offers a decisive advantage: faster innovation, better cost control, and a future-ready operating model.

Our Industrial Goods Pulse Check provides exclusive insights into how decision-makers are responding to current market conditions, what sets high-performing companies apart, and where the biggest opportunities for transformation lie. Explore the results, benchmark your organisation against the market, and learn what it takes to set the new standard for industrial competitiveness.

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