< Back to the full 2026 report on Top Risks Industry 4.0 and beyond: Addressing cyber, talent and AI opportunities in manufacturing and distribution 5 min read 2026 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and OpportunitiesWhile manufacturing and distribution face rising labor costs, policy volatility, and accelerating AI disruption, leaders see a clear path to growth. Protiviti’s 2026 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and Opportunities Report, reflecting insights from 1,540 cross-industry, global board and c-suite executives, shows strong optimism around revenue potential, ecosystem development, and geographic expansion. At the same time, executives are candid about the roadblocks ahead: legacy systems slowing AI integration, intensifying cyber threats, and talent gaps driven by looming retirements. This mix of opportunity and urgency is shaping near-term investment decisions across the industry. Read the full report to see how industry peers are prioritizing investments, modernizing operations, and preparing their organizations for the next wave of transformation.Download the 2026 manufacturing & distribution insights14-minute readWatch the 2026 webinar60-minutes, on-demand Where M&D leaders see the greatest growth opportunities over the next two to three yearsStabilizing trade conditions, AI-driven modernization and collaborative ecosystems position manufacturing and distribution companies to move beyond recent stagnation and capitalize on a wave of anticipated global growth. 68 % Revenue potential 60 % Ecosystem development 54 % Geographic expansion Based on a five-point scale assessing agreement/disagreement. Percentages reflect sum of "Agree completely" and "Agree somewhat" responses. Our webinar series Discover how leading executives are turning today’s top risks—AI, cybersecurity, and talent—into tomorrow’s growth. Join us for actionable insights to help your organization outpace uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Register now Explore featured solutions and industries Pro Digital Hightech Artificial Intelligence (AI) We help organizations reach the possible with AI that’s innovative, controlled, and accountable, focusing on delivering business outcomes, supporting you through change, and building trust through responsible, expert-led implementation. Technology We help organizations modernize with purpose to maximize ROI and drive enterprise impact, transforming technology with speed, accuracy & focused-outcomes. Workforce Transformation We help Manufacturing & Distribution leaders align their people strategy, process designs, and technology solutions to optimize performance, drive growth and create engaging employee experiences. Pro person 3 Supply Chain Optimization & Resilience We help leaders address emerging trends and existing challenges through solutions that position your organization for improved performance and resiliency. Pro Location Globe Manufacturing & Distribution Protiviti partners with leaders to help them achieve greater confidence in these dynamic and ever-changing environments. We aim to better understand the unique strengths, risks, and opportunities of your organization and its future goals. Transportation Consulting In today’s evolving environment, transportation and logistics organizations are transforming to stay competitive. As a trusted advisor, Protiviti provides relevant insights along with strategic vision, proven expertise, and practical experience to help enhance your business value. Construction & Infrastructure At Protiviti, we focus on issues that matter most in the physical world around us, and how we can improve health, education, transport and other asset classes which will sustain our future generations. Get more Top Risks insights Discover our full catalog of insight briefs for additional research findings and expert commentary related to the 2026 report on Top Risks. Insights by industry Insights by organizational role Insights by industry Aerospace & Defense Energy & Utilities Financial Services Healthcare Private Equity Technology, Media & Telecommunications Insights by organizational role Finance Teams Information Security Teams Internal Audit Teams Operations Teams Technology & Data Teams FAQs + EXPAND ALL How prepared are manufacturers to integrate AI at scale? + Most organizations are not fully ready. Executives identify workforce readiness (36%) and integrating AI with legacy systems (36%) as their top barriers, slowing the ability to realize AI’s full value. Protiviti supports leaders in building the modern data foundations, training programs and technology upgrades needed to unlock AI‑enabled productivity. How severe is the talent shortage facing manufacturing and distribution? + The industry faces a significant talent gap, with a quarter of the workforce age 55 or older and millions of roles projected to open as retirements accelerate. Combined with rising labor costs and skill shortages tied to AI and Industry 4.0, this creates operational risk. Protiviti works with organizations to support workforce transformation, upskilling and change enablement programs. Where are manufacturing and distribution companies making their biggest investments right now? + Leaders are prioritizing business process improvements (44%), supply chain management (42%), and infrastructure modernization (39%) to reduce downtime, enhance resilience and improve data integration. Protiviti helps organizations modernize core systems, strengthen operations and implement technologies that support long-term scalability. Why is global trade volatility the top risk for manufacturing leaders? + Executives rank changes in global markets and trade policies as their number-one near-term risk, driven by tariff uncertainty and shifting government policies. These pressures affect production planning, cost structures and supply continuity. Which long-term risks will have the greatest impact on manufacturer competitiveness? + Executives cite customers and competition (45%), markets and economies (41%), and talent challenges (36%) as their top decade-long concerns. These risks signal a shift toward customer-centric models, differentiated offerings and sustained workforce capability. Protiviti supports leaders with strategies and solutions that align innovation, customer experience and workforce resilience. Connect with us David Kupinski David Kupinski is a Managing Director in Protiviti's Business Performance Improvement. He has over 25 years’ experience in providing finance, accounting, and internal audit consulting services to organizations across a variety of industries. David is part of Protiviti’s ... Learn More Subscribe to our thought leadership Get exclusive access to more content and insights to help you stay ahead. Sign up ✕ Scroll to top Introduction Webinar series Featured solutions and industries More Top Risks insights FAQs Connect with us
