New research commissioned by Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK, in collaboration with Manufacturing Management magazine, reveals a manufacturing sector under increasing pressure from rising employment and energy costs, workforce challenges, and limited automation. The survey found that 65% of respondents expect employment costs to increase sharply over the next year, while half anticipate higher energy costs. Workforce issues and employment costs were identified as the most pressing concern by more than a quarter of manufacturers, underscoring the need for more efficient, cost-effective operating models.

At the same time, the research points to continued ambition within the sector. Around 25% of manufacturers plan to scale production by between 21% and 30% over the next 12 months. However, this growth aspiration is constrained by low automation levels, with 45% of respondents reporting that fewer than 10% of their processes are currently automated. Konica Minolta says this gap represents a significant opportunity for manufacturers to use digital transformation to boost productivity and support sustainable growth.

Data management and infrastructure also emerged as key risk areas. More than 40% of respondents still store the majority of their data on-premises, increasing exposure to data loss, damage, or security incidents if systems are not adequately protected. Health and safety remain another ongoing challenge, with nearly one-third of manufacturers reporting between one and five incidents of non-compliance in the past year. When asked about priorities for the year ahead, respondents cited profitability and financial stability, growth and expansion, and business continuity as their top goals.

In response, Konica Minolta is positioning its portfolio of outsourcing, automation, cloud, and intelligent monitoring solutions to help manufacturers address these pressures. Francis Thornhill, head of customer and solutions marketing at Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK, said the findings reflect what the company is hearing directly from customers. He noted that while manufacturers remain ambitious, rising costs, limited automation, and data vulnerabilities are creating real barriers to growth, and that practical, scalable technology is essential to deliver both immediate value and long-term operational resilience.