AI frees procurement hours
One briefing reports AI is embedded in 97% of workflows while 83% of engineers waste 4+ hours per week on procurement — automating procurement reportedly yields up to 93% efficiency gains, pushing firms to prioritize real‑time visibility and resilient multi‑node supply networks. That mix of stats explains why companies are shifting from speed to stability in their manufacturing strategies. (x.com) (x.com)
Fictiv and MISUMI published the 11th Annual State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain report on Feb. 23, 2026, drawing on a survey of 321 director-level and above manufacturing and supply‑chain leaders across MedTech, climate tech, EV and robotics sectors. (fictiv.com) The report frames AI as mission‑critical for operations, with 95% of respondents saying implementation of AI into manufacturing and supply‑chain operations is vital to their company’s future success. (fictiv.com) Adoption is accelerating: respondents reported an 18‑percentage‑point year‑over‑year increase in AI deployment for design‑for‑manufacturing and supply‑chain management, and usage is concentrated in inventory, quality and production‑planning functions. (fictiv.com) Procurement and supplier sourcing emerged as clear pain points, with the survey finding that majorities view supplier sourcing as too time‑consuming and trade compliance as too complex to manage without outside expertise—trends driving investment in digital procurement tools. (fictiv.com) The study also shows near‑universal demand for partner expertise on tariffs and trade, and widespread reports that rising raw‑material costs are reshaping sourcing strategies across manufacturers. (fictiv.com) As a result, companies told researchers they are building toward regional resilience and greater operational visibility, moving capacity closer to markets and adopting multi‑node, digitally connected networks to limit single‑point failures. (fictiv.com)
