Rockwell: CPG Industry Now Prioritizes Innovation Over Costs

Analysis reveals CPG leaders are investing in AI and expertise to remain aggressive

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest firm devoted to industrial automation and digital transformation, at this time introduced the outcomes of the tenth annual State of Sensible Manufacturing Report: Shopper Packaged Items (CPG) Version. The findings spotlight how producers are putting better significance on innovation, workforce growth, and long-term development methods.

The CPG trade is going through strain on a number of fronts, from the expansion of retailer manufacturers to the demand for sooner innovation and extra sustainable merchandise. On the identical time, client loyalty is more durable to earn, and expectations for personalization and transparency are rising. In response to this, CPG corporations are transferring away from small-scale expertise pilots and investing in options that ship measurable outcomes throughout the group.

The mixture of workforce coaching, higher use of information, and extra adaptable methods helps these producers keep aggressive whereas managing complexity. And as private-label manufacturers develop and client expectations evolve, CPG leaders are prioritizing investments that assist them compete extra successfully in a crowded and fast-changing market.

Notable Key Traits from 2024 to 2025:

Rising Competitors Leads Trade Considerations:

In 2024, financial uncertainty and inflation have been primary challenges famous in our annual survey. In 2025, competitors has taken the lead, pushed by elevated market strain from private-label merchandise and altering client shopping for habits.

Expertise Must Work for Individuals:

Firms are focusing much less on merely adopting new instruments and extra on ensuring new expertise matches their groups and operations. Usability and scalability at the moment are vital components in technological selections. Capabilities CPG leaders are on the lookout for of their workforce embody: communications/teamwork (86%), adaptability/flexibility (85%), whereas analytical pondering and cybersecurity practices are tied (84%).

AI and Robotics Lead Funding Priorities: 

On the coronary heart of expertise funding selections is a shift in pondering. 70% of CPG producers say they’re investing in AI, robotics, and simulation applied sciences for long-term enterprise development. It is a shift from final yr when expertise supported extra gross sales analytics and course of optimization.

Extra corporations are utilizing knowledge successfully

The variety of producers who say they’re utilizing their knowledge to information decision-making is up from 40% in 2024 to 44% in 2025. AI is enjoying a rising function in knowledge utilization in key areas like high quality management, logistics, and cybersecurity, scoring 5% above the overall common.

Workforce methods are evolving

Whereas 2024 emphasised attracting expert labor, the 2025 report reveals 34% of producers are concentrating extra on coaching present workers on up to date processes, whereas 33% of the main focus is on managing change successfully and enhancing worker retention.

“CPG producers are now not simply reacting to disruption—they’re proactively investing in applied sciences that ship sustainable development and aggressive benefit,” mentioned Steve Deitzer, vice chairman, World Trade, CPG, Rockwell Automation. “This yr’s report reveals a transparent pivot towards long-term pondering, the place AI, automation, and workforce enablement are central to success.”

Scalability and integration at the moment are central to how CPG leaders strategy development. By aligning expertise, individuals and processes, corporations are working to construct extra agile and environment friendly operations that may sustain with market adjustments.

The 2025 State of Sensible Manufacturing Report, based mostly on insights from 174 CPG leaders throughout 15 international locations, is a part of Rockwell Automation’s broader international analysis initiative surveying over 1,500 manufacturing decision-makers. The complete findings of the report will be discovered right here.

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