- APAC manufacturers prioritize digital transformation, but face visibility challenges.
- AI adoption expected to surge by 2029.
- Workforce reskilling and automation implementation are key focus areas.
AI takes center stage
According to Zebra Technologies’ 2024 Manufacturing Vision Study, 87% of Asia Pacific (APAC) manufacturers are prioritizing digital transformation.
The study reveals a significant uptick in AI adoption, with 68% of APAC manufacturers expecting AI to drive growth by 2029, up from 46% in 2024. This surge underscores the industry’s commitment to enhancing visibility and quality throughout the manufacturing process.
Despite the push for digitalization, only 25% of APAC manufacturing leaders report real-time, work-in-progress monitoring across their entire manufacturing process.
The study highlights a substantial visibility gap, with 63% of APAC leaders expecting to increase visibility across production and supply chains by 2029.
However, 38% cite disagreements between IT and OT departments on investment priorities as a key barrier to digital transformation.
Humans and machines, hand in hand
To address these challenges, APAC manufacturers are focusing on workforce development alongside technological advancements. 76% plan to reskill labor to enhance data and technology usage skills, while 75% expect to augment workers with mobility-enabling technology.
The industry is also embracing automation, with plans to implement robotics (72%), machine vision (66%), and RFID (72%) over the next five years.
These initiatives aim to provide workers with high-value tasks and add flexibility to the plant floor, marking a new era of human-machine collaboration in manufacturing.
