Digital Transformation Now 'Essential' for 90% of Manufacturers, Global Study Finds

## Digital Transformation Reaches Tipping Point Across Industrial Sectors Ninety percent of manufacturers now consider digital transformation essential to their operations, according to the *2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report* published by Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation. The Milwaukee-based firm released the findings on 19 May 2026, drawing on a global survey of manufacturers across multiple heavy industries. The report documents how companies are scaling artificial intelligence deployments, strengthening operational resilience, and shifting focus toward measurable, quantifiable outcomes rather than exploratory technology pilots. ### Relevance to the Maritime Supply Chain While the study spans industrial manufacturing broadly, its findings carry direct relevance for the maritime sector. Shipbuilders, marine equipment manufacturers, and port equipment suppliers all operate within the same industrial automation ecosystem the report examines. The accelerating integration of AI-driven process controls, predictive maintenance platforms, and digital twin technologies described in the report mirrors trends already visible in newbuild vessel construction and port terminal operations. For maritime procurement and engineering professionals, the data signals that suppliers across the marine equipment supply chain are under increasing pressure to deliver digitally integrated products and services. Vendors unable to demonstrate smart manufacturing credentials risk losing ground to competitors who can offer tighter quality controls, faster production cycles, and data-driven performance guarantees. ### AI Scaling and Operational Focus According to Rockwell Automation, manufacturers are moving beyond proof-of-concept AI projects and into full-scale operational deployment. The emphasis on 'measurable outcomes' noted in the report reflects a broader industry maturation — organisations are now demanding demonstrable return on investment from digital investments rather than accepting technology adoption as an end in itself. This shift aligns with pressures facing maritime-adjacent manufacturers, including those producing propulsion systems, deck machinery, navigation equipment, and offshore structures, where regulatory scrutiny and customer demands for lifecycle performance data are intensifying. ### Industry Context The report's release comes as the maritime industry itself accelerates its own digital transformation agenda, driven by decarbonisation requirements, autonomous vessel development, and the digitalisation of port logistics. Classification societies, flag states, and major shipowners have all increased expectations around digital documentation, remote monitoring, and data interoperability — creating downstream demand for suppliers who have themselves embraced smart manufacturing practices. The *2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report* is available through Rockwell Automation's official channels.